<p>So the optional material are actually incredibly important to the admissions committee. To see why, I’ll post a paragraph from my college application [guide](<a href=“http://omar-abu.blogspot.com/2008/07/applying-to-college-good-bad-and-ugly_31.html]guide[/url]:”>Applying to College - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly):</a></p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So I realize you aren’t sure about going, but what happens if you apply and then become sure? That happened to me. I was not intent on MIT until November when I had started reading the blogs and becoming enthused about the school’s culture and what it stands for. By that time it was too late. I hadn’t sent in any updates and left the optional material untouched. I suggest doing everything possible no matter what. It won’t take too much extra time.</p>
<p>The interview I had with a local MIT alum was informal. We met at a Starbucks and discussed a whole range of topics from my goals to neuroscience. It lasted two hours and by the end I felt confident and excited. The alum seemed happy with me. I think it’s hard to throw an interview unless you have nothing relevant to say. For my interviews, I found practicing the night before beneficial. Try to cycle through all the extracurriculars you have done and think about why you have whatever goals it is you hope to achieve.</p>