Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2024
- Post author By Anita Doar
- Post date October 4, 2024
- No Comments on Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2024
Ah, the joys of senior fall! Many students who’ve just barely survived the wringer of junior year— with AP courses, standardized test prep, and campus visits ramping up college admissions pressure—are already feeling weary. They’re facing an ever-growing college list and an onslaught of supplemental essays asking them to capture their souls in 150 words and profess their unique and undying love for each school. “I just want to be done!” is a common refrain ringing around college-bound households this time of year as seniors get ready for Halloween. The good news is, there are plenty of small liberal arts colleges and larger universities that require no supplemental essays at all! Might as well toss in an application, right?
If you’re tempted to round out your college list with these low-effort applications, just know that everyone else is, too. Colleges have a few key motives for asking no supplemental essay questions: 1) to drive application numbers up and acceptance rates down (see Northeastern’s 5.2% acceptance rate in 2028 ) 2) to make it easier for admissions offices to process a large application volume and 3) to streamline the application so that it’s more accessible for under resourced students to apply.
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What does all this mean for you? Without supplemental essays, you’ll have fewer opportunities on an application to distinguish yourself and show that you’re a strong match for the school. Admissions readers will put more emphasis on your academic record, Common App personal statement, and extracurricular profile. But as long as you’re aware of the competitive context in which your application will be read, and you’re presenting a strong application to a balanced list of schools, then nothing’s stopping you from throwing your hat in the ring at these colleges and universities.
SAMPLE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS
- Albion College (application essay – recommended, not required)
- Allegheny College
- Bates College
- Beloit College
- Coe College (personal essay optional for students who meet Coe’s minimum academic standards )
- Colby College
- Colgate University (writing supplements are optional)
- College of the Holy Cross
- Connecticut College
- Denison University
- DePauw University
- Dickinson University
- Drew University
- Farleigh Dickinson (essays are optional, but welcome)
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Furman University
- Gettysburg College
- Goucher College
- Grinnell College (short answer essay is optional)
- Hamilton College (short answer essay is optional)
- Hanover College (application essay – optional)
- Hollins University (essay or personal statement is optional)
- Hope College
- Juniata College
- Kenyon College
- Middlebury College
- Muhlenberg College
- New College of Florida
- Oberlin College
- Ripon College (optional personal statement)
- Rhodes College
- Sewanee—University of the South
- Siena College
- Skidmore College
- St. John’s University (Personal Essay- recommended, if applying test optional. Why essay for Pharmacy program)
- St. Lawrence University
- Susquehanna University
- Thomas Aquinas College
- Ursinus College (optional short response)
- Wesleyan University (writing supplement for international students)
- Whitman College
- Williams College (option to share academic paper 3-5 pages)
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SAMPLE UNIVERSITIES WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS
- Case Western Reserve University
- Clemson University
- DePaul University
- Drexel University
- Fordham University (optional short response questions)
- Miami University—Oxford
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (Albert Dorman Honors College has an essay requirement)
- Northeastern University
- Ohio State University (Honors, Scholars, Morrill Scholarship Program and some majors have additional essay requirements)
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology (Accelerated Medicine program has an additional writing question)
- SUNY Binghamton University
- SUNY Buffalo
- Temple University (optional essay)
- Tulane University (optional personal statement)
- University of Alabama
- University of Arkansas
- University of Colorado -Denver
- University of Connecticut
- University of Dayton
- University of Delaware
- University of Denver
- University of Iowa (personal statement required if not submitting test scores)
- University of Minnesota
- University of Nebraska—Lincoln (personal narrative required to be considered for leadership and diversity scholarships)
- University of New Hampshire
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pittsburgh (personal statement required if not submitting test scores and to be considered for scholarships, essay required for Pitt Honors admission)
- University of St. Thomas (essays recommended, but not required)
- University of Vermont (optional essay questions recommended, but not required)
HOW TO STAND OUT WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS
Without the additional insight that supplemental essays provide, a strong personal statement becomes the key to differentiating yourself. Top Tier Admissions’ Essay Guidance Program and Application Review Program provide 1:1 guidance to ensure your application shines. Work with one of our expert counselors and press submit with the confidence that your application will leave a lasting impression on admissions committees, maximizing your chances of success.
If you enjoyed this post, follow us on Instagram @toptieradmissions for more tips and subscribe to our blog for expert insights & college admissions news !
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Lists & Rankings > College Admission > Colleges For B Students, Late Bloomers, And Underachievers
Colleges and Universities That Don't Require Supplemental Essays
List produced by the facts.
* Green "Yes, connect me!" buttons indicate a featured school
- Albion College (Albion, MI): An application essay is recommended but not required.
- Binghamton University (Binghamton, NY): No additional essays are required, but students may submit special talent supplements.
- Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH): Additional materials are an optional way to enhance your application. Yes, connect me!
- Clemson University (Clemson, SC): No personal essay is required with the Common or Coalition Application.
- Colby College (Waterville, ME): Supplemental essays aren't required, but students may opt to submit a video through InitialView Elevator Pitch.
- Connecticut College (New London, CT): No supplemental essays are requested beyond the Common Application personal statement requirement.
- DePaul University (Chicago, IL): Personal essays are optional and not required for first-year student applicants; however, test-optional applicants are encouraged to submit the essay through the Common App.
- DePauw University (Greencastle, IN): An additional essay beyond the personal statement is required to be considered for the Honor Scholar Program.
- Dillard University (New Orleans, LA): If a first-year applicant doesn't meet certain requirements, they must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement (a three-to-five-paragraph essay outlining your future aspirations) for further consideration.
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA): A 250–650-word essay via the Common or Coalition Application is the only writing requirement for most applicants, while certain programs in the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design require an additional writing supplement. Essays submitted on paper or emailed directly to the University are not accepted.
- Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck, NJ): Essays, résumés, and recommendation letters are optional but welcome.
- Fordham University (Bronx, NY): An essay as part of the Common Application is required, but other writing opportunities are optional; applicants will not be penalized if they choose to skip these sections. Yes, connect me!
- Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA): No fee to apply and no required supplement.
- Kent State University (Kent, OH): Personal essays aren't required for first-year applicants.
- Kenyon College (Gambier, OH): Prospective students who have an interest or talent they would like to share may submit an optional portfolio.
- Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT): A supplemental essay is not required; any additional materials submitted beyond what are required are not guaranteed to be reviewed by admissions readers.
- Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA): Only a personal essay is required of applicants.
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (Newark, NJ): An additional essay on a specific topic is required to apply to the Honors College.
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): Additional essays are not required beyond the personal statement through the Common or Coalition Application. Yes, connect me!
- Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ): An essay through the Common Application is the only writing requirement. Yes, connect me!
- Siena College (Loudonville, NY): The essay is optional for the majority of applicants, though many students still choose to submit one to help the admissions team learn more about them. Applicants also have the option to submit a graded English or history paper from junior or senior year to show off their best work. Yes, connect me!
- Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY): Supplemental materials will be reviewed but aren't required; however, an additional essay is required in order to apply for the College's Porter-Wachenheim Presidential Scholarships in Science and Mathematics.
- Spelman College (Atlanta, GA): Students who are invited to the honors program will be required to submit an additional essay.
- Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ): Just one personal statement is required of applicants. Yes, connect me!
- Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY): Additional essays are required for Honors, WISE, University Scholars, Scholars for Medicine, and Scholars for Dental Medicine applicants.
- The Ohio State University—Columbus (Columbus, OH): Freshman applicants to the Columbus campus are only required to write a Common Application essay, while no essay is required for admission to OHIO's regional campuses. Yes, connect me!
- The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): No personal essay is required for first-year student applicants.
- University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY): The University may ask applicants to submit a personal statement and/or mid-year grades if they apply without test scores.
- University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR): A personal essay isn't required through the Common App, but supplemental essay prompts are available for students who would like to apply for scholarships.
- University of Colorado, Denver (Denver, CO): The personal statement is the only writing sample submitted during the application process.
- University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT): A personal essay through the Common Application is the only writing requirement for prospective students. Yes, connect me!
- University of Dayton (Dayton, OH): Just one essay is required of applicants.
- University of Denver (Denver, CO): No essays are required beyond the Common App personal statement. Yes, connect me!
- University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA): If a student doesn't provide ACT or SAT scores at the time of application, they may be required to submit additional academic documents or a personal statement to receive an admission decision.
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN): No essays are required, but applicants have the option to submit short answers to supplemental questions.
- University of Nebraska—Lincoln (Lincoln, NE): A personal essay isn't required for admission, but applicants must write a 500-word essay about themselves with a focus on leadership, career goals, and community service to be considered for the University's Leadership, Service & Diversity Enhancement Scholarships.
- University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH): No supplemental essays or writing prompts are required other than the essay required as part of the Common Application.
- University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA): A personal statement or the Common Application essay is required for scholarship consideration as well as for students applying test-optional. It could also increase your chances with guaranteed admission programs or help explain extenuating circumstances. Yes, connect me!
- University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN): Applicants aren't required to answer the University's essay questions, but it's "highly recommend" to do so, especially if you apply without test scores.
- University of Vermont (Burlington, VT): An optional essay is available as a chance for the University to get to know you better. Yes, connect me!
- University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA): A personal statement is the only writing requirement for prospective students.
- Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT): The submission of supplemental materials is optional.
Source: Moon Prep
Want more information on how this list was compiled? Find out more about where our Lists & Rankings come from .
About This List
Having schools on your list that don’t require supplemental essays gives you more time and energy to apply to more colleges and programs. The following schools do not require supplemental essays as of the 2022–2023 application season. Please keep in mind that if you're interested in special programs such as honors, Nursing, or scholarship opportunities, you may still be required or encouraged to write essays—especially if you don't submit standardized test scores. (This list was compiled by our friends at Moon Prep , with additional research by CollegeXpress.)
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Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT
University of Montana
Missoula, MT
Central Methodist University
Fayette, MO
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, TX
Wright State University
The University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Appalachian State University
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL
Ohio University
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
Dallas Baptist University
Fisher College
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
Caldwell University
Caldwell, NJ
North Park University
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
Moody Bible Institute
Wheaton College
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