Almost every top MBA application includes an optional essay or an "additional information" section. The word "optional" creates immediate confusion. Does optional really mean optional? Will the admissions committee judge you for leaving it blank? Will they judge you for writing too much?
The honest answer is: it depends on your situation. The optional essay is a strategic tool. Used well, it can address concerns that would otherwise linger in an admissions reader's mind. Used poorly, it can make your application feel bloated, repetitive, or unfocused.
This guide gives you a clear decision tree for whether to write the optional essay and, if you do, exactly what to say and how to say it. We cover specific scenarios, school-by-school guidance for programmes like Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, INSEAD, LBS, and Kellogg, and the most common mistakes that trip applicants up.
What Is the Optional Essay, and Why Does It Exist?
The optional essay (sometimes labelled "additional information" or "is there anything else you would like us to know?") is a section in the MBA application where you can provide context that does not fit elsewhere. It exists because admissions committees know that applications are imperfect snapshots. Some candidates have circumstances that a transcript, resume, or required essay cannot fully explain.
The optional essay is designed to give you space to clarify potential red flags, fill in gaps, or provide context that makes your candidacy easier to evaluate fairly. It is not designed as a bonus essay for extra achievements, a space to repeat your "why this school" narrative, or an opportunity to add a fourth or fifth essay to a three-essay application.
The Core Principle
- The optional essay should explain, mitigate, or enrich your application with information that cannot be found elsewhere.
- If it repeats, restates, or adds nothing material, it does not belong.
- Admissions committees will not penalise you for skipping it when you have nothing to address.
The Decision Tree: Should You Write the Optional Essay?
Work through these questions in order. If you answer "yes" to any of the first five, you should strongly consider writing the optional essay. If you reach the end without a "yes," you can confidently skip it.
1. Do you have a low or inconsistent GPA?
If your undergraduate GPA is notably below the school's average, or if you had a semester or year of poor grades that drags down an otherwise solid record, the optional essay is the right place to explain. Admissions committees will notice the numbers. Providing context (and evidence of improvement) puts you in control of the narrative rather than leaving them to guess.
Write the optional essay2. Do you have an unexplained employment gap?
A gap of several months or more between jobs can raise questions. If you were travelling, caring for family, recovering from illness, pursuing a personal project, or starting (and winding down) a venture, explain it briefly. Short transitions of a few weeks between roles do not need addressing.
Write the optional essay3. Are you unable to use your current direct supervisor as a recommender?
Most MBA programmes prefer at least one recommendation from your current direct supervisor. If you cannot ask them (because you have not told your employer about your MBA plans, because the relationship is too new, or because of other circumstances), the optional essay is where you briefly explain why and who you chose instead.
Write the optional essay4. Were there extenuating circumstances that affected your performance?
Health issues, family emergencies, financial hardship, or other life events that impacted your academic record, test scores, or career trajectory deserve an honest, concise explanation. This is not about making excuses. It is about giving the committee the context they need to evaluate you fairly.
Write the optional essay5. Have you made a major career change that needs context?
If your career path looks non-linear (for example, moving from engineering to non-profit work to finance), and your required essays do not fully explain the transitions, the optional essay can help connect the dots. Show that the change was intentional and what you gained from it.
Write the optional essay6. Does the school's prompt explicitly invite additional strengths or context?
Some schools phrase their optional essay broadly: "Is there anything else you would like us to know?" or "Share additional information that you believe strengthens your candidacy." If the prompt invites this, and you have something genuinely material to share that is not covered elsewhere, you can use the space. But be selective. Only include information that adds a meaningfully new dimension to your profile.
Write only if you have genuinely new, material information7. Is your application complete with no unexplained gaps or concerns?
If you have worked through the questions above and your application addresses everything clearly, you do not need to write the optional essay. Leaving it blank is a perfectly valid choice. Admissions committees will not hold it against you. In fact, writing one when you have nothing to say can signal that you do not follow instructions or that you lack self-awareness about what is important.
Skip the optional essayWhen to Write: Six Scenarios Where the Optional Essay Matters
Let us look at the most common situations where writing the optional essay can strengthen your application, along with specific guidance on what to say.
Scenario 1: Explaining a Low GPA
A low GPA is one of the most common and most valid reasons to use the optional essay. Admissions committees are trained professionals who will spot a weak academic record. If you leave it unexplained, they are left to assume the worst. Taking ownership of the narrative is far better than silence.
What to include
- A brief, honest explanation of what caused the low grades (health issues, working full-time during university, family circumstances, adjusting to a new country or language).
- Evidence that your performance improved over time. If your final two years were stronger than your first two, say so.
- Proof of academic ability since graduation: strong GMAT or GRE score, professional certifications, CFA, graduate coursework, or a track record of analytical work.
Scenario 2: Addressing an Employment Gap
A gap of several months between roles can look concerning if left unaddressed. The optional essay gives you space to explain what you did during that period and why the gap happened.
What to include
- What caused the gap (layoff, health, family, relocation, entrepreneurial pursuit, travel, personal development).
- What you did during the gap that was productive: volunteer work, courses, travel that broadened your perspective, a personal project, or caregiving.
- How the gap ended: how you re-entered the workforce and what you took forward from the experience.
Scenario 3: Explaining Your Recommender Choice
If your current direct supervisor is not one of your recommenders, a brief note in the optional essay clarifies why. This prevents the committee from wondering whether there is a problem with your current working relationship.
What to include
- A one- or two-sentence explanation: you have not disclosed your MBA plans to your employer, you recently changed roles and your new supervisor does not know you well yet, or your current supervisor is not the best person to speak to your leadership and growth.
- Who you chose instead and why they are well-positioned to evaluate your work.
Scenario 4: Extenuating Circumstances
Life does not always follow a straight line. If a significant personal event (serious illness, a family crisis, financial hardship, military service) affected your academic or professional record, the optional essay is the right place to provide that context.
What to include
- A factual summary of what happened and when.
- How it affected your performance or trajectory.
- What you did to recover or adapt, and where you are now.
Scenario 5: Non-Linear Career Path
Career changes are not red flags on their own, but if your resume shows multiple shifts that your required essays do not fully explain, the optional essay can provide a brief connective thread.
What to include
- A sentence or two connecting the transitions: what motivated each change and what you gained.
- How the varied experience has given you a broader perspective that is relevant to your MBA goals.
Scenario 6: Genuinely New Context
If the school's prompt invites additional information and you have something material that does not fit elsewhere (for example, a significant community contribution, a unique talent, or a personal story that adds real depth), you can include it. The key test: would this information meaningfully change how the committee sees your candidacy? If yes, include it. If not, leave it.
When to Skip: Three Scenarios Where Silence Is Better
Not every applicant needs to write the optional essay. Here are the situations where leaving it blank is the stronger choice.
"I should write the optional essay just to show effort and enthusiasm for the programme."
Admissions committees do not reward optional essays written "just in case." If your application is strong and complete, leaving the optional essay blank signals confidence and self-awareness. Writing one with nothing material to say signals the opposite.
Skip if your application has no gaps or weaknesses to address
If your GPA is solid, your career path is clear, your recommenders are appropriate, and your required essays cover everything important, the optional essay is not necessary. Do not write one simply because the space exists.
Skip if you are repeating information from your main essays
If the only thing you can think of to write is a restatement of your goals, your school fit, or an achievement you have already covered, skip it. Repetition does not strengthen your application. It dilutes it.
Skip if the school's prompt is narrow and your situation does not fit
Some schools phrase their optional essay specifically: "Please use this space to address extenuating circumstances." If you do not have extenuating circumstances, do not force something into this space. Respect the prompt and the committee's time.
School-Specific Optional Essay Guidance
Different programmes frame their optional essay differently. The wording of the prompt tells you a great deal about what the school expects. Here is a look at how several top programmes approach it.
Wharton (University of Pennsylvania)
"Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider."
Limit: 500 words
Wharton's prompt is broad. It welcomes both explanations of weaknesses and genuinely new information. Use it if you have either. If you have neither, skip it.
Stanford GSB
Stanford includes an optional "Additional Information" section for "critical information not conveyed elsewhere," such as extenuating circumstances.
Limit: 1,200 characters (approximately 200 words)
Stanford's phrasing is deliberately narrow: "critical information." This is not the place for bonus stories. Use it only if you have a genuine gap or circumstance to explain.
Harvard Business School (HBS)
HBS has historically included an optional section for additional information that the admissions board should consider. The format and prompt can vary by year.
Harvard's approach has shifted over the years. Always check the current application for the latest prompt. As with other schools, use this space to address genuine concerns or provide critical context, not to add a bonus essay.
INSEAD
INSEAD includes an optional essay or additional comments section where applicants can share anything not covered in the required essays.
Given that INSEAD already has multiple required essays covering leadership, career progression, goals, and a high-pressure situation, there is usually less need for the optional essay unless you have a specific gap (academic, career, or personal) to address.
London Business School (LBS)
LBS provides space for additional information in its application. The focus is on context that the admissions committee should consider beyond what is already provided.
LBS values authenticity and self-awareness. If you have a genuine reason to write the optional essay, be direct and concise. If not, leave it blank.
Kellogg (Northwestern University)
Kellogg's application typically includes an additional information section for addressing concerns or providing context not covered in the required essays.
Kellogg's collaborative culture values transparency. Use the optional essay to address real concerns. Avoid using it to add a "why Kellogg" essay when you already have one in the required set.
Important note: Optional essay prompts can change from year to year. Always read the current application carefully before deciding what to write. The guidance above reflects general patterns, but the exact wording and word limits may differ in your application cycle.
How to Write the Optional Essay: Tone, Structure, and Length
If you have decided to write the optional essay, the next question is how. The best optional essays share a few key characteristics.
Be Direct and Concise
Get to the point quickly. The admissions committee does not need a long preamble or an emotional setup. State what you need to address, provide the context, describe what you have done about it, and move on.
"Admissions committees are professionals who will identify weaknesses like low GPAs or employment gaps. If you don't address a weakness proactively, the committee is left guessing at explanations rather than having complete information to evaluate you fairly." mbaMission
Follow This Three-Part Structure
The Explain, Mitigate, Move Forward Framework
- Explain: Briefly state what happened and when. Be factual and honest. One to two sentences is usually enough.
- Mitigate: Provide evidence that addresses the concern. An upward trend in grades, a strong test score, productive use of a gap period, or a clear reason for your recommender choice.
- Move forward: Close with where you are now and how this experience or situation has positioned you for what comes next. Keep it brief.
Respect the Word Limit
Most optional essays should be 150 to 300 words. If the school sets a specific limit, follow it exactly. If no limit is specified, aim for 200 to 400 words. Longer is not better. Admissions committees read thousands of applications. Brevity and clarity are valued far more than volume.
Use a Factual, Forward-Looking Tone
The optional essay is not the place for emotional storytelling, self-pity, or blame. Keep the tone matter-of-fact, professional, and forward-looking. You are providing information, not defending yourself.
Tone to Aim For
- Honest and transparent.
- Matter-of-fact, not defensive.
- Focused on what you have done about the situation.
- Forward-looking, showing growth and readiness.
- Concise and specific with evidence.
Tone to Avoid
- Apologetic or self-pitying.
- Blame-shifting (toward employers, professors, or circumstances).
- Vague or generic ("I have grown a lot since then").
- Overly emotional or dramatic.
- Lengthy or unfocused.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Having reviewed thousands of MBA applications, we see the same optional essay mistakes repeatedly. Here are the most damaging ones and how to avoid them.
Mistakes That Weaken Your Optional Essay
Writing it when you have nothing to say
The most common mistake. If your application is complete and your profile has no gaps, submitting a filler optional essay (restating your enthusiasm for the school, adding another achievement, or repeating your goals) makes you look like you cannot prioritise or follow instructions.
Using it as a bonus essay
The optional essay is not an extra essay question. If the prompt asks about extenuating circumstances and you write about an impressive volunteer trip that does not address any weakness, you are misusing the space. Read the prompt carefully and match your content to its intent.
Making excuses instead of showing growth
Explaining a low GPA by saying "the coursework was unfair" or "I had a bad professor" does not help. Take ownership. Show what happened, acknowledge it, and demonstrate what you have done since to prove your capability.
Being too long
An optional essay that runs to 500 words when you have one thing to explain is too long. Be economical with words. If you can explain your situation clearly in 150 words, do not stretch it to 400.
Repeating content from your main essays
If your optional essay covers the same ground as your required essays, it adds nothing. Before submitting, read your entire application as a whole. Does the optional essay provide genuinely new information? If not, remove it.
Being overly apologetic
Phrases like "I am sorry to say" or "unfortunately, I was not able to" set the wrong tone. State the facts, show what you did about it, and move on. Admissions committees respect candour and self-awareness, not apology.
Practical Examples: What Good Optional Essays Look Like
To make this concrete, here are outlines of what effective optional essays look like in different scenarios. These are structural examples, not templates to copy.
Example: Addressing a Low GPA
Structure (approximately 200 words)
- Sentence 1-2: State what happened. "My undergraduate GPA of 2.8 reflects a challenging first two years when I was adjusting to a new country and working 30 hours per week to support my education."
- Sentence 3-4: Show improvement. "In my final two years, after gaining financial stability, my GPA rose to 3.5. I also completed the CFA Level 1 after graduation."
- Sentence 5-6: Provide additional evidence. "My GMAT score of 740 further demonstrates my analytical and academic readiness."
- Closing: Brief forward look. "I am confident that my academic trajectory and professional achievements since graduation reflect my true capability."
Example: Explaining an Employment Gap
Structure (approximately 150 words)
- Sentence 1-2: State the gap. "Between June and December 2023, I took a six-month break from full-time employment."
- Sentence 3-4: Explain the reason and what you did. "During this period, I cared for a parent recovering from surgery. I also used the time to complete an online data analytics certification through Coursera and volunteered with a local financial literacy programme."
- Closing: Re-entry and forward look. "I returned to work in January 2024 and was promoted to Senior Analyst within eight months."
Example: Justifying a Non-Standard Recommender
Structure (approximately 100 words)
- Sentence 1: State the situation. "I have not disclosed my MBA plans to my current employer, as I am in a small team where my departure would be disruptive."
- Sentence 2-3: Explain your choice. "Instead, I have chosen my previous direct supervisor at [Company], who managed me for three years and can speak directly to my leadership, growth, and impact."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the optional essay really optional?
Yes. If you have nothing material to address or add, leaving it blank is perfectly acceptable. The admissions committee will not count it against you. The essay is optional in the truest sense: use it when it serves your application, and skip it when it does not.
Will the admissions committee think I am hiding something if I skip it?
Not if your application is complete and coherent. The committee will notice obvious gaps (like a low GPA or a two-year employment gap) whether or not you write the optional essay. If there is something noticeable that you do not address, they may wonder. But if your profile is straightforward, there is no expectation that you will fill this space.
How do I know if my GPA is "low enough" to explain?
Compare your GPA to the school's class profile, which is published on most programme websites. If your GPA is meaningfully below the average or the middle 80% range, it is worth addressing. If you are only slightly below average but have a strong GMAT or GRE and a solid career, you may not need to explain. Use your judgement, and if you are unsure, a brief explanation is safer than silence.
Should I explain a short gap between jobs?
No. A gap of a few weeks or even a month between roles is completely normal and does not need explanation. Focus on gaps of three months or longer, especially if they are visible on your resume.
Can I address multiple issues in one optional essay?
Yes, if the word limit allows it. You can briefly address two or even three separate issues (for example, a low GPA and a recommender explanation) in the same essay. Keep each point concise and clearly separated. Do not try to weave them into one narrative if they are unrelated; treat them as separate, brief sections.
Should I use the optional essay for a reapplication?
Many schools have a separate reapplicant essay or update section specifically for this purpose. If the school has both a reapplicant essay and an optional essay, use the reapplicant essay for your growth narrative and reserve the optional essay for any additional gaps or concerns. If the school only has an optional essay, you can use it for both, but keep each topic distinct.
What if I have a criminal record or disciplinary action?
If the application asks about this directly (many do), answer honestly in the space provided. If it does not ask but you believe the information could surface during a background check, use the optional essay to disclose and explain it proactively. Be factual, take responsibility, and focus on what you have learned and how you have changed.
Can a strong optional essay compensate for a weak application?
No. The optional essay can provide context that makes a weakness less concerning, but it cannot turn a weak application into a strong one. Your required essays, recommendations, test scores, and resume carry far more weight. Think of the optional essay as a clarifying tool, not a rescue tool.
The Bottom Line
The optional essay is a precision tool. It exists to help you address specific gaps or concerns in your application, not to add volume or demonstrate enthusiasm. If you have a genuine issue to address, such as a low GPA, an employment gap, a non-standard recommender, extenuating circumstances, or a career change that needs context, write the optional essay. Be direct, concise, and forward-looking.
If your application is complete and your profile is clear, skip it with confidence. The strongest applications are not the longest ones. They are the ones where every word earns its place.
Not Sure Whether to Write the Optional Essay?
At GradPrix, we help MBA applicants make every part of their application count. Our founders are INSEAD MBA alumni who have reviewed hundreds of optional essays and know exactly when to write one, what to say, and how to say it.
Whether you need help deciding if the optional essay is right for your situation, or you want expert feedback on your draft, we are here to guide you.