Is it bad to not write an optional essay?

You should write the optional essay if you actually have something substantial to say about it. They can smell a weak, insincere, or forced essay from a mile away. Submitting an essay that’s not “real” will hurt you more than simply forgoing the essay at all.

Should I submit my college essay if its optional?

If a college says the essay is “optional,” you should still send one. It can only help you. The reason essay optional schools include that option is so when they are deciding between students with similar qualifications, they can look to see if there are other possible factors to judge.

Should I answer optional questions on college applications?

By answering optional questions, you can highlight your desirable skills, experiences, or elements of your background. This will help the admissions committee get a well-rounded picture of who you are as an applicant and how you will contribute to the incoming class. 2. Mitigate any weaknesses in your application.

Is optional essay really optional?

Optional essays may help schools differentiate between students with similar qualifications. In addition, a strong “optional” essay gives the admissions officer more information to consider in their decision. However, there is at least one exception to the “rule” that optional essays aren’t really optional.

How long should an optional college essay be?

About 250 words will usually suffice. DO write an actual essay, not just a word bank. If you are going to ask the admissions committee to take the extra time to read it, you should put the effort in to submit something that is complete.

How much do essays matter for college?

Q: How much do essays matter? A: It depends on the college, but generally between 10\%-30\%. Essays tend to matter more for small schools, or schools who look at applications holistically.

Are optional essays really optional?

Should I submit a resume with my college application?

The Short answer is YES! Your activity résumé will be a key element in your college applications (and even applications for some honor societies, scholarships, and summer programs). Of the roughly 900 colleges that accept the Common Application, about ⅓ provide you with the opportunity to upload your résumé.

Are essays bad?

The essay is a bad way to teach writing for most beginning and intermediate writing classes…from first grade through college. They don’t learn to organize their writing efficiently for the reader to keep the reader’s level of effort low. They don’t understand the principles of document design for print and e-docs.

Do essays matter more than grades?

Essays are actually ahead of the 20\% for grades and coursework, 15\% for test scores, and 10\% for recommendations and interviews. You might be surprised to learn that essays are that important, but keep in mind that at top schools, there are at least 4 academically-qualified candidates for every open spot.