Should you write a personal essay for a college that says it is optional?

The answer, in short, is yes. You will not be penalized for not writing these college essays. However, if you have something meaningful or worthwhile to talk about, you should absolutely write the optional essay. Doing so will add more dimension to your application and further demonstrate your strong writing abilities.

Should I submit my essay if it's optional?

Most experts recommended that applicants only use optional essays to inform the admissions committee of extenuating circumstances, anomalies in their backgrounds, or in some rare cases, an extraordinary accomplishment not covered by the required prompts.

What do you write in an optional college essay?

Some optional prompts ask applicants to recount a circumstance that affected them, or a way in which they exhibit a talent or skill; others are “slice of life” questions that give applicants opportunities to share something about themselves or their mindset that is unique and interesting, apart from what they've ...

What not to write in a personal college essay?

Inappropriate Topics

Stay far, far away from anything to do with illegal activity, alcohol, substance use, and anything else following these themes. You don't set yourself up for success using topics like these. The admissions committee could cast judgment, and you're certainly not putting your best foot forward.

Is it bad to not submit the personal essay?

Submitting materials when they ask you not to only shows you can't follow directions. However, if it says a personal statement is optional, it's almost always a good idea to send it—especially if it's well written, demonstrates your positive qualities, and adds something new to your application.

Common App Tip: Are Optional Essay Questions REALLY Optional?

Do personal essays really matter?

The essay gives you a voice. It provides the admission people with who you are as a person, what your values and beliefs are, and wether your a good fit for the school. Thus, the essay somewhat matters, however your gpa, standardized testing, and activities are the most important.

Can a bad essay hurt your application?

The essay is not the most important part of your application—your transcript is—but the essay can be a critical factor in the process, and a poorly written college essay is, at best, a wasted opportunity. So your essay has to be good.

Should I write a sad college essay?

Avoid writing a sob story: Your essay should not be an attempt to gain sympathy from the admissions officers. Instead, it should convey important aspects of your personal growth, values, or resilience in the face of adversity.

Is it okay to write about depression in a college essay?

Mental health history or a disability might be an integral part of who a student is, but that doesn't necessarily make it relevant to a college application. Keep in mind that it is actually illegal for colleges to ask for these types of details about your life because it can be considered discrimination.

Is name dropping bad in college essays?

Consider your impact carefully before name dropping specific professors. This may be appropriate to include if the professor's research covers a specific academic interest of yours or if you've read a book they've published. However, steer away from browsing the school's website just to drop in a professor's name.

Are Colgate essays really optional?

Applicants should submit responses to the optional supplemental prompts based on personal preference. Those who choose not to submit responses will be at no disadvantage in the application review process.

Is the Harvard optional essay really optional?

Considering whether to write an optional statement? If you complete your personal statement and still feel that you have more to share, an optional statement provides you with an opportunity to do so.

Can I get into Harvard without the optional essay?

Harvard requires the submission of the personal essay with your application. We also offer an opportunity to add an additional information.

Do colleges look at optional report?

Optional Report (OR)

The OR can also be used to correct any errors previously submitted. It should not be used as a substitute for the Mid Year or Final Report and can only be submitted once an application year. If desired, colleges can choose to separate transcripts from the Optional Report.

Does the optional essay affect ACT score?

An image of your essay will be available to your high school and the colleges to which you have ACT report your scores from that test date. Taking the writing test does not affect your subject area scores or your Composite score.

What happens if you submit the wrong essay to a college?

If your mistake is fairly trivial, you have two choices: you can leave your application as is (trusting that admissions won't judge little mishaps harshly!) or you can send in corrections. For example, if you made a copy-paste error in one of your college essays, it should be a relatively simple fix.

Is it OK to write about anxiety in a college essay?

If a student feels that they must discuss their mental health, they should do so in the “Additional Information” section of the college application, not the Personal Statement. Depending on the application, students may also want to attach a note from a psychiatrist or therapist.

Is it bad to talk about anxiety in college essays?

Conventional wisdom would caution students against discussing mental health issues in their applications. College essay consultants have discouraged students choosing it as a topic in the past. However, we also encourage students to be bold, speak their truth, and stand out from the crowd.

Is it okay to talk about trauma in a college essay?

While it's true that some students may have experienced personal trauma that has shaped them into the person they are today, this is not a requirement for writing a strong personal statement.

Do sob story college essays work?

Students need not make up sob stories to improve their cases for admission to elite universities. In fact, we always discourage students from telling sob stories. We don't want students writing about illnesses that they, their parents, or grandparents have faced.

How do you not write a boring college essay?

Show Don't Tell

As you expand on whatever theme you've decided to explore in your essay, remember to show, don't tell. The most engaging writing “shows” by setting scenes and providing anecdotes, rather than just providing a list of accomplishments and activities. Reciting a list of activities is also boring.

Is it bad to tell a story in a college essay?

In your own voice, tell a story that reveals a defining moment that helped to shape who you are today and influences who you'll be tomorrow. In other words, your college essay should give the reader a real sense of your unique personality, characteristics, and qualities.

Is lying on a college essay illegal?

First, we will deal with the easy bit: if you knowingly employ deception (stating something on the application that you don't believe is true) in order to receive an advantage (admission to college), then that is most definitely fraud.

What is inappropriate to write about in a college essay?

Avoid topics that are: Overly personal (e.g. graphic details of illness or injury, romantic or sexual relationships) Not personal enough (e.g. broad solutions to world problems, inspiring people or things) Too negative (e.g. an in-depth look at your flaws, put-downs of others, criticizing the need for a college essay)

Can a college essay make or break you?

It's not “make or break” and it's not irrelevant. It's a factor in an overall portfolio of an application. Typically less important than grades and coursework, less or equal to standardized testing, equal to EC, more important than geography, work history, etc.