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Optional Essays

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raptr
Manager
Manager
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 146
Own Kudos [?]: 7 [0]
Given Kudos: 5
Schools:CBS, MIT, Kellogg, Wharton
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Optional Essays [#permalink] New post   15 Nov 2007, 23:01
This is something that I know nothing about. Please enlighten me. Should I use the optional essays considering that I am submitting a 1000-word response to the mandatory essay?

First, I don't think I can add anything relevant that would amount to a whole essay. Second, I am paranoid and see the optional essay as something that would only increase the probability that will I make a silly little mistake which will make me look like an idiot...

Thanks
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KingKREEP
Current Student
Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 570
Own Kudos [?]: 73 [0]
Given Kudos: 3
WE 1: Hi-tech Product Development
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[#permalink] New post   15 Nov 2007, 23:03
You can use the optional essay to explain gaps in work-ex, gaps in education, a bad GPA, etc. My advice would be to use it only if it is really necessary.
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shmegs
Senior Manager
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Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 484
Own Kudos [?]: 19 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
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[#permalink] New post   15 Nov 2007, 23:37
I have a slightly different take, everyone has one area of their app which is weak (work ex. gpa, gmat etc) use the optional essay. Especially for schools like Cornell, Darden etc. which have crazy word limits and limited essays it's a great place to add information that explains away a weakness. But as KK said do not use it to talk about something other than red flag issues.
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kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 699 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
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[#permalink] New post   16 Nov 2007, 17:13
do a search in this forum, there is another thread that discusses optional essays. But in short, for Haas and UCLA, optional essays can be used to talk about a SIGNIFICANT part of your profile that has not been addressed by the other essays.

Good luck! :)
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
[#permalink]
16 Nov 2007, 17:13

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