Hey! I'm working on my college applications, and some of them have optional essays. Should I submit these, or is it better to focus on the required essays? Thanks for your help!
Hi there! I completely understand the dilemma of whether or not to submit an optional essay. My own child faced this while applying to colleges just a few years ago. In my opinion, it's important to consider the prompt and whether you have anything valuable and unique to add to your overall application if you choose to write the optional essay. If you think it would provide a fresh perspective or showcase an important aspect of your personality, achievements, or experiences, then go for it! However, if you feel that it would simply reiterate what's already in your required essays, it might be better to focus on making those required essays as strong as possible. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but remember that optional essays can be a great opportunity to further illustrate your fit for a particular college and provide additional context for admissions officers. Best of luck with your applications!
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