Optional Essays for TMDSAS

[ManlyMan246]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm just a little confused because people emphasize the personal statement so much, and I have some great experiences that I'm thinking of putting down in the personal statement but I think that some of these might better answer one of the optional essays. However I'm just worried that because those experiences are so strong, if they're not in my personal statement, they won't be read because these are "optional essays." Are these essays given the same weight as the personal statement or should I put the strongest experiences in the personal statement?

Thanks!

 

[SunnyFlower288]

I want to know this, too!

 

[eli20]

I only answered 1 of the optional essays because I felt that my PS significantly addressed the other topic and any response would have been redundant. In my opinion, I would make the PS as strong as possible.

 

[Checcles]

I didn't do any of the optional essays and seemed to do ok. Got into two TX schools OOS.

 

[RecklessKel]

I did the optional essays and lightly touched on the two topics in my personal statement. I then expanded and really deeply delved into the topics in those extra essays. I did well in admissions, pre-matched at all the schools I interviewed at.

I always take the stance that if someone says its optional you should just do it anyways. That being said make your personal statement really strong and if you have any leftover bits, try to make them work in the optional essays.

 

[acb88]

I feel you should do any of the optional essays that you possibly can, however, I answered only 1 and it didn't hurt me at all. Make your PS as strong as possible, and use the optional essays for anything not mentioned in your PS. If possible, you could briefly mention those experiences in your PS and then expand upon them in your optional essays

 

[addo]

I only did the PS too.