<p>My admissions counselor mentioned this briefly in her presentation. Her main thing was “Is this applicant interested in us?” One of the ways you show interest is by writing the optional essay. I wrote my optional essay in the ten minutes before midnight for EA. I got in. I just wrote what naturally came to me, and I think it sounded like I was talking to them. If it’s stilted and forced, then I wouldn’t submit it- but, you have more time, so I’d work on it a bit and submit it- if it’s decent, it will only help you. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>