<p>Hello, I was looking at the William and Mary Common App, and noticed that there wasn't a writing segment. Is there none? or is it supplementary/optional? If so, where do I find the prompt? I found one that said:</p>
<p>"Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know that nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us, or just make us laugh. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy and with an attitude, but please restrict your submission to what will fit on one sheet of paper."</p>
<p>But I think it might be outdated. Can someone help please?
Thanks- royalpheonix</p>
<p>No, that essay prompt is not obsolete, as that was the very one used in the early decision process (it doesn’t change). When looking at the William and Mary common app, it will be located under “other information,” as W&M has no formal writing supplement. Once you click that tab, you will see that exact essay there. </p>
Wow. Somehow I did not see it on the common app otherwise I would have done it, I made it a point to complete all optional supplements on my applications. Will this affect my chances at all? Would it be possible to email my essay to the admissions counselor?
Go to the WM website and look up your admissions officer. Write to him or her and ask how you can get that in your application now. They seem to place emphasis on this and likely have a strong preference to read it.
That is somewhat unusual. When I applied last year, I distinctly remember it being under supplements. Perhaps they put under other information to emphasize that it is not mandatory. In any case, if any admissions officers are reading this, I think it would make sense to put it back under supplements to avoid situations like the above.
The admissions office stated that it’s optional and you wont be penalized for not writing one, but if you think you can write a strong essay you can certainly try to complete it and update your local admissions officer with it. According to their Admit It blog, “If for any reason we are missing any particular component we will simply email you and ask that you resend whatever is missing. There is no penalty assessed; as long as you submit an application, we will work with you to complete and review it.”