BU Optional essay - yea or nay? Forum

[bostonjune2010]

I'm a 3.5/163 applicant, certain of strong letters of rec, personal statement that I'm confident in. Also a BU undergrad.

My question is, do I do this optional essay? When I read "optional" on an admissions application, all I can see is, "mandatory if you want to get in."

My issue is that my personal statement is already heavily geared towards demonstrating my diversity, and BU's optional essay is a diversity prompt, not a why X prompt.

So I suppose what I'm really asking is, is this essay truly optional? Or will not writing it hurt my chances of admission?

[SAE]

I'm a 3.5/163 applicant, certain of strong letters of rec, personal statement that I'm confident in. Also a BU undergrad.

My question is, do I do this optional essay? When I read "optional" on an admissions application, all I can see is, "mandatory if you want to get in."

My issue is that my personal statement is already heavily geared towards demonstrating my diversity, and BU's optional essay is a diversity prompt, not a why X prompt.

So I suppose what I'm really asking is, is this essay truly optional? Or will not writing it hurt my chances of admission?

fixed

[bostonjune2010]

3.5 and 163 being within BU's average range, I'm gonna say you don't need to be a dick about it

[Big Tuna]

.

[SAE]

3.5 and 163 being within BU's average range, I'm gonna say you don't need to be a dick about it

Those numbers are on or below the 25th percentiles for BU. So unless you are a URM (which you haven't noted) or have won the Nobel Prize, I would seriously consider retaking or other schools.

http://bu.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats

[Iconoclast]

An optional essay is an extra chance to tell the adcomm more about you.

Unless you think that the adcomm knowing more about you will hurt your chances, you should write any optional essays that are offered.

[kalvano]

An optional essay is an extra chance to tell the adcomm more about you.

Unless you think that the adcomm knowing more about you will hurt your chances, you should write any optional essays that are offered.

Pretty sure they already know all they need to know.

I'm a 3.5/163 applicant

[Thirteen]

An optional essay is an extra chance to tell the adcomm more about you.

Unless you think that the adcomm knowing more about you will hurt your chances, you should write any optional essays that are offered.

This. With your numbers, you aren't an auto-admit. You need to convince them that you are serious about attending BU in the fall, and give them a reason to offer admission.

[Grizz]

An optional essay is an extra chance to tell the adcomm more about you.

Unless you think that the adcomm knowing more about you will hurt your chances, you should write any optional essays that are offered.

This. With your numbers, you aren't an auto-admit. You need to convince them that you are serious about attending BU in the fall, and give them a reason to offer admission.

In fact, you many be a straight reject.

[deadhipsters]

OP: You are more than likely an auto-deny at BU. I think you are being naïve about the admissions process. You simply have nothing to offer in terms of numbers or diversity. Retake. And plan on getting above 165. Your GPA is low for that school as well.

[JusticeHarlan]

I'm a 3.5/163 applicant, certain of strong letters of rec, personal statement that I'm confident in. Also a BU undergrad.

My question is, do I do this optional essay? When I read "optional" on an admissions application, all I can see is, "mandatory if you want to get in."

My issue is that my personal statement is already heavily geared towards demonstrating my diversity, and BU's optional essay is a diversity prompt, not a why X prompt.

So I suppose what I'm really asking is, is this essay truly optional? Or will not writing it hurt my chances of admission?

Why not call your standard personal statement the optional diversity statement for the purposes of the BU application, and write a new essay, heavily "Why BU"-centric and call it your personal statement? They'll read both (assuming adcoms do actually read these things).

Also,

3.5 and 163 being within BU's average range, I'm gonna say you don't need to be a dick about it

Range is meaningless. It's all about medians. While 25th-75th percentile are listed in US News, its the medians that actually affect the rankings. Unless you're at or above at least one median, you'll hurt them in the rankings and would need something else (such as URM status, etc) to make it worth it for them to take you. It's just the nature of the game.

[bostonjune2010]

Thanks to everyone who posted constructive replies.

To everyone sitting around trying to break people's dreams because this forum is full of irrational people who break down because they got a 170...yeah, thanks, I think I've learned what I needed to (that I need to just stay off of this forum). BU is a first choice, I'm well aware that I'm not an auto-admit.

[romothesavior]

Retake.

[bk1]

Realism, breaking dreams left and right.

The best advice you can get out of this thread is retake if you want BU.

[deadhipsters]

You're blowing 70 dollars on the application fee. But, while you're at it, you may as well throw in your application at Harvard. I hear that's in Boston too.

[romothesavior]

3.5 and 163 being within BU's average range|

No, they are not. 163 is below the 25th and 3.5 is at the 25th. You are an auto-rejection, even if your optional essay is worthy of the NYT best seller list and written in gold ink and signed in unicorn blood.

fwiw, my buddy had a 164 and a 3.90 and was WL--> rejected from BU.

[Cardboardbox]

Thanks to everyone who posted constructive replies.

To everyone sitting around trying to break people's dreams because this forum is full of irrational people who break down because they got a 170...yeah, thanks, I think I've learned what I needed to (that I need to just stay off of this forum). BU is a first choice, I'm well aware that I'm not an auto-admit.

No one's trying to break any dreams, they are just being realistic (and some a little more blunt than others). In all honesty, if you want BU you MUST retake. Look at lawschoolpredictor.com plugging in your numbers you get a straight deny.

I know doing the LSAT all over again isn't ideal but alot of people have retaken with great payoffs. You've still got october.

[kalvano]

Thanks to everyone who posted constructive replies.

To everyone sitting around trying to break people's dreams because this forum is full of irrational people who break down because they got a 170...yeah, thanks, I think I've learned what I needed to (that I need to just stay off of this forum). BU is a first choice, I'm well aware that I'm not an auto-admit.

The harsh light of reality burns another disenchanted soul with its intensity.

[romothesavior]

By the way, is there anything worse than trying to quickly make a small edit to a post, only to find that someone has posted immediately after you so now it says that your post has been "edited 1 time in total?"

It makes me want to punch babies.

[Cardboardbox]

By the way, is there anything worse than trying to quickly make a small edit to a post, only to find that someone has posted immediately after you so now it says that your post has been "edited 1 time in total?"

It makes me want to punch babies.

>.> wasn't me...

[Thirteen]

Retake.

If you want to go to BU, retaking is your best option.

[nycparalegal]

I hate to say this but you are probably an automatic deny. Please feel free to come back and update us with your application.

[username99]

I was waitlisted there with lower numbers a few years ago. So give it a shot! What do you have to lose besides an app fee?

Speaking of which, I'm at 3.47 and 167. How's that fare for BU? My previous app there was over five years ago with a lower lsat score.

[Burger in a can]

If you're going to apply, absolutely write the optional essay. I was waitlisted at BU with a 165/3.4, which were pretty much auto-ding numbers for BU this year. I withdrew so I can't tell you whether I would have made it in off the WL (99% sure I wouldn't have) but hey, a WL is better than a ding, and for all I know my essay could have been my lifeline into the waiting list.

Also, advice for life in general: When applying for ANYTHING (school, job, grant, etc) if there is an "optional" portion to the application, do it. Why? Because neglecting it says that you could have gone the extra mile, but were a little snoozy.

[GoogleScholar]

You're blowing 70 dollars on the application fee. But, while you're at it, you may as well throw in your application at Harvard. I hear that's in Boston too.

Harvard is in Cambridge.


OP, retake if you really want BU Law.