A recent Forbes article discussed one of the common mysteries found in many college applications – the “optional” option. Some colleges provide an Optional Essay. A number of schools offer Optional Short Answer prompts. And a few universities – like Yale – take a completely different approach, providing students an open-ended option – “Write about something you would like us to know about you that you have not conveyed elsewhere in your application.”
Spoiler!
Never equate “optional” with having an “option.” This is especially true in college applications.
Schools, like Stanford, have acceptance rates plunging into the dark abyss below 5% and anything students can do to shine can be the difference between rejection and admission. Yes, you do have the option to remain part of the herd and choose to be anonymous. However, schools also have the option to ignore and choose to reject you. Many options are just choices to shine brightly. And while admissions representatives might suggest that students are not downgraded for avoiding optional questions, they are – even if only subconsciously – asking, “Which student will I evaluate higher and more favorably – the one that accepts the challenge to shine, or the one skips an obvious opportunity?”
A college asking an “optional” question is actually asking “Do you seize opportunity?” Do you want to be admitted? That too is optional…and I have asked multiple admissions directors about just how “optional” these opportunities – or rather, questions – actually are. If you want to be considered seriously, they aren’t.
With competition for college admissions so high, why would any student pass on an opportunity to tip the scales in his or her favor? There are hundreds – and in many cases, thousands – of 4.0+ GPA students with unbelievable SAT/ACT scores applying for admission and merit scholarships. Any chance to place evidence of potential and past performance on the evaluation scale can make the difference in selection, or in thousands of dollars in financial aid.
When asked to write recommendations I ask students to fill out a questionnaire to provide current information and their “Best Hits” to leverage in my letter. The last two questions are optional: 1. Do you believe in unicorns and that they live in Australia? And, 2. What is the average price for a haircut in Chicago? I also intentionally write at the very bottom of the form “The last two questions are optional.”
These questions are specifically added to open a discussion about the “optional” question on college applications… as well as to gauge a student’s attitude, thinking skills, courage, creativity and sense of humor. Colleges have a similar rationale. I also explain that 15% of a college application is evaluated for things that cannot really be defined or measured – including creativity, humor, playfulness, courage, niceness, gumption and moxie. With admission so highly competitive… anything to favorably influence that 15% is HUGE.
- Never equate “optional” with “option.” Choosing not to do something is a choice.
- What is the question really asking?
- Never assume a unicorn is just silly banter.
“All that is valuable in human society depends on the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”
– Albert Einstein
Colleges and Universities believe Einstein was onto something and are much more willing to accept the student who chooses to make the most of opportunities. I’m not sure about the unicorn.