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Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Is it better to submit an optional essay or not?

Hey everyone! I'm working on my college applications and I'm not sure if I should submit an optional essay. Is it better to submit one, or will it hurt my chances if I don't? Thanks for any advice!

11 months ago

Hi there! I went through the college application process with my child recently, and I can tell you that submitting an optional essay can be a great opportunity to showcase more of your personality, interests, and accomplishments. However, it's important to consider the quality of your essay. If you feel confident that you can produce a well-written, engaging essay that adds value to your application, then go for it! On the other hand, if you're short on time or don't have a strong topic in mind, it might be better to focus on perfecting the required components of your application. Colleges usually won't penalize you for not submitting an optional essay, but a poorly-written or rushed essay could potentially hurt your chances. So, do what feels right for you and your situation, and good luck with your applications!

11 months ago

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