There are many instances in which it is helpful – sometimes it’s even expected – to add additional information to one’s application profile. However, it’s important to understand that the Optional Essay is truly optional. Applicants should avoid writing an Optional Essay based on the idea that ‘more is better.’ In this blog post, we will indicate when it is appropriate or expected to utilize the Optional Essay in one’s application.
Explaining a Weakness
The most common reason that we advise applicants to write an Optional Essay is to address a weak spot in their profile, such as a notably low GPA or a gap in their work history. There is often a perfectly reasonable explanation for a low GPA (a family issue, or involvement in sports as an athlete) or period of unemployment (military service followed by a major surgery). In situations that are more challenging to describe or validate, it’s best to tell the truth, highlight self-knowledge, and point out personal growth. For example, Rebecca admits that her immature approach to time management as an undergraduate caused her grades to suffer. So Rebecca could use the optional essay to point to her four years as a professional – during which time she has grown into a detail-oriented project manager and has been promoted twice – as proof that she can be trusted to take a diligent approach to MBA studies.
Personal Circumstances
After university, Freddie opted to take a job close to home so that he could help care for his mother after a serious accident. Now that his mother is recovered, he would like to go abroad to pursue an MBA. In this situation, Freddie might use the Optional Essay to talk about how his decision to stay near home impacted his career path, his continued motivation to pursue an MBA and work internationally, and how the experience strengthened his commitment to his family. In this way, Freddie will showcase his values and address career choices that wouldn’t otherwise be obvious from a resume or certain other essay prompts. If you have had a similar experience of making career choices based personal considerations such as a family situation, if you have dealt with health issues that have impacted your career, or other special situations, such as military service, then the Optional Essay could be the place to disclose and explain those things.
Further Self-Explanation
Universities absolutely do not want all applicants to use the Optional Essay to recycle essay topics from other schools. Applicants should be shrewd about whether they need to write one. However, there are certain application circumstances, such as a school having very short essays or when you are applying without a test score, which may merit further explanation. On the whole, MBA essays have been getting shorter and more focused. This may require applicants to squeeze out certain things about themselves that they feel are important. If you find yourself in this situation, think critically about whether what you want to share is essential and will help your candidacy. For example, writing about taking coding or quantitative courses outside of work to support a career pivot toward a more analytical role could be important, but talking about why you changed jobs may not be essential.
Reapplying to the Same Program
Many programs have a required essay for reapplicants, but for programs that don’t it’s appropriate to use the Optional Essay to explain what has changed from your first application to the current one. Reapplicants will want to use the Optional Essay to point out that they have made changes to strengthen their profile. These changes might include improved test scores, job title/responsibility changes, new skills, etc.
Something Exceptionally Good
The rarest reason to use the Optional Essay is for sharing something exceptionally good or unique (which is probably not related to one’s career). Examples of this might include things like being a practicing artist who exhibits their work, being a concert-level musician, specialized military experience, or racing Ironman triathlons competitively. When talking about these experiences and aspects of your life, briefly summarize your time doing them and focus on one or more benefits you have received as a result. For example, a high level musician will need to be focused and creative, while military experience might help develop self-discipline.
[Conclusion]
As you can see from the several sections of this blog post, there are an array of situations and experiences that merit writing an Optional Essay. Understanding when it is appropriate and then taking a positive tone when writing an Optional Essay can offer key support to one’s application. Optional Essay strategy is just one of the many areas in which we advise clients as they navigate the application process. To learn more about our consulting services and to ask questions about your profile, school choices, goals, and more, schedule a free 20-minute consultation today.