Optional COVID essay-- to write, or not to write?

Mwfan1921
Sun, 15 Nov 2020 15:21:13 +0000

Fundamentally you have to listen to what the AOs of each school are communicating about the covid question. So do those virtual information sessions, or do a Q&A session with your AO (if offered), and ask that question.

I have heard a number of AOs say to do #1…complete the covid essay only if there were truly tough conditions, e.g., family death/sickness due to covid, trying to study at home with 8 siblings in a small apartment, no wifi, had to take care of siblings while mom/dad worked, etc.

I also have heard some AOs say #2 would be ok.

IMO, I would want to know what the stance of each college is on this question, and submit my application accordingly. Doing the research and gaining insights to the admission process at a given school can give an applicant an advantage. Obviously, you don’t want to send a covid essay like #2 to an AO who clearly states in their info sessions to only answer that in extreme cases.