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icedcoffee13
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Optional essay 15 Apr 2024, 09:58
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For first time applicants, did you write an optional essay for your application?

The prompt stated "You may use this space to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson."

If I feel like I do not have any aspects of my application that do not accurately reflect my potential for success, should I still fill the optional essay? If so, what should I write?­
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Optional essay 16 Apr 2024, 06:24
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icedcoffee13
For first time applicants, did you write an optional essay for your application?

The prompt stated "You may use this space to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson."

If I feel like I do not have any aspects of my application that do not accurately reflect my potential for success, should I still fill the optional essay? If so, what should I write?­
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Hello icedcoffee13,

Hope this finds you well.

Generally, we recommend that one uses the Optional Essay in an optimum manner; however, the question here is fairly specific; hence, if you feel like there is nothing that you wish to explain separately, you may skip answering this essay prompt altogether. 

The following video will give you a better understanding of how one should write an Optional Essay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIGsd4Sm9r0

Hope this helps.

All the best!
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MBAGuide
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Optional essay 16 Apr 2024, 06:43
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icedcoffee13
For first time applicants, did you write an optional essay for your application?

The prompt stated "You may use this space to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson."

If I feel like I do not have any aspects of my application that do not accurately reflect my potential for success, should I still fill the optional essay? If so, what should I write?­
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icedcoffee13
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You do not need to write the optional essay if you have nothing else to explain. Sometimes, people who otherwise have an excellent profile but feel that their sectional scores do not accurately reflect their abilities use the optional essay to explain this because they have nowhere else in the application to talk about it.

I understand that most applicants address profile shortcomings in the optional essay, such as gaps in the resume. But if I were advising an applicant, I would not limit the discussion of the gaps to the optional essay. Instead, I would integrate them into other essays, explaining the rationale in the personal narrative essay and perhaps adding more in the extracurricular activities section, outlining the activities I pursued and the growth and development of perspective I experienced during that time. Unless the gap is related to a serious health issue, the best B-schools want to understand how an applicant used that time purposefully. Personally, I think it's better to be proactive about an area that might raise questions in order to manage this in the application.

Get personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. Reapplying? Get a free ding analysis

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting 
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­
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Optional essay 16 Apr 2024, 06:54
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Hi icedcoffee13

This is a prime opportunity where effective brainstorming can truly make a difference. I caution against leaving this section blank. Instead, I urge you to thoroughly analyze all your essays and discern any aspects of your profile or personality that have not been adequately showcased elsewhere in the application. For instance, you may have a passion for photography or exploring nature through hiking and travelling, activities that may not have been pursued professionally or certified but represent integral facets of your character/personality displaying your leadership potential or natural inclination for sustainability etc. It is essential to introspect and identify something that authentically complements your application.

introspect and find something that suitably fills it

Admitsure
w w w . A d m i t s u r e . c o m
icedcoffee13
For first time applicants, did you write an optional essay for your application?

The prompt stated "You may use this space to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson."

If I feel like I do not have any aspects of my application that do not accurately reflect my potential for success, should I still fill the optional essay? If so, what should I write?­
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Optional essay 16 Apr 2024, 13:02
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icedcoffee13
For first time applicants, did you write an optional essay for your application?

The prompt stated "You may use this space to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson."

If I feel like I do not have any aspects of my application that do not accurately reflect my potential for success, should I still fill the optional essay? If so, what should I write?­
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icedcoffee13 - In MBA essays, usually 'less is more' i.e. unless you have something specific to say, it's better not to.

Particular to this prompt, if your GMAT/ GRE scores (including sectional splits) or GPA were lower than average, if you had any career breaks, if your choice of recommenders was unusual, or if there's any glaring concern that you haven't addressed elsewhere in the application, this essay is your opportunity.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat
W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com­