<p>You don’t have to write that one. I didn’t, and was accepted. Tada! Anecdotal proof that it isn’t required for admission (hint: “optional” is an honest adjective in this case).</p>
<p>But it might help. I also didn’t get a scholarship. I didn’t write it because I’d put off uploading and finalizing my application until the day before or close to it, and didn’t give myself time. I regretted it a little (who knows what it could have done?), but it’s an essay.</p>
<p>If you have something important, meaningful, interesting, or personal (you’re the judge of this) that (you think) will add something good to your application, then do it. Don’t just write the essay because you think you should fill that space.</p>