The college essay may become more important after the Supreme Court’s decision, and a place where students can highlight their racial or ethnic backgrounds — but with a big caution sign from ...

The Supreme Court’s ruling intended to remove the consideration of race during the admissions process. So students used their essays to highlight their racial background.

Thus, an optional essay is unnecessary if its key points are already adequately communicated through the personal statement or other materials. Optional essays should be used strategically to ...

Harvard has switched from giving applicants the option to write one long and two short essays, to forcing them to write five 200-word answers. The Harvard Crimson argued it is discriminatory.