Please help me choose an optional HBS essay.

Launched September 22, 2008
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I'm confused between the following two optional HBS essays

1. Write a cover letter to your application introducing yourself to the Admissions Board.
2. Discuss how you have engaged with a community or organization.


I am wondering if the 'cover letter' is meant to be a "Tell us more about yourself" essay. I have, in the 'career vision' essay mentioned my association with a certain Chamber of Commerce and touched upon the work I was doing there, and therefore am leaning towards the 'community engagement' essay to mention , in detail, the work I've done there and the initiatives I've taken.

Now, I know that the entire set of essays should read, as someone put it, "like chapters of the same book". However, I can use the 'cover letter' to portray my development process, my life choices, and, generally, my life experiences.

I wish I could write both of them, but I can't. So I've to choose between one of them. Do you think the HBS AdComm would be more interested to know my association with the organisation, or about me in general?
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