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Colleges and Universities That Don't Require Supplemental Essays

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    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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ): An essay through the Common Application is the only writing requirement.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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

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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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