I’m applying to UNC Early Action as an out-of-state student, and I’m running short on time. Right now, I’m prioritizing shortening my personal statement and finishing the second required supplement.
Given the time constraint, would it be better to submit an Honors College essay that isn’t very strong, or should I leave it out altogether?
Leave it out. For UNC out-of-state, your personal statement and required supplements need to be as strong as humanly possible.
A rushed, weak essay won't get you into Honors Carolina anyway, and submitting a half-baked piece can drag down the overall polish of your application. Put 100% of your remaining time into making your main essays shine.
I’d finish your personal statement and required supplement first, then see how much time you have left. If the Honors essay answers the prompt and says something meaningful about you, it doesn’t need to be perfect. But if it’s rushed or mostly generic, I’d leave it out rather than take time away from the required essays.
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