How many optional essays: or is more better than less Forum

[dabigchina]

Hi TLS. I was talking to my girlfriend and the topic of optional essays came up. I've always heard that writing optional essays really makes very little difference. However, she told me that she wrote every single optional essay for every single t14 (she is currently attending one).

Do you all think this is as crazy as I do? Should I attempt to do what she did?

[schmooky]

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[malleus discentium]

Optional essays for middle-of-the-pack T14s are important if you are a YP candidate. More is not better in law school apps but if they specifically offer you an optional essay it's usually a good idea.

[isuperserial]

Hi TLS. I was talking to my girlfriend and the topic of optional essays came up. I've always heard that writing optional essays really makes very little difference. However, she told me that she wrote every single optional essay for every single t14 (she is currently attending one).

Do you all think this is as crazy as I do? Should I attempt to do what she did?

Optional essays show to the school, at least in theory, that you're doing more than just submitting the same app that you submitted to everyone else and throwing a little dough. You're hopefully investing time and thought specifically for them, and this can give you an edge because schools like people who are willing to go the extra mile. It's not going to get a person at the 25th percentile for LSAT and GPA in, but if you're either a bit of a borderline candidate or at risk for yield protection, this can sway things in your favor.

Long story short; fuck yeah do it if you have the time to write a good one.

[oxie]

Hi TLS. I was talking to my girlfriend and the topic of optional essays came up. I've always heard that writing optional essays really makes very little difference. However, she told me that she wrote every single optional essay for every single t14 (she is currently attending one).

Do you all think this is as crazy as I do? Should I attempt to do what she did?

Penn had four optional essay topics last cycle -- you definitely don't need to answer ALL of those. But if your numbers are at or above a school's medians, I agree that writing a good "Why X" essay can be really important for avoiding YP, particularly at Michigan, UVA and Penn. It's also not a bad idea to write the optional essay for Duke and an expanded PS for Berkeley, although my impression is that they're both a little lighter with YP.

[riverwater]

Write them all and write them well.