The document discusses whether to write an optional essay in MBA applications, stating that the decision depends on various factors, particularly the school's guidance. Applicants should only write the essay if they have meaningful circumstances to explain or unique experiences to share that haven't been covered in the rest of their application. If there are no significant points to address, it is advised to refrain from submitting the optional essay to avoid appearing arrogant or disregarding instructions.

1. Optional Essay…
Is it actually mandatory??

2. In every MBA application, applicants are faced with one common
question.
“Should I write an optional essay or not?”,
or may be "I need to tell the school as much as I can about myself.
So, I really should be using the opportunity available by writing
an optional essay, right?”.
Our answer for this question is simply two words.

3. “It depends!”
And it depends on a variety of
factors. Your first hint is provided in
the prompt released by the school
for the optional essay. Always read it
very carefully as more often than
not, the schools give explicit
information about who should use
the optional essay and for what. For
example, schools may ask you to
address any extenuating
circumstances such as unexplained
work gaps, low test scores or GPA
etc. Or sometimes schools may ask
you to provide any additional
information that might be helpful in
evaluating your candidacy.http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/

4. These situations are
not uncommon and
schools realize that.
Therefore, they have
provided you this
space to give your
side of the
story. So, in case
there is something
similar in your
profile, then these
essays become
almost mandatory.
Obviously, both these
prompts are very
different. The first
one should be used
only in case there are
some circumstances
that you must
explain, may be a
poor semester in the
college or getting laid
off without prior
notice.

5. In the second prompt however, more
often than not, the advice is to use the
optional essay space. Dig deep to find
something truly unique or memorable
for you to write on but make sure, it is
something that has not yet been
addressed in your application before.
Conversely, if there are no such
circumstances applicable to you, then stay
away from the optional essay. Do not
increase the workload of the reader by
unnecessarily writing an optional essay
just for the sake of writing it. You can
come across as arrogant and disrespectful
of the instructions provided by the school.

6. Unless you have something
meaningful to share, stay
away. The way we see it. You
need to be deeply think and
carefully analyze the optional
essay prompt before deciding
to write the optional essay.
But again, be mindful
that if you do not have
much more to cover in
your application, then
do not write an essay if
there is no value
addition.
case. If however, the prompt is more
open, then use this space to enhance
your credentials and provide something
deep and meaningful to add further value
to your application. Be judicious and use
or not use the optional essay to your
advantage!
If the prompt is close-looped,
then only write it if that
situation is applicable in your

7. For further information about
MBA optional essays & guidelines
Contact us:
http://www.appexperts.net/
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