What do you write in an optional college essay?

1. Picking a value or fundamental truth about yourself that will humanize you to admissions officers and tell them something important about yourself.
2. Identifying an experience that exemplifies that value or fundamental truth.

What are colleges not looking for in essays?

College essay topics to avoid also include anything that's highly personal or a delicate subject. For example, avoid doing an essay that provides too much detail on an illness, disability, or injury, especially a severe one.

What should you not write your college essay on at least 5 topics *?

Should I answer the optional essay for college application?

When should you not answer an optional essay prompt? If you do not have anything substantial to say about the topic, or if the question does not apply to you at all, these are good reasons to skip an optional prompt. No reader wants to spend time on an essay that essentially tells them nothing.

Can a bad college essay negatively affect my application?

Weak essays get skimmed. If a student's essay isn't great OR good, the admission officer will probably just skim past the essay and move right on to your transcript and your test scores to evaluate your candidacy for admission. Bad essays don't get read.

How many words is the Harvard optional essay?

The optional essay has no limit, but it's best to write around 500-700 words. You're given nine topic options, one of which is “a topic of your choice.” No matter what you write, be sure that your essay is specific and descriptive.

Can you get into Harvard without optional essay?

The Harvard supplement essay, as it's known, is completely optional—you may, but do not need to, write this essay and submit it with your application.

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.

Is it OK to say I in a college essay?

Authenticity is Key

Not only is it fine to make “I” statements in your application essays, but colleges expect your essays to sound like you, too! Always be yourself in your application, not the candidate you think admissions committees want to see.

How do you write an optional essay for a low GPA?

Offer context for a low GPA.

For example, own that you were not mature enough to focus on academics early in college, and then offer an example of how you are now ready for rigorous academic work. Consider taking a quant class for academic credit to demonstrate you can master the topic with an A or B grade.

How does the optional essay affect SAT score?

The essay is optional and will not be factored into your overall SAT score. The essay scores will be shown separately on the report.

Should I talk about academics in my college essay?

You don't need to write about a particular extracurricular activity or academic achievement unless you feel that it has some special relevance in your personal development. Remember — the admissions committee already has your application so you don't need to rehash that information.

What two mistakes students make when writing their college essays?

Is it OK to exaggerate on college essays?

If you have the financial resources to invest in a college essay coach that's also an alternative. Be honest: Avoid exaggerating your accomplishments just to impress the readers. Make sure you're writing about experiences that are real and genuinely important to you.

What is too personal for a college essay?

Fights/ Disagreements: Whether it's with friends, parents, teachers, etc, this isn't a good thing to write about. Think about how the reader, someone who doesn't know you, could interpret it.

Do college admissions officers read your whole essay?

Yes, every college essay is read if the college has asked for it (and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college's review process. It will be anywhere from one reader to four readers.

Should I submit my common app essay if it's optional?

Even if a college does NOT require the Personal Essay, you may opt to submit it to that college. You are allowed unlimited edits to the essay after your first application submission.

Should I do a college interview if its optional?

Even if an interview is described as optional or recommended but not required, you should schedule an interview. Interviews help a school to evaluate you as a person and help you to evaluate the school. Interviews are also a good way of demonstrating interest.

What are 3 good topics for a college essay?

Can I talk about addiction in my college essay?

Likewise, if a story of addiction and recovery is an essential part of your past, it may be a worthy topic. However, students should never mention casual use of drugs or alcohol. The same goes for any illegal acts. It sounds obvious enough, but you'd be surprised!

What is the shortest college essay?

The shortest word limits for college essays are generally around 200 words, less than half a single-spaced page. Seldom will you see a word limit higher than about 600 words which are over one single-spaced page. College essays, most of the time, are always short: between 200 and 650 words.