Colleges Without Supplemental Essays

Back when the Common Application was newly launched, life was a bit simpler for our essay writing rising seniors! Supplemental essays used by colleges were practically an afterthought.

With increased competition across the board at all colleges coupled with high achieving students, many colleges wanted yet another avenue for students to demonstrate their interest in their school and showcase what they would bring to campus. NOW, most colleges seem to have three or four, if not more, of their own supplemental essays in addition to what’s asked on the Common Application.

MOST but not ALL. There are many great schools that don’t require supplemental essays and rely solely on the Common Application.

If you find yourself late to the admissions game, you might be considering a few of these schools simply for sake of ease as you’re running out of time. Whatever your reason for seeking a school that doesn’t require additional supplemental essays, we’ve got you covered.

SAMPLE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOLS WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

• Albion College
• Allegheny College
• Beloit College
• Coe College (personal essay optional for students who meet Coe’s minimum academic standards)
• Colby College
• Connecticut College 
• DePauw University 
• Drew University
• Furman University
• Gettysburg College 
• Goucher College
• Grinnell College
• Hanover College
• Hollins University
• Hope College
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Juniata College
• Kenyon College
• Middlebury College
• Muhlenberg College
• New College of Florida 
• Pomona College
• Ripon College
• Sewanee—University of the South
• Siena College (option to submit a graded paper in place of an essay on Siena application)
• Skidmore College
• Spelman College
• St. John’s College (essay for Pharmacy program or if not submitting testing scores)
• St. Lawrence University
• Susquehanna University 
• Ursinus College
• Wesleyan University
• Willamette University
• Williams College (optional essay)

SAMPLE UNIVERSITIES WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

• Baylor University (short answer responses recommended)
• Binghamton University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Clark University
• Clemson University
• DePaul University
• Drexel University (essay for Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and custom-designed majors)
• Fordham University
• Miami University—Oxford
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Northeastern University
• Ohio State University
• Purdue University
• Seton Hall University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Stony Brook University  (Honors College, University Scholars, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine have additional essay requirements)
• SUNY Buffalo (some SUNY campuses have supplemental materials)
• Tulane University
• University of Alabama
• University of Arkansas
• University of Colorado -Denver
• University of Connecticut
• University of Dayton 
• University of Delaware (supplemental essay required for Honors Program)
• University of Denver
• University of Iowa (supplemental essays for certain programs of study)
• University of Minnesota
• University of Nebraska—Lincoln (personal statement required to be considered for leadership and diversity scholarships)
• University of New Hampshire 
• University of the Pacific
• University of Pittsburgh (In lieu of an essay or personal statement, interested applicants are asked to answer short answer questions. Specific questions required for Pitt Honors admission.)
• University of St. Thomas (essays recommended, but not required)
• University of Vermont (optional essay questions available as part of application process)

ESSAY GUIDANCE

Many colleges typically want more than what the Common App asks applicants but as you can see, there are quite a few that are content with a main essay only. Whether for a main essay or supplemental essays, we work with our students to craft a proactive approach to their writing. We’re here to help you share your voice, your vision and your true scholarly selves to the college admissions world.