Optional Question Essay

Expert replies

Vitalina: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 116; Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:30 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 3 times; GMAT Score:670

by Vitalina » Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:43 am

Hello,

I have a question:

Some schools ask for an optional essay to be submitted with application: that we applicants write some extra information that can potentially help MBA admission people 'get to know' us better.

I wonder, how important is it to write it? I have put all my 'importand stories' into other essays. I can think of writing something for this additional essay, but maybe it will be better to save the ad person from reading an extra page? not really sure how to handle this...

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Stacy Blackman | Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:43 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:41 am

Dear Vitalina,

The optional essay is just that--an option. You are not required to nor expected to write something. More and more, schools are discouraging applicants from writing the optional essay unless they need to explain something in their profile like being expelled from school or a large gap in employment. So, I don't think you should feel compelled to submit something just to submit something. Go with your application how you feel it is at its strongest and best.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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Vitalina: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 116; Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:30 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 3 times; GMAT Score:670

by Vitalina » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:46 pm

Hi Lisa,

Yes, that's what I thought. Poor admission officer has enough without this extra (optional) essay to read

Thanks for your advice!

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