Truly optional essay questions?

[Daitong]

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I know these threads have been beat to death, but it seems more and more schools are wording their essays to seem truly optional. I suppose it's because they're reading thousands of these, and if you don't have a really unique story, it's a waste of their time.

I'm talking more specifically about these blanket "If there is an important aspect of your background not addressed elsewhere, we invite you to do so here...Many applicants will not need to answer this question."...

Would it be appropriate to include an essay on diversity that's not particularly on the same level as say- living in a different country for many years and establishing a charity, or having to overcome extreme conditions, or would it be better left blank?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jay11jayjay]

Blank.

 

[Lamel]

I think if they suggest this, then a canned diversity answer is not a good way to go, unless like you said you lived in a different country, are an immigrant, suffered significant hardships AND that has played a part in your pursuit of medicine.

 

[familyaerospace]

Save your diversity essay for the diversity question.

I just finished a secondary which had the additional information question. I had a month (or two?) prior spoken to the director of admissions where she addressed "problems" in my application. I addressed each issue in my additional information section.

 

[NickNaylor]

If an essay prompt is broad enough and you have something germane to the question that would provide some useful information about you, then you should include it. Don't make obtuse reaches to include information that isn't relevant to the prompt. Don't include information just for the sake of including information if it isn't actually important or relevant. Both of those will be seen for what they are and will either get you nothing (best case) or irritate application readers (worst case).