<p>Thanks for the advice! I’d agree that I would want to make this brief, but a couple of schools on my list require an additional 500 word essay on any topic so I would plan to put a fairly extensive essay in that slot. I do think that the anecdotal type essay may be appropriate here. </p>
<p>Also, my online school is very rigorous. While I agree I should cover my bases, I also have to point out that my school sends at least a few kids to MIT every year, 3 to columbia this year etc out of a class of only 30. (It’s affiliated with Stanford Univ which I think helps the stigma with online education). Also, I have a combined GPA from online and normal school of 3.9, and SAT scores at 2370… I think I have a shot at top schools, though I realize it’s a long shot.</p>