Which schools ask for optional essays?

lsnnnnn0011 · November 2016

I know Yale, Northwestern, UVA, Michigan ask for optional essays...are there any others among T14 schools?
should I write optional essays?

Cant Get Right · November 2016

Most schools that I've seen have prompts/allow for optional essays. You should write an optional essay if you have something to say. If you don't have anything meaningful to write about, then that essay is, at best, not going to help you.

Alex · November 2016

@lsnnnnn0011 said:
should I write optional essays?

I love how @"Cant Get Right" has worded it. Essentially if you are BS'ing a bit too much, admissions people will pick up on it and a "Why X" essay could end up hurting you. I think they'll suspect you're just applying to scholarship negotiation and want to yield protect.
This is something I have heard verified from admissions professionals, so I think it is important to consider before writing one.

On the flip side, it isn't hard to write a good "Why X" if you really have good reasons and honestly want to attend a particular school.

If you can, though, I would always recommend trying to write one.

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