<p>how optional is the optional essay?
does it change your application if you don’t have it?</p>
<p>I too was wondering about this, and also if it is acceptable to write about a favorite thing that isn’t necessarily a “work.” I was planning on writing about my favorite type of pencil until I reexamined the prompt and saw it encouraged (I use this lightly) writing about books, movies, music, art, poetry, etc.</p>
<p>If you can write it, write it.</p>
<p>My impression is that they make it optional to maintain relatively high application numbers… if they required it and fewer applied as a result, that wouldn’t help them.</p>
<p>stbs-- write about whatever works for you.</p>