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College Info , College Essays
If the thought of writing a college essay fills you with terror, you might be wondering: are there any colleges that don't require essays?
The answer is yes, there are! This guide will give you an overview of colleges that don't require admissions essays, how to find these schools, and whether you should apply to one or not. We'll wrap up with a list of 64 colleges with no essay requirement that you can apply to.
Why Do Some Colleges Not Require an Essay?
In general, college essays help schools get a sense of you as a person—beyond your academic record, GPA, and test scores. They give you a chance to clearly articulate your goals and also give admissions officers a better idea of how you'll fit within the school's community. Finally, essays are helpful because they provide schools with concrete evidence of your writing ability.
However, there are many colleges that don't require essays for admissions. What are some reasons why? Let's take a look at the three biggest ones:
#1: Limited Resources
It takes a lot of admissions officers' time and energy to read and evaluate college essays.
At smaller schools with fewer resources, and even at larger schools that enroll tens of thousands of students, the resource costs associated with reading each essay for every single student might outweigh the benefits of getting additional information on applicants beyond GPAs, test scores, and transcripts.
Schools sometimes balance these concerns by requiring essays only for the most competitive programs (usually things such as engineering and nursing) or for scholarships, for which the additional information might be more instrumental in making decisions.
They need to use those limited resources for coffee.
#2: Specific Admissions Cutoffs/Criteria
Many colleges, particularly public schools, admit students based on a type of selection index, which tabulates some combination of GPA, test scores, and/or class rank.
If students meet the minimum index score cutoff, they will be admitted. In this case, the school might simply feel that additional information from an essay isn't necessary for making a decision regarding whether a student will be successful or not.
Selection indices are also often different for in-state and out-of-state students, with the latter being subject to more stringent academic criteria.
In addition, the selection index is sometimes used for scholarships, with students with higher index scores being awarded more money.
Schools with selection indices do often require or recommend college essays for borderline candidates so that students can provide additional information on why they'd be a good fit at the school in spite of not meeting the stated academic criteria.
#3: Make Admissions Process Easy and Appealing
Some colleges hope that by making the admissions process easy and requiring only a transcript, test scores, and basic demographic information, they'll attract a wider variety of applicants.
By presenting their application process as a simple alternative to more intensive processes that require letters of recommendation, essays, and so on, they can attract students who are on the fence about applying to college at all .
They could even potentially motivate highly qualified applicants to use them as one of their safety or match schools because the students won't need to write additional essays or do extra work to apply.
Some applications seem like you just have to click to apply!
How to Find Colleges That Don't Require Essays
There are over 4,000 postsecondary educational institutions in the US, and over 80 of these schools don't require essays for admission.
If you want to know whether a particular school requires an essay for admission, Google "[School Name] freshman admission requirements" or "[School Name] admissions essay." This should pull up pages from the school's official website, with links to guidelines on admission essays.
If, however, you're looking more generally for schools that don't require essays, you can check out our list of 64 schools below or try one of the following starting places:
Public Universities in Your State
A significant number of public universities don't require essays for admissions.
Even if the major public schools in your state (such as the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign or UCLA) require essays for admission, you might find that the smaller campuses and smaller or more specialized state schools might not require essays. So be sure to check those out!
You can actually get a pretty robust list of schools in your state by simply Googling "[State Name] colleges." Do this and a list of colleges will appear across the top of your screen. Thanks, Google!
Schools With Automatic Admissions Criteria
A school that has criteria for automatic admission (e.g., if you live in-state and have a particular class rank, GPA, and/or test score profile) might not require applicants who meet the automatic criteria to submit essays with their applications.
However, don't assume that just because you meet automatic admissions criteria that you won't need to write an essay.
At UT Austin, for example, all students must submit an essay , regardless of whether they meet the automatic admissions criteria. Although you could probably write just a straightforward paragraph in the essay section and still get admitted (since you meet the criteria), you'd likely be hurting your scholarship potential, not to mention jeopardizing your chances of being let into your desired major.
Small Private Liberal Arts Institutions
Another group of schools that might not require essays are smaller, private liberal arts institutions. These types of schools often serve a fairly niche market and might simply not get a high enough application volume to need essays to differentiate applicants.
Community Colleges
Local community colleges do not require essays for enrollment, since most allow anyone to enroll. Some even have automatic transfer agreements with local four-year universities. However, if you want to transfer to a particular four-year university after you finish at a community college, you might very well have to write an essay—so you could just be putting off the inevitable!
You can find a lot of no-essay colleges for your basket!
Complete List: 64 Colleges That Don't Require Essays
The following chart contains 64 colleges with no essay requirement, organized by state.
Note that these are far from the only no-essay college applications —just some of the most notable. Follow our guidelines above for finding additional essay-free colleges.
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA and test scores | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA and test scores | ||
| Optional for "Comprehensive Review" admission | Assured admission for in-state applicants who meet criteria; comprehensive review process for all other applicants | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA and test scores | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| None | Primarily by eligibility index; some majors/campuses have more stringent requirements | ||
| None (though UC Boulder require an essay) | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Only required for dental hygiene students; otherwise, encouraged but not required. | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Strongly encouraged but not required | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | "Each applicant is considered individually, taking into account grades, rigor of curriculum and standardized test scores" | ||
| Optional | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, transcripts, test scores, class rank | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Optional personal statement | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Meet GPA and test score cutoffs | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Writing samples are encouraged but not required | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| None | Primarily through the Regent Admission Index | ||
| None | Different requirements for different schools in the university | ||
| None | Students must meet GPA/test requirements and complete Precollege Curriculum | ||
| Short answers only for those who don't meet Assured Admission criteria | Meet Assured Admission criteria through GPA/test score requirements | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA and test scores | ||
| None | Guaranteed admission for in-state applicants who meet criteria; primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Optional | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Encouraged but not required | Primarily determined by test scores and transcripts | ||
| None | Admissions index based on test scores and GPA | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| None | Assured admission for students who have completed prerequisite coursework and meet a combination of GPA/class rank/test score criteria | ||
| None | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| Essays required only if you don't meet the selection index criteria | Meet selection index criteria and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| None | Meet primary requirements and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| Required only for scholarship consideration | Assured admission if you meet performance requirements and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| None | Meet GPA or test score requirement and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| Recommended but not required | Primarily determined by test scores, transcripts, and any supplementary documentation submitted | ||
| None | Primarily determined by test scores and transcripts | ||
| Optional writing sample | Primarily determined by transcripts; test scores are optional for most programs, as is the essay | ||
| Recommended but not required | Primarily determined by test scores, transcripts, and any supplementary documentation submitted | ||
| Optional | Primarily determined by test scores, transcripts, and any supplementary documentation submitted | ||
| Recommended but not required | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| None | Meet GPA and test score requirements and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| Optional | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts, class rank | ||
| Essay required only if you need comprehensive application review | Assured admission by combination of GPA/class rank/test scores; otherwise comprehensive application review | ||
| Optional writing sample | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts; students who feel they might not meet academic requirements can submit supporting documentation | ||
| Required only for students who don't meet minimum academic requirements | Admission primarily via GPA (3.0+) and recommendation; test optional except for students applying for scholarships and honors, or for those who don't meet minimum academic requirements | ||
| Required only for petitioning students | Automatic admission for students who meet basic coursework/test requirements and have a GPA of 2.75 | ||
| Optional | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| Only required for Honors College application | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Meet GPA, test score, or class rank cutoff and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| None | Meet GPA/test score cutoffs and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| Only required for Honors College application | Primarily determined by GPA, test scores, transcripts | ||
| None | Meet GPA/test score cutoffs and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| None | Meet College Academic Distribution Requirements; assured admission for top 10% of class or 3.5+ GPA | ||
| None | Meet GPA/test score cutoffs and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| None | Meet GPA/test score cutoffs and have completed prerequisite coursework | ||
| Essay only required for some programs and scholarships | Primarily determined by test scores and transcripts |
Should You Apply to a College That Doesn't Require an Essay?
If you're reading this article, you're clearly worried about writing application essays for one reason or another. Maybe you're concerned about having enough time to finish everything. Or maybe you think your writing is terrible.
Here are some reasons to write college essays in spite of your misgivings:
#1: You Want to Apply to the Most Selective Schools
If you're hoping to apply to the most selective schools , you'll almost certainly have to write at least one essay. The most highly ranked no-essay school that I could find was the University of Pittsburgh—a great school. But if you're going for UChicago , MIT , Stanford , or an Ivy League-level school , you'll have to write an essay.
#2: You Want a Scholarship
Even if you do apply to a school that doesn't require an essay, you might still have to write an essay if you want to apply for the most competitive scholarships .
#3: You Have Special Circumstances to Explain
If you have any kind of special circumstance to explain—say, a dip in your grades one year due to a family illness—you definitely want to write about it in an essay. This will help you compensate for any perceived deficits in your academic record and also prevent you from being penalized in the admissions process for the vagaries of life.
There's value in telling your story to the admissions committee.
#4: You're a Good Writer
I'm thinking that most strong writers are going to actively want to write college essays, but just in case: if writing is one of your strengths, definitely write an essay. You want to show off your best qualities to admissions officers, after all! If your primary concern is time, use something like the Common Application so you don't have to write a new essay for every school.
#5: The Essay Prompt Is Short
Some college essays are barely essays at all. Some required essays have just a 250-word limit, and 500 words is pretty standard. For reference, the first section of this article—"Why Do Some Colleges Not Require Essays?"—is about 450 words, including sub-headings. That's not so bad!
#6: You Can Get Help
Although it's important that your college essays are your own work, you're allowed to get help with them! Colleges expect you to put your best foot forward, so if that means discussing ideas with parents and teachers, and having someone else look over your rough drafts and offer suggestions, that's completely fine. You don't have to go at it completely alone.
#7: You Can Reuse an Essay for All Your Schools
For schools that use the Common App , Coalition App , or Universal College App , you can generally use one essay for all your colleges. Some schools might require additional supplemental essays, though, so be sure to look that up in advance to avoid being blindsided later.
So Should I Write an Essay?
If it happens that all the schools you want to apply to don't require essays, then great! But overall, I'd say don't let the fact that a school has one (or even two) essays stop you from applying if you're genuinely interested in going there.
If you find writing essays stressful or if you're time-limited, there's nothing wrong with using some strategies to limit the number of polished essays you need to produce (such as using the Common App) and applying to a mix of essay and no-essay schools.
Key Takeaways: Colleges That Don't Require Essays
There are actually tons of colleges that don't require essays. Here are some common reasons why a college might not require an essay:
- Limited resources—it takes a lot of time and effort to read an essay by each applicant
- They might have certain GPA and/or test score admissions criteria and feel as though the information provided by an essay isn't necessary
- To make it more appealing to students by having an easier application process
So how can you find college applications without essays? Here are some places to start:
- Public schools in your state, especially smaller ones in case the bigger ones do require essays
- Schools with automatic admissions criteria—if you qualify for admission, you might not need to write an essay
- Smaller liberal arts institutions
- Community colleges
When it comes down to it, though, should you apply to colleges with no essay requirement? Here are some reasons you might want to write a college essay, even if you're apprehensive:
- The most selective colleges usually do require essays
- Scholarship applications for particular schools often require essays
- If you have special circumstances to explain, plan on writing an essay
- Strong writers should write essays to put their best foot forward
- Word limits are often very short—think 250-500 words (that's just a few paragraphs!)
- You're allowed (and encouraged) to get help with brainstorming ideas and revising drafts
- If you use an application system that can send applications to multiple schools, such as the Common App, Coalition App, or Universal College App, you might be able to write just one essay for all the schools you're applying to
No essay, no tears!
What's Next?
Need more help looking for colleges? See our step-by-step guide to college research . Also, check out how to decide where to go to college and the difference between a college and a university !
Decided to write an essay after all and need some help? Check out our comprehensive guide to writing a college essay and our guide to writing the "why this college" essay . Be sure to avoid these 10 college essay mistakes , too.
Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.
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73 Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – 2024
May 27, 2024
When college application season arrives, it’s easy for students to become overwhelmed about the essays. There’s the personal statement , which many students have a general idea about, and then there are the supplemental essays. Supplemental essays can cover a range of college-specific prompts that help the colleges better understand why you’d be a great fit . Due to how personal and varied the supplemental essays can be, students often end up spending weeks, if not months, writing them.
However, across the country, there are colleges that do not require supplemental essays at all. For some students, applying to colleges without supplemental essays can make the overall application process much smoother. Benefits include experiencing less stress in their application preparation and diversifying prospective colleges while focusing more on their priority schools. Sometimes, though, these schools do ask for program-specific essays or optional essays, depending on the applicant.
Best Colleges without Supplemental Essays
1) albion college.
At Albion College, the application essay is not required, but it is recommended. Students are encouraged to provide any more details that they believe the admissions team should consider.
2) Allegheny College
As noted on their website, Allegheny College has not required the supplemental essay since their 2013-2014 application cycle. Students will find more essay questions in the Member Questions section of the Common Application.
3) Augusta University
Augusta University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays as they do not require a personal essay at all. They do still require SAT or ACT scores and GPA.
4) Bates College
Since 1984, Bates College has not required SAT Subject Tests or ACT scores in their applications. There is an optional arts supplement for students who are applying to study art, creative writing, dance, film, music, and theater.
5) Case Western Reserve University
At Case Western Reserve University, the Common Application personal essay is required. However, if you’re applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, then you’ll have to write supplemental essays.
Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays (Continued)
6) clemson university.
Clemson University does not require students to complete a personal essay with the Common or Coalition Application. There is also a test-optional policy that may appeal to some students.
7) Coe College
At Coe College, the personal essay is optional for students who meet the college’s minimum academic standards. Coe College joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays that also have a test-optional policy.
8) Colby College
Colby College accepts the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge Application, and they do not have any additional writing supplements. Test scores are optional for applicants at Colby College, and there is no application fee.
9) Colgate University
Colgate University is one of the colleges without supplemental essays required, but there is the option to write them. As stated on their website, “These prompts are not meant to feel like essays; they are simply an added perspective.
10) College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross does not require supplemental essays, but the following are optional: personal interview, SAT or ACT scores, and supplementary materials.
11) Denison University
Denison University joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays. Their website states that they wish to provide “equal access” to a Denison education, and they are also test-optional.
12) DePaul University
For first-year student applicants at DePaul University, personal essays are not required but optional. They have also been a test-optional university since 2012.
13) Dillard University
Dillard University is the oldest HBCU in Louisiana and is one of the colleges with no supplemental essay requirements. However, if students do not meet the minimum GPA and standardized test score requirements, then they must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
14) Drew University
At Drew University, a personal statement is required, along with a counselor evaluation, teacher evaluation, and high school transcript.
15) Drexel University
Drexel University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require all students to complete the 250 to 650 essay on the Common or Coalition Application. However, the short answer question is optional.
16) Fairleigh Dickinson University
At Fairleigh Dickinson University, all essays, résumés, and recommendations are optional.
17) Florida Gulf Coast University
The only essay required by Florida Gulf Coast University is a two-page personal essay that discusses academic performance, special talents, and what the student can contribute to the campus.
18) Florida State University
Although Florida State University is one of the colleges without supplemental essays, students should invest time into the Common Application personal statement.
19) Fordham University
At Fordham University, the Common Application essay is required, but there are also optional writing sections. If students choose not to write in these sections, they will not be penalized.
20) Franklin and Marshall College
Franklin and Marshall College joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require the personal essay in the Common Application, as well as standardized test scores, recommendations and other materials.
21) Furman University
At Furman University, first-year applicants do not need to submit a personal essay, and they are also test-optional.
22) Gannon University
Gannon University does not require students to submit a personal statement. It is optional but recommended for students to submit a statement. However, it is required for LECOM 4+4 Medical Program applicants.
23) Gettysburg College
Although Gettysburg College joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays, it does require a personal statement on the Common Application.
24) Grinnell College
Grinnell College does not require supplemental essays and it also does not have an application fee. Standardized test scores are also optional.
25) Hamilton College
Although Hamilton College joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays, the optional essays are still encouraged.
26) Hampshire College
Hampshire College only requires supplemental essays from international students applying as first-year or transfer students.
27) Hanover College
Hanover College states on their website that the essay or personal statement is optional, alongside test scores, letters of recommendation and résumé.
28) Hollins University
At Hollins University, for first-year students no personal statement is required and standardized test scores are optional.
29) Howard University
Howard University requires students to complete the Common Application essay and there is one optional supplemental essay.
30) Indiana University – Bloomington
Students applying to Indiana University – Bloomington must write the one essay in the Common Application or through Apply IU.
31) Kent State University
At Kent State University, first-year students are not required to submit a personal essay or a letter of recommendation. Test scores are also optional.
32) Kenyon College
Kenyon College joins this list as it is one of the colleges without supplemental essays. For first-year and transfer students, test scores are optional and flexible.
33) Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University does require the Common Application personal statement, but as of its most recent admissions cycle, no supplemental essay is required.
34) Mercer University
At Mercer University, applicants who wish to be test-optional must complete the supplemental essays. They must also have a 3.5 GPA and letter of recommendation.
35) Miami University
Miami University, not to be confused with the University of Miami, requires the Common App personal statement but not the supplemental essays.
36) Michigan State University
Michigan State University requires students to write only one essay on the MSU application, Common Application or Coalition Application.
37) Middlebury College
Middlebury College is one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. They do still require the personal statement on the Common Application.
38) Muhlenberg College
Muhlenberg College requires students to submit the personal essay but no other supplemental essays.
39) New College of Florida
New College of Florida is one of the many colleges with no supplemental essays. However, they do still require a personal statement.
40) New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology only requires a personal statement included in the Common Application. There is no supplemental essay requirement.
41) New York Institute of Technology
Students applying to the New York Institute of Technology are required to write a 300 to 350 word essay as their only essay. They may require test-optional applicants to submit a graded essay.
42) Northeastern University
Northeastern is one of the best colleges without a supplemental essay requirement. They do require a personal statement, alongside other materials.
43) Nova Southeastern University
At Nova Southeastern University, the essay is entirely optional, and students can self-report their test scores.
44) Oberlin College
Oberlin requires a personal statement, but does not require any supplemental essays.
45) Ohio State University
Ohio State University only requires a personal statement. However, they also offer a COVID-19 impact statement on the Common Application for interested students.
46) Ripon College
At Ripon College, the personal statement itself is optional for applicants, along with other materials.
47) Rhodes College
Rhodes College does not require a supplemental essay, but they have the option for students to record an optional “ Elevator Pitch .”
48) Rowan University
Rowan University requires a personal statement in the Common Application, but joins this list as a college without supplemental essays.
49) St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University has no supplemental essay requirement, but it still requires the personal statement essay. They are also test-optional, depending on the applicant.
50) St. Mary’s University (San Antonio)
For students applying to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, the personal statement is only required if they choose not to submit test scores.
51) Seton Hall University
At Seton Hall University, the personal statement is required, but there are no other supplemental essays.
52) Siena College
Siena College has made the personal statement (open topic) optional for students applying.
53) Skidmore College
While Skidmore College does not require supplemental essays, students do often send in supplemental materials to further support their application.
54) Stony Brook University
At Stony Brook University, only a personal statement is required. However, students applying to the Honors, WISE, University Scholars, Scholars for Medicine, and Scholars for Dental Medicine must write supplemental essays.
55) Sewanee: The University of the South
Sewanee does not require supplemental essays and SAT/ACT scores are also optional.
56) Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University only requires supplemental essay materials for students applying to the creative writing, graphic design, studio art, and music programs.
57) Temple University
Temple University offers an optional essay as part of the Common Application for students to tell more about themselves beyond grades or test scores.
58) Union College
Union College does offer an optional supplemental essay question as part of their application.
59) University of Alabama
At the University of Alabama, essay submissions and letters of recommendation are not required but they are optional.
60) University of Albany
University of Albany joins the list as one of the colleges without supplemental essays. However, it does require a personal essay of at least 250 words on the Common Application of SUNY Application.
61) University of Arkansas
At the University of Arkansas, first-year students are not required to submit a personal essay. They accept self-reported test scores and letters of recommendation are also not required.
62) University of Arizona
Although the University of Arizona does not require an application essay, they strongly encourage students to submit the 500-word personal statement.
63) University of Cincinnati
Students applying to the University of Cincinnati are required to write the Cincinnati personal statement and the Common Application personal statement. However, there are no other required essays.
64) University of Colorado-Denver
University of Colorado-Denver requires the personal statement on the Common Application, but not other supplemental essays.
65) University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut joins this list as one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. The university does require a personal essay on the Common Application or the Coalition Application.
66) University of Dayton
The University of Dayton does not require any supplemental essays, although it does require a personal statement. The university is also test-optional.
67) University of Denver
The University of Denver only requires the personal statement on the Common Application.
68) University of Houston
Students who apply to the University of Houston without a test score must submit a short admissions essay and extracurricular activities.
69) University of Iowa
The University of Iowa does require a personal statement as part of their application, but there is no supplemental essay requirement.
70) University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a college without supplemental essay requirements for first-year students. However, students applying to the Honors Program or the Engineering SELF Program must submit their responses.
71) University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky requires students to write one personal statement from seven of their given writing prompts.
72) University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
For first-year students applying to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, the personal essay is not required, although it is encouraged.
73) University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not require a personal statement for first-year students. However, those applying to the Honors Program must write a 300-600 word essay.
Whether for the personal statement or any supplemental essay, writing college application essays can prove to be a challenging task. But if students plan ahead about how they want to approach the essays, it helps tremendously. Those who are about to apply to a college without supplemental essays can focus any extra time on other schools that do require them. It’s also great for students who wish to be considered primarily for their grades, test scores, personal statement and other reasons.
Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – Additional Resources
- 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
- How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay
- UC Essay Examples
- Good Safety Schools
- College Search/Knowledge
Joanna Hong
With a BA from Pitzer College and an MA from University College London, Joanna has worked in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles covering many cultural and political issues with organizations such as Byline Media, NK News, and Free Turkey Media. A freelancer for The New York Times, her work has also appeared in Newsweek, Dazed and Confused Magazine, and The Guardian, among others. In addition, Joanna was the recipient of the 2021 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship in Fiction and is currently completing her first novel.
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33 Colleges Without Supplemental Essays
At many top schools, essays form a critical part of the college admissions process. Overwhelmingly, students find writing essays to be the most stressful part of the application process. So, when applying to multiple schools, many applicants look for colleges without supplemental essays. Colleges that don’t require essays allow students to focus on other aspects of their application like extracurriculars, test scores, or recommendation letters.
However, finding colleges that don’t require supplemental essays can be tedious. That’s why we’ve created a list of 33 colleges without supplemental essays to make the search easier.
Contrary to what you may have heard, you can find college application requirements without supplemental essays. Moreover, a lack of supplemental essay requirements doesn’t mean a university isn’t good.
This guide will help you find colleges without supplemental essays that meet your needs. In addition to discussing colleges that don’t require essays, we’ll also talk about other college application requirements. By the end of this article, you’ll be better prepared for the college application process.
What is a supplemental essay?
Before you start searching for colleges that don’t require supplemental essays, it’s important to understand what they actually are. Supplemental essays are extra essays that each school requires; some schools require only one, while others require several. They cover a range of prompts from the “why school” essay to the cultural diversity essay and more. Usually, supplemental essays are rather short, hovering in the 50-250-word limit range. They serve as an opportunity to showcase an applicant’s strengths, moments of personal growth, and personality.
It’s important to note that supplemental essays are different from the personal statement on the Common Application . The Common App essay prompts allow you to submit one personal statement to every college where you apply. In other words, you’ll almost certainly write this personal statement plus supplemental essays for each college on your list . You can also look up each school’s supplemental writing requirements on the Common App site.
There aren’t many colleges that don’t require essays at all. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any colleges that don’t require supplemental essays. With that said, most American universities have some essay requirements, even if they don’t ask for writing supplements.
Supplemental essays vs. Personal Statement
Often, top colleges without supplemental essays will require students to write a personal statement . Recall that supplemental essays vary in length and number of essays to complete depending on the school. In contrast, the personal statement is one essay that most schools have as a part of their college application requirements. However, both supplemental essays and the personal statement are important when it comes to creating an authentic application narrative .
The personal statement is a part of the Common Application. There are seven prompts to choose from, one of which is open, meaning you can write anything you’d like. The personal statement is longer than most supplemental essays at 650 words. While you’ll just write on one of these prompts, the others touch on common college essay topics. Don’t hesitate to brainstorm for a few of the Common App prompts, not just one.
Supplemental essays are usually shorter than the personal statement. School requirements will vary. While there are colleges without supplemental essays at all, others may have as many as six!
While there are many nuances to the college admissions process, there are several key steps to be aware of. Take our quiz to see just how prepared you are to submit your college applications!
How many supplemental essays do college require?
While there are competitive colleges without supplemental essays, the majority of universities require at least one supplemental essay. However, the number of required supplemental essays will vary greatly.
For example, Northeastern University doesn’t have a writing supplement requirement on the Northeastern application. However, that doesn’t necessarily make the Northeastern application easier than other universities. Since it’s a top school, applicants will still need to do everything possible to make their Northeastern application stand out.
Unlike the Northeastern application, the University of Chicago has one required “why school” essay and various supplemental essay prompts to choose from. In total, students applying to UChicago will write two supplemental essays.
When it comes to the number of supplemental essays a school requires, there is no single answer. All schools will be different, so be sure to check each school’s individual application requirements on their admissions sites.
What kind of colleges require essays?
Generally, it is rare to find colleges that don’t require essays at all. While there are some colleges without supplemental essays, most still require students to submit the personal statement. Therefore, most colleges in the U.S. require essays in some form. Even if you’re applying through a different platform like UC Apply or the Coalition Application , you’ll have to write.
A better question might be: why do colleges require essays? The majority of universities’ admissions teams use a holistic evaluation process. That means that each of the college application requirements receives equal consideration. Your supplemental essay is an opportunity to share more about yourself with admissions. Successful college essay ideas will center on stories that show personal growth and self-reflection.
What are college application requirements?
If you’re looking for colleges without supplemental essays, then you’ll need to sift through each school’s requirements. Simply put, college application requirements are all the materials that applicants need for a complete application.
Here are some of the most common application requirements:
- Basic biographical and demographic information
- Extracurricular activities
- Personal statement
- Application fee
- Transcripts
- Counselor and/or Teacher letter(s) of recommendation
In the application, students will be able to add their essays. Keep in mind that each school’s college application requirements vary, so you should confirm specifics on their websites.
Do all colleges require supplemental essays?
Luckily for those who dread essay writing, there are colleges without supplemental essays. Soon, we’re going to provide you with a comprehensive list of well-known colleges that don’t require supplemental essays.
However, keep in mind that most schools do require students to complete the personal statement. So, for those who are hoping to find colleges that don’t require essays of any kind, it will be challenging. Nevertheless, students who have an extreme aversion to essay writing will find some top colleges without supplemental essays.
Why apply to colleges that don’t require essays?
There are a few reasons that students want to apply to colleges without supplemental essays. Some students may feel like the essays are too stressful. And while there are ways to manage that stress and write compelling essays, some students may just prefer not to.
However, probably the number one reason that students are intrigued by colleges without supplemental essays is time. Thinking of college essay ideas and writing essays is time-consuming. When you consider that some students apply to as many as 15 schools, it can feel overwhelming. Even adding just a few colleges that don’t require essays to your college list will lighten the burden.
Additionally, there are many competitive colleges without supplemental essays. Just remember: if you apply to colleges without supplemental essays, make the rest of your application as competitive as possible. It certainly isn’t an excuse to slack on your application narrative. In fact, with colleges that don’t require essays, you must pay extra attention to your demonstration of academic achievements and extracurricular involvement.
As stated above, colleges without supplemental essays usually still require a personal statement. However, this essay can be used for multiple schools. That is to say, once it’s written, you’re set for all of your applications to colleges without supplemental essays.
33 Best Colleges without Supplemental Essays
Finally, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s check out some colleges without supplemental essays.
Top 33 Colleges without Essays
1. colby college.
This small liberal arts school in Waterville, Maine, is the first to make our list. As the 12 th oldest liberal arts school in the US, Colby College has ample experience providing students with an intimate learning environment. If you’re interested in a liberal arts education from a small Northeastern University, then check out Colby’s application requirements .
2. Grinnell College
Students who attend Grinnell are encouraged to “pursue passions with purpose.” While it may seem surprising that such a school numbers among colleges that don’t require essays, take advantage of it and apply ! Grinnell College is consistently a high-ranking liberal arts school. Here, students are encouraged to create a course of study that best supports their intellectual freedom.
3. Middlebury College
Another of the many liberal arts colleges without supplemental essays on our list is Middlebury College. Located in Vermont’s Champlain Valley, the natural beauty will inspire your learning as a natural laboratory is just outside. Its acceptance rate is 13%, so you’ll need an impeccable application in the absence of supplemental essays.
4. Colgate University
Located in New York state, Colgate University provides its students with a high quality liberal arts education. Like all others on our list, the Colgate application doesn’t include supplemental essays. There are 56 majors for students to choose from. Colgate values a curious mind, so be sure to show your curiosity in your Colgate application. Check out what you need to complete your Colgate application.
5. Temple University
This is the first public research university on our list of colleges without supplemental essays. Temple University has 17 schools and colleges in which to study, but an emphasis is placed on experiential learning. Given Temple’s location in the heart of North Philadelphia, students will have all the opportunities that the city provides.
6. Oberlin College
The one-of-a-kind education provided by Oberlin College allows students to explore both academics and the arts. Indeed, the Oberlin College ranking across metrics speaks for itself: the Oberlin College ranking in national liberal arts colleges is #39 . And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Oberlin College ranking in Most Innovative Schools is #16 . Of course, the Oberlin College ranking isn’t everything. But, the Oberlin College ranking does speak to the school’s quality, unique liberal arts education. For Oberlin College (not the conservatory) no supplemental essay is needed.
7. Case Western Reserve University
There are hundreds of programs at Case Western Reserve for students to pursue. However, overall, the student population is committed to making a difference, with education a stepping stone to an impactful career. In addition to being one of our colleges without supplemental essays, Case Western Reserve is also test-optional through fall 2024.
8. Bates College
The Bates way is all about “aligning who you are with what you do.” Students will be a part of a community with values such as social responsibility and diversity and inclusion. Check out the requirements for what it takes to be a part of this unique campus. Keep in mind that the Bates College acceptance rate is quite competitive. In fact, the Bates College acceptance rate is considered most selective at 17% . So, although Bates is among the colleges that don’t require essays, the Bates College acceptance rate means intense competition for admittance.
9. Northeastern University
This well-known university in Boston , Massachusetts, is among the most competitive colleges without supplemental essays with an 18% acceptance rate. Experiential learning and research are among the core parts of a Northeastern University education. If you’re interested in innovation and impact, then see what you need to apply .
10. Hampshire College
It may be unsurprising that Hampshire College, the self-proclaimed “original disruptors of higher education,” is among the colleges that don’t require essays. Hampshire believes that their radical education experience leads to greater impact. This is a community that values experimentation, discovery, and investigation in a non-traditional manner. If that sounds up your alley, take a look at their application requirements.
11. DePaul University
This large private university in Chicago, Illinois, is next on our list of colleges without supplemental essays. Faculty provide high-quality teaching in order to give their students the best educational experience. DePaul aims to provide an experience that combines “mind, place, people, and heart.”
12. Drexel University
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is arguably one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. It’s nationally recognized for its co-op experience. This learning model allows all students to have ample hands-on experience in their field of interest before even graduating. Drexel admissions may not seem super competitive with an acceptance rate of 83% . However, that doesn’t mean you should slack on the application. Impressing Drexel admissions could lead to scholarships, which are also an extremely important part of the college application process.
13. Kenyon College
This college may not be a household name, but they’ve played a huge part in the model of faculty advising nationwide. In fact, according to Kenyon College , they invented it. So you can imagine the quality attention the learning experience that students will receive here.
14. Dillard University
Louisiana’s first private liberal arts HBCU makes our list of colleges without supplemental essays. The undergraduate population is around 1,200, making it a small school. At Dillard, students can expect personalized attention and a tight-knit campus community. After applying and being accepted, students will have 22 majors to choose from.
15. Skidmore College
Creative thinking is at the heart of Skidmore’s education model. Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, this private university offers students an excellent education in a bucolic college town . At Skidmore College , students are encouraged to explore a variety of educational interests as all majors are interdisciplinary.
16. Ohio State University
Located in Columbus, Ohio—the fastest-growing metropolitan in the Midwest — Ohio State University places an emphasis on improving local and global communities. In fact, they have contribution efforts in every county in Ohio. And, with six campuses throughout the state, students can choose which location will best serve them.
17. Louisiana State University
As a leading research university in Baton Rouge, LSU is among the best colleges without supplemental essays. No matter their major, every student is able to participate in research opportunities. LSU ’s emphasis on research is a crux of the community as it comes from a drive to improve the world.
18. University of Alabama
With over 100 areas of study in 8 schools and colleges, the University of Alabama provides students with ample options. At the University of Alabama, research is highly valued, but students are ultimately encouraged to pursue their passions. Check out the freshman requirements to learn more about applying.
19. University of Cincinnati
Another large public research university makes our list of colleges without supplemental essays. UC has excellent co-op and internship programs from which students can gain practical professional experience while studying. University of Cincinnati students will gain an excellent education and hands-on experience.
20. Clemson University
Clemson admissions prides itself on the university’s tireless work ethic. Through this, they encourage their students to “change lives, change perceptions, and…to change the world.” Students willing to work hard to achieve their future goals should check out the application requirements . Clemson admissions falls in the middle when it comes to selectivity. The Clemson admissions rate is 49% . Logically, we can see from the Clemson admissions rate that nearly half the students that apply will gain admittance.
21. University of Pittsburgh
Located in the heart of the city, the University of Pittsburgh is among the top colleges without supplemental essays. This large public university focuses on innovation as a path to positive change. With a prime location, students are encouraged to take advantage of all that the university and city have to offer.
22. Wesleyan University
Forming students to be “intellectually agile” is a huge part of the Wesleyan curriculum. With 45 majors to choose from, students are encouraged to take advantage of the large range of available courses. Additionally, there are over 5,000 internships opportunities available starting from your first year on campus.
23. Miami University
You may have seen this school ranking in the top 50 public universities in the US. There’s certainly no doubt that Miami University in Ohio is one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. With many dynamic undergraduate programs available, students will be able to pursue a wealth of careers in their chosen fields. An active student body helps in forming a strong campus community in a location brimming with natural beauty.
24. University of Connecticut
As a large university with a rural location, the UConn campus community is like a small town of its own. Students can enjoy a wide range of study options, ample student organizations and clubs, and renowned leaders as faculty members. Learn more about the application requirements.
25. University of Delaware
The beautiful campus and experienced faculty of the University of Delaware provide for about 18,000 students. Through research, internships, and study abroad opportunities, students are encouraged to find their authentic way of changing the world.
26. Florida State University
FSU is one of the best value colleges without supplemental essays. Students here are intellectually curious, academically driven, and socially conscious. The FSU experience is centered around providing students with the tools to achieve their goals.
27. University of Georgia
Even though this is a large university, students are seen as “the individual they are.” The University of Georgia is committed to accessibility and inclusion. Additionally, 92% of the university’s graduates are employed or continuing their studies within six months of graduation.
28. University of Houston
As the third largest university in Texas , the University of Houston is one of our top colleges without supplemental essays. As a diverse campus community, the university aims to change lives and communities for the better. It emphasizes discovery and conversation as a foundation for students’ development.
29. Indiana University – Bloomington
The possibilities are endless when you study at Indiana University Bloomington . Students will gain hands-on experience in their field either in the lab or on the ground. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to learn from faculty who are renowned in their discipline.
30. University of Kansas
There is certainly no lack of options when studying at the University of Kansas . There are over 400 degree and certificate programs to choose from spread out over 14 schools. Innovation, research, and the pursuit of knowledge are pillars of the UK educational experience.
31. University of Kentucky
Another UK makes our list of colleges that don’t require supplemental essays. The University of Kentucky offers over 200 degree programs in 16 schools. One of the university’s main values is finding ways to advance Kentucky—from education, to health, economy, and culture— to ensure its progress.
32. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Located in an ideal college town, UMass Amherst is the largest public research university in New England. The school offers over 110 majors on campus. In addition, students are encouraged to be curious explorers through study abroad opportunities.
33. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
This large university with a city campus encourages students to discover the unknown. Whether it’s through internships or research opportunities, students are challenged to pursue their interests and push their academic limits. Learn more about the application requirements to get started.
As you review this list, please note that college essay requirements are subject to change. With this in mind, make sure to visit each school’s admissions website to confirm all supplemental essay requirements.
It may seem alluring to apply only to these colleges that don’t require essays. However, keep in mind that these institutions place more importance on GPA and extracurriculars. So, when considering applying to schools without supplemental essays, think about these factors. Will your application narrative be impactful to admissions teams without additional essays? Will your personality and values shine through?
What is the best school that doesn’t require supplemental essays?
Looking at the acceptance rates of the colleges that don’t require essays, we can determine which schools are the most selective. In this case, Colby College ( 9% ), Grinnell College ( 11% ), and Middlebury College ( 13% ) have some of the most selective acceptance rates. However, the Bates College acceptance rate also makes it quite selective. In fact, the Bates College acceptance rate is similar to that of Northeastern University.
The best colleges without supplemental essays will vary depending on what you’re looking for. So, how can you determine your top colleges without supplemental essays? Well, when making your college list you should consider factors such as majors, location, size, and campus culture. This will help you focus your college search on a few key criteria.
Firstly, make a list of what you want in your university. For example, do you want to go to school in a large city? Are internship or co-op programs important to you? Is your major available, and are you intrigued by its curriculum? Ideally, you want to be excited imagining yourself on a college’s campus. As you think about your college list priorities, you’ll be better able to identify which university is best for you. In fact, you may have already started by determining you want to look at colleges that don’t require essays!
College Application Requirements: Beyond Essays
Coming up with college essay ideas might be one of the biggest stressors in the college application process. And yet, there is certainly much more to completing an application than just essays. Colleges that don’t require essays still have other requirements that applicants will need to send by the school’s application deadlines .
For example, let’s look at Colby admissions, which features on our list of colleges that don’t require essays. The Colby admissions site states the application requirements are the completed application, academic records, and financial aid application. Non-native English speakers may also be required to submit a language proficiency certification.
Additionally, there are optional materials you can add to enhance your application, which vary from school to school. Colby accepts standardized test scores , additional recommendation letters, an arts supplement, and an “elevator pitch” video.
Of course, these are just application requirements outlined by Colby admissions. Drexel admissions, Clemson admissions, and any other college admissions office will have other—often similar—application requirements. When comparing colleges to add to your college list, these requirements will likely be an important factor.
Students can usually count on the following materials being required during the application process:
- Completed application
- Academic records
- Teacher/counselor letters of recommendation
- Language proficiency exam (where applicable)
Many schools are continuing test-optional policies first instated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some do require standardized testing scores as well. Always check the admissions site for the application requirements and deadlines. For example, Colby and Drexel admissions have slight differences in their requirements, even though they’re both colleges that don’t require essays. Always confirm requirements on admissions websites!
How to make your college application stand out!
Even when applying to colleges that don’t require essays, you still need to carefully craft a compelling application narrative. Creating a cohesive application narrative or personal brand during the college application process can be tricky. Ideally, your application should tell the story of who you are and what drives you, both academically and personally. You’ll show this through your grades, courses, achievements, and extracurricular activities .
Regardless of other college essay ideas you need, you will need to write the Common App personal statement. This is the only significant writing the admissions teams will see from applicants at colleges that don’t require essays. In light of that, it needs to be an excellent example of your writing skills while also demonstrating your personality.
The Common App provides students with a few college essay topics to choose from. In order to generate the best college essay ideas, choose to write on college essay topics that genuinely excite you. While brainstorming , make a list of college essay ideas from the given college essay topics. Think about anecdotes, meaningful experiences, and personal growth that pertain to the college essay topics. Successful college essay ideas lead to authentic essays, which is the key in standing out to admissions.
Essay Guides and Essay Resources
As we’ve mentioned, even when applying to colleges that don’t require essays, most applicants must complete the personal statement. Don’t stress about coming up with college essay ideas on your own! CollegeAdvisor.com provides ample free resources for students at every step of the college application process—including the essays.
Unfortunately for those aiming to apply to colleges that don’t require essays of any kind, most require the personal statement. The best way to generate college essay ideas is by reading successful essay examples. Check out some of these Common App essay examples to understand what works. And, before even worrying about college essay ideas, learn more about the Common App essay in this article . We’ll outline the most important factors when writing this essay.
If you’re reading this, you probably want to apply to colleges that don’t require essays. However, don’t let that limit you in the college application process. If you love a school, but they require supplemental essays, keep it on your list. Don’t let a disdain for essays keep you from attending your dream school .
CollegeAdvisor has many school-specific essay guides covering everything from college essay ideas to revising that final draft. Check out our USC , Yale , UChicago , and many more college-specific supplemental essay guides. If you’re stuck on thinking up college essay ideas, then these guides are a good place to begin.
Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, supplemental essays are one of the most stressful parts of the college application process for many students. From choosing college essay topics to generating college essay ideas and actually writing essays, there’s a lot of effort involved.
However, as you can see from this article, there are many colleges that don’t require essays. So, if you’re crunched for time or feel overwhelmed by needing various impactful college essay ideas, you have options. It’s never a bad idea to add some schools that don’t require essays to your college list.
Keep in mind, though, that you’ll most likely still need to write the personal statement essay. But one essay is better than six. And, remember that CollegeAdvisor can provide personalized attention for anything from brainstorming college essay ideas to applying for financial aid. Reach out if you’d like some guidance in your college application process. Otherwise, take advantage of our large library of free resources!
This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
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College applications require a lot of hard work and dedication. At times, it can feel difficult to stay organized during the application process. Especially if you have a sizable college list. Between writing a successful college essay and chronicling your various extracurricular activities , there are a lot of application sections to focus on. And that doesn’t even take supplemental essays into account!
Knowing how to find the right college for you often requires a lot of research. That said, referring to a list of colleges without supplemental essays can be a great way to add to your college list. Especially if you don’t have time to write more essays. Ultimately, this is why having a list of colleges with no supplemental essays can be such a helpful tool.
In this article, we review over 40 colleges that don’t require supplemental essays. Again, these colleges can serve as great last-minute additions to your college list!
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Northeast: colleges without supplemental essays
Let’s take a look at some of the best colleges without supplemental essays. As you go through this list, research the universities without supplemental essays that most stand out to you. And remember, there are lots of top colleges without supplemental essays!
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Colby College | Waterville, ME | 2,262 | $63,520 |
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Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1,829 | $62,620 |
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Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | 12,834 | $58,965 |
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Fairleigh Dickinson University | Teaneck, NJ | 7,860 | $33,082 |
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Fordham University | New York, NY | 9,904 | $58,082 |
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Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT | 2,858 | $62,460 |
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Muhlenberg College | Allentown, PA | 2,074 | $58,005 |
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New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark, NJ | 9,183 | $34,034 |
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Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 15,747 | $60,192 |
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SUNY Binghamton University | Binghamton, NY | 14,307 | $10,390 (in-state) $28,230 (out-of-state) |
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SUNY Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | 21,467 | $10,856 (in-state) $28,776 (out-of-state) |
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Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ | 6,063 | $48,960 |
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Siena College | Loudonville, NY | 3,498 | $41,245 |
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Skidmore College | Saratoga Springs, NY | 2,686 | $62,248 |
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Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 3,932 | $58,624 |
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Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 17,999 | $10,556 (in-state) $28,476 (out-of-state) |
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University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 18,567 | $19,434 (in-state) $42,102 (out-of-state) |
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University of New Hampshire | Durham, NH | 11,490 | $19,024 (in-state) $37,934 (out-of-state) |
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University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | 19,980 | $19,760 (in-state) $36,000 (out-of-state) |
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University of Vermont | Burlington, VT | 11,626 | $18,890 (in-state) $43,890 (out-of-state) |
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Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 3,385 | $64,022 |
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Midwest: colleges without supplemental essays
Alternatively, if you’re interested in attending college in the midwest and are still wondering what colleges don’t require supplemental essays? consider some of these competitive colleges without supplemental essays.
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Albion College | Albion, MI | 1,523 | $54,930 |
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Case Western University | Cleveland, OH | 5,792 | $62,234 |
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DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 14,294 | $42,840 |
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DePauw University | Greencastle, IN | 1,724 | $55,410 |
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Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1,748 | $61,480 |
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Kent State | Kent, OH | 21,133 | $12,464 (in-state) $21,570 (out-of-state) |
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Kenyon College | Gambier, OH | 1,875 | $66,490 |
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Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | 47,106 | $11,936 (in-state) $35,019 (out-of-state) |
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University of Colorado-Denver | Denver, CO | 14,289 | $11,800 (in-state) $33,460 (out-of-state) |
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University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | 8,637 | $46,170 |
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University of Denver | Denver, CO | 5,867 | $56,439 |
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University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | 36,209 | $15,859 (in-state) $35,099 (out-of-state) |
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University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 21,608 | $9,942 (in-state) $31,904 (out-of-state) |
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 19,552 | $9,854 (in-state) $26,984 (out-of-state) |
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University of St. Thomas | St. Paul, MN | 6,067 | $50,366 |
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South: colleges without supplemental essays
Still wondering what colleges don’t have supplemental essays? Take a look at some of these good colleges without supplemental essays located in the south.
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Clemson University | Clemson, SC | 21,653 | $15,558 (in-state) $39,502 (out-of-state) |
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Dillard University | New Orleans, LA | 1,202 | $19,354 |
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New College of Florida | Sarasota, FL | 632 | $6,916 (in-state) $29,944 (out-of-state) |
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Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 2,417 | $28,885 |
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Sewanee: The University of the South | Sewanee, TN | 1,735 | $51,146 |
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University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 31,685 | $23,920 (in-state) $43,370 (out-of-state) |
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University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 24,265 | $9,656 (in-state) $27,410 (out-of-state) |
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University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 18,671 | $15,410 (in-state) $37,930 (out-of-state) |
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Deciding on your list of colleges
As you assemble your college list, you’ll likely want to research the differences between colleges and universities . You’ll also want to consider questions such as: Do you prefer urban or rural settings? Smaller or larger classes? etc. During your initial college research, you might also want to consider some of the top public universities in the West , as well as liberal arts colleges in the East .
Ultimately, you’ll come up with a list of preferences, as well as other criteria, that will help you decide which colleges you want to apply to. It’s important to use these same standards when deciding which colleges without supplements you should add to your college list. In other words, although it may be easier to apply to schools that don’t require supplemental essays, you should always research each college thoroughly before choosing to apply.
Key takeaways and moving forward
Colleges without supplemental requirements can make excellent additions to your college list. In fact, purposefully selecting several colleges without supplemental essays can help you save time and stay organized during the college application process . After all, it takes a lot of work to put together a strong college application. Writing your personal statement, asking for letters of recommendation , preparing scholarship essays , and continuing to engage in your extracurricular activities are all incredibly time-consuming. That said, if you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance while you work on your college applications, reach out to learn more about our services .
- January 13, 2023
40+ Colleges That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays
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Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2023
- Post author By Top Tier Admissions
- Post date October 5, 2023
- No Comments on Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2023
Navigating the college application process can often feel like maneuvering through a maze of requirements, deadlines, and essays. Among the most daunting tasks can be the slew of supplemental essays many colleges and universities require. For many students, this makes the admissions process feel overwhelming, especially when applying to multiple schools.
What if there were some schools that streamlined the college application process? Well, good news—there are plenty of colleges and universities that don’t require ANY supplemental essays.
A WORD OF CAUTION
TTA Top Tip : Without supplemental essays, your Common App main essay MUST make an impression on admissions officers, highlighting what YOU will bring to THEIR community. Grades and scores remain the gatekeeper but, once you’ve overcome that hurdle, be sure to knock their socks off with your main essay, which should focus on your intellectual curiosity and unique contributions to your community.
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Rest assured, there are plenty of selective colleges and universities that don’t require supplemental essays. We’ve compiled a sample of these liberal arts colleges and larger universities below.
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
- 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
- Hamilton College
- Hanover College (application essay – optional)
- Hollins University
- 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, Why essay for Pharmacy program)
- St. Lawrence University
- Susquehanna University
- Thomas Aquinas College
- Ursinus College (optional short response)
- Wesleyan University
- 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 personal essays)
- 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 supplemental essays)
- 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 statement required to be considered for leadership and diversity scholarships)
- University of New Hampshire
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pittsburgh (personal statement required 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)
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Colleges that Don't Require Supplemental Essays
Padya Paramita
May 9, 2022
As you prepare for the college admissions cycle, you might be tempted to add schools to your list that require less work than others. While some schools like Yale have over five supplemental essays, there are colleges that have none! So, we offer you a list of colleges that don’t require supplemental essays . Although most colleges definitely want to see students answer school-specific prompts to determine fit, there are several top colleges that don’t require supplemental essays , including Williams, Middlebury, and Northeastern. Take a look at the full list below.
Liberal Arts Colleges that Don’t Require Supplemental Essays
- Albion College
- Allegheny College
- Bates College
- Beloit College
- Coe College
- Colby College
- Colgate University
- College of the Holy Cross
- Connecticut College
- Denison University
- DePauw University
- Dickinson University
- Drew University
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Furman University
- Gettysburg College
- Goucher College
- Grinnell College
- Hamilton College
- Hanover College
- Hollins University
- Hope College
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Juniata College
- Kenyon College
- Middlebury College
- Muhlenberg College
- New College of Florida
- Oberlin College
- Rhodes College
- Ripon College
- Sewanee—University of the South
- Siena College
- Skidmore College
- Spelman College
- St. John’s College (essay optional except for Pharmacy program)
- St. Lawrence University
- Susquehanna University
- Thomas Aquinas College
- Union College
- Ursinus College
- Wesleyan University (there are essays only for international students)
- Whitman College
- Willamette University
- Williams College
National Universities That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays
- Binghamton University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Clark University
- Clemson University
- DePaul University
- Drexel University
- Florida State University
- Gonzaga University
- Miami University—Oxford
- Michigan State University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Ohio State University
- Purdue University
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Stony Brook University (Honors College has essay requirement)
- SUNY Buffalo
- Temple University
- Tulane University
- 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
- University of Minnesota
- University of Nebraska—Lincoln
- University of New Hampshire
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of St. Thomas
How to Successfully Apply to Colleges That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays
So, since you don’t have to write essays, how exactly do you convince admissions officers that you’re a strong applicant? You must take advantage of the following components:
- Personal Statement - The personal statement is a common essay that goes to all of the colleges you apply to within one application system—and colleges that don’t require supplemental essays are no exception to this rule. The most common of these are the Common App personal statement prompts. You only have to write about one of the prompts provided by the Common App. The word limit is 650 words, which is a scant number to narrate a powerful story without leaving out too many important details. At the end of the day, you can write about anything, as long as it tells a story unique to you.
- Activities List - When it comes to building a strong extracurricular activities list, it’s important to prioritize your passions, career interests, and ways to establish yourself as a leader. Prestigious colleges want to see tangible achievements and commitment towards activities you enjoy. And if you see a gap in the activities at your school, or find an opportunity to involve a greater community, don’t be afraid to start your own initiative! Once you’ve built your extracurricular profile, make sure you take advantage of the Common App activities list and describe what you did in order of impressiveness.
- Letters of Recommendation - A college recommendation letter is a note from someone who knows you well in an academic or professional setting, highlighting your best qualities and why they recommend you for a position or institution you’re applying for. For most cases, colleges require letters of recommendation from two teachers, one from your guidance counselor, and provide the option of one additional recommendation that could come from a coach or club advisor. They should be written by teachers who know you the best.
Now that you have an idea of which fall among colleges that don’t require supplemental essays , you can carefully conduct research to make sure you want to apply—and would genuinely be happy there. Don’t just blindly apply to schools just because there are fewer essay requirements. But, these should save you some time in terms of the essay load so take advantage of these if you want to add some targets or safeties as well. Happy searching!
Tags : applying to college , supplemental essays , college essays , Colleges that Don't Require Supplemental Essays , no supplemental essays , colleges with no essays
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40 Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2022-23
By Brandie Erickson • October 10, 2022 • College Application College Search
As high school seniors begin the college application process, they quickly realize that applying to colleges can take a lot of work! Putting together the personal statement—a 650-word essay that helps demonstrate to colleges what type of person you are—activity list and supplemental essays are a time-consuming process that many students spend months preparing.
On average, the number of applications submitted to Common App, one of the biggest college application platforms, has increased yearly, with 14.4% more applications submitted in 2020- 21 than in 2019-20. As students apply to more schools, some of the top universities have gotten even more competitive, with Columbia University and Harvard University accepting less than 4% of their applicants for the class of 2026.
Because of the increased competition, many students are trying to beat the odds and will apply to ten or more universities. It’s not uncommon for some students to apply to more programs, especially if they are applying to highly selective schools or programs like direct medical programs. According to Nicole Gress , a counselor at Moon Prep, her direct medical students will typically apply to a mixture of BS/MD, Ivy League, and other traditional colleges for a total of 25-30 schools.
However, it is essential first to build a balanced college list rather than applying to only the most competitive schools. Having a list with colleges categorized as safeties, matches, and targets ensures that students will get into a number of schools, giving them options on May 1 when making their college decision.
Applying To Schools With No Supplemental Essays
Here is a list of schools that don’t require supplemental essays to apply to their undergraduate program. Check the school website to make sure the information is accurate. Also, note that you might have to write essays for these schools if you are interested in their honors programs, scholarships, or a specific program within the school. By adding some schools that don’t require a supplemental essay to your college list, students can pad their numbers, apply to more schools, and have more options.
- Albion College
- Case Western University
- Clemson University
- Colby College
- Connecticut College
- Dillard University
- DePaul University
- DePauw University
- Drexel University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Fordham University
- Grinnell College
- Kenyon College
- Middlebury College
- Muhlenberg College
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Ohio State University
- Seton Hall University
- Siena College
- Skidmore College
- Spelman College
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Stony Brook University
- SUNY Binghamton University
- SUNY Buffalo
- 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
- University of Minnesota
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- University of New Hampshire
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of St. Thomas
- University of Vermont
- Wesleyan University
To learn more about how you can build a balanced college list, including what you should consider like career/major goals, financial aid needs, school size, location, Check out our most recent article on Forbes .
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Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2022-2023
- Written by The Hello College Team
- Last Updated on August 17, 2022
It’s easy to get stressed out as you prepare to send out your college applications . Students have to present themselves in a unique positive light. But, given the sheer amount of paperwork and form-filling students have to deal with as application deadlines approach, this can be difficult. To make matters worse, on top of a Common Application personal statement essay, some colleges require additional supplemental essays.
Especially if you are applying to numerous schools at once, you might not have time to write multiple essays. If you need to save time and energy, consider applying to schools without a supplemental essay. Here, we’ll introduce you to some of the top schools that don’t require supplemental essays .
What Are Supplemental Essays?
College application essays are an important part of the admissions process. They allow admissions officers to get to know students on a more personal level. Some schools only require the Common App’s 650-word personal statement essay. Other schools, though, require additional essays and ask more targeted and specialized questions. These more targeted essays are known as supplemental essays.
Top Colleges That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays :
The following schools are some of the top-ranked colleges in the country. We’ve provided some simple facts about each university, so you can decide whether these institutions are the right fit for you.
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1. Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is known for its R1-level global research and is ranked among the top 100 schools in the United States. Unlike other top colleges, you don’t have to submit an additional supplemental essay. The common app essay is enough for the application process.
2. Clemson University
Clemson University is recognized for its academic reputation and advanced research efforts. CU is one of the top universities in South Carolina and is ranked among the top 30 schools in the United States. Like Drexel, you only have to submit your common app essay to apply.
3. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in Phoenix, Arizona. This popular and well-known school does not require a supplemental essay . Instead, applicants only have to submit a Common Application to apply. The only exception is if you are applying to ASU’s honor program, in which case applicants must write a supplemental essay.
4. University of Alabama
The University of Alabama was founded in 1831 and has a long history of academic excellence. Primarily known for its Law School, students at UA have won a range of academic awards during its long history. No supplemental essays are required for UA, and there are tons of great majors to choose from. Many students choose to pursue Engineering and Communication majors.
5. University of Denver
The University of Denver is a private school that is also ranked within the top 100 schools in the country. This is a particularly great university for students who want to go into international relations, astronomy, and other diverse majors. Those interested in creative writing should also consider applying to UD, which has one of the oldest creative writing programs in the country.
6. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is ranked among the top 40 public universities in the United States. UD was founded in 1743 and offers over 300 programs to both undergraduate and graduate students. Supplemental essays are not required at UD; however, if you are applying to the honors program or Occupational Therapy, you will need to write supplemental essays. Otherwise, you can just fill in your Common Application essay.
7. University of South Carolina
Unless you are applying to its Honors Program, students interested in attending the University of South Carolina need only submit a Common Application essay. USC is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and offers students one of the country’s best college experiences. Highly ranked for its Greek life, amenities, and academic environment, USC is a great public university to consider adding to your list.
8. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota has been ranked among the top research universities in the world. This school is best known for its Ecology department, which is ranked second in the world. With a range of majors to choose from and a list of impressive alumni, this is another top college we recommend applying to—especially if you don’t want to submit a supplemental essay.
9. University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh is surrounded by the bustling and culturally rich city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. This top university is one of the country’s leading research universities in the country and is within the nation’s top 60 ranked schools. Students can choose to write a personal statement or may simply submit their essays through the Common Application . No supplemental essays are involved.
10. University of Vermont
The University of Vermont is surrounded by natural beauty. Students with a passion for nature and academics will love UVM. This so-called public ivy is rigorous and ranks well amongst other colleges. UVM is also right near ski slopes, hiking trails, and major bodies of water, which make it a perfect fit for students who want to get involved in extracurricular outdoor activities. The essay for the Common Application is optional, and no supplemental essays are needed.
11. Skidmore College
Dubbed as one of the “New Ivies,” Skidmore offers a prestigious and exclusive academic setting. This private school is ranked 39th among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. With only 2,400 students, Skidmore is smaller than other institutions on this list. However, if you want a school with a variety of majors with smaller class sizes, this is a great option.
12. Juniata College
Finally, if you are looking for a unique college experience without a supplemental essay requirement, consider applying to Juniata College. Juniata College is one of the country’s few institutions that doesn’t make its students declare a major. Instead, students create their own self-designed majors. Though pre-planned majors are also available, Juniata offers a rare chance to tailor your education to your needs.
Other Colleges Without Supplemental Essays:
In addition to the other top colleges, we listed above, there are other great schools that don’t require a supplemental essay . Check out some of your other options here.
Northeastern College
Rhodes college, kenyon college, oberlin college, connecticut college, seton hall university, colby college, case western reserve college, washington university , university of massachusetts, new jersey institute of technology.
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10 Amazing Colleges Without Supplemental Essays
Conventional wisdom claims that college hopefuls should apply to 12-15 schools to best increase their chances of getting into an institution that is a good fit for them.
But it can be difficult for a lot of students to imagine pulling that off without such a process requiring months of laborious application crafting.
Why? So many schools require their applicants to write pages upon pages of supplemental application materials.
On top of this, many students won’t know what college they want to go to until they hear back from several schools regarding different scholarships and opportunities available to them.
With some estimates showing that up to 55% of high school students feel unprepared for college, and up to 50% of college freshmen are undecided about their major, uncertainty is widespread during the college application process.
It is only natural, then, that such a big decision would be made easier if students were able to compare and contrast many options after casting a wide net.
In trying to cast that wide net, some might think that the best schools must have the longest applications. But that isn’t always the case.
This article breaks down 10 amazing schools that don’t require that students spend extra hours crafting an unnecessarily large number of supplemental essays. The following schools may require personal statements, but nothing beyond that.
In laying out this list, this article shows that it’s a misconception that good schools must have time-consuming applications.
As students begin to create their wide nets, any one of these schools would be fantastic additions that require little extra time spent on application-crafting.
University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
The University of Minnesota is the flagship institution of the Minnesota university system. Ranked 24th in academic and research excellence in the 2021 Shanghai Ranking, this campus, nestled within the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has produced 26 Nobel Prize-winning alumni, 3 Pulitzer Prizes , 25 Rhodes scholars , and about 130 Fulbright recipients.
The University of Minnesota has an especially impressive Ecology department, ranked second globally, alongside the world’s 10th best Management department, and the 11th best Biotechnology department.
The University of Minnesota is also home to institutes specifically designed for the study of Law and the Environment, Cognitive Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, Environmental study, Population studies, and more , assuring that students interested in these fields of study have a home on campus.
University of Denver (Denver, CO)
The University of Denver is a private research university in Denver, Colorado with incredibly strong Creative Writing, Astronomy, and Study Abroad departments.
Denver is home to one of the nation’s oldest Creative Writing programs, founded by renowned novelist John Edward Williams in 1966.
Their English department is also home to one of the most respected college literary magazines in the country, The Denver Quarterly.
For students hoping to study abroad, Denver has one of the most robust study abroad programs in the world, with some classes having up to 71% of their students being offered the chance to study abroad.
Finally, students interested in studying the heavens will have an unparalleled experience at Denver, as they have the 11th highest telescope in the world in terms of altitude at the Meyer-Womble Observatory .
Furman University (Greenville, SC)
Furman University is the oldest university in South Carolina, and is frequently ranked as one of the top universities in the Southern United States.
Students hoping to work towards a more sustainable future will find a home at Furman University. Furman University, lead by the Shi Institute for Sustainability, has won several awards for its sustainability initiatives, including Furman being ranked by the AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index as being the 10th most sustainable campus for all baccalaureate institutions. Furman also received the AASHE’s National Campus Sustainability Achievement Award in 2016.
For those looking to experience the serenity and beauty that a college campus can often provide to best enhance the overall student experience, Furman is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world, with USA Today ranking Furman as 4th in the nation in 2016.
Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA)
Juniata College offers its students a truly one of a kind experience by having its student not declare a major, but instead, a “ Program of Emphasis ,” through which students have the opportunity to create their own, self-designed major.
Students may choose from a set of pre-planned Programs of Emphasis or create their own.
In this way, Juniata gives students unique opportunities for academic exploration due to its more flexible curriculum requirements.
Nearly forty-five percent of Juniata students design their own program of emphasis.
Furthermore, Juniata has truly unique college-wide events which give the school a charming feeling of community.
The Madrigal Dinner , for example, features up to 700 students tenting outside Ellis Hall for up to a week for the chance at being the first in line for a massive, campus-wide feast.
Juniata has several unique celebrations of this sort, and a wonderful community atmosphere.
Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Skidmore College is considered one of the nation’s “ New Ivies .” Ranked as the 38th best liberal arts college in the United States, Skidmore College earns its reputation as one of the most prestigious in the nation.
Skidmore has one of the most robust Student Media infrastructures in the country. With the Salmagundi, a literary journal that has published the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Seamus Heaney, The Skidmore News, The Skidmo’ Daily, SkidTV, and more, those hoping to get hands-on experience with media production will have all the tools available to them to succeed at Skidmore.
With a focus on promoting creative thought, Skidmore provides its students state of the art artistic facilities via multi-million dollar theaters, music halls, and art galleries, so that those interested in honing their creative abilities can experience some of the absolute highest quality artistic institutions in the country.
Northeastern University (Boston, MA)
Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, which is second to none in enhancing their students’ education via internships, academics-related jobs, and career services.
Regularly ranked #1 in the country for Best Co-Ops/Internships by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review, and ranked as having the best career services department in the nation by the Princeton review, those hoping to kick-start their career with on-the-ground employment/experience will be in wonderful hands at Northeastern.
Northeastern has one of the world’s largest and oldest co-op programs. In a co-op, students alternate between a semester of study and a semester of relevant work/internship experience, which is typically paid.
While working, students do not pay tuition, and thus many students at Northeastern stay five years so that they can graduate with several years of work and academic experience under their belt.
Connecticut College (New London, CT)
Connecticut College has maintained a truly distinctive tradition for over eighty years. All students, faculty, and staff at Connecticut College operate under an Honor Code , a promise all college members make to uphold a standard of mutual respect, excellence, and communal values.
The Honor Code is taken so seriously that the college has an Honor Council , which litigates violations.
As such, it is no wonder, with a strict code of mutual respect that fosters community and cooperation among college members, that Connecticut College is ranked 25th among all liberal arts colleges for its contribution to the public good, as measured through the degree of social mobility a school provides, the service it does for the nation, and the good an institution’s research does.
With award-winning library systems, rigorous academics, and a slew of notable alumni, this college promises its students the chance to achieve both academically and as upstanding citizens.
Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ)
Seton Hall is a private, Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey. As one of the nation’s largest religious universities, Seton Hall is ranked as the #29 Catholic university in the nation by Niche.
Seton Hall produces the Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations , one of the largest diplomatic journals in the country, which promises students the chance to experience the forefront of international relations and diplomatic thought while studying at Seton.
Related to this, undergraduate students produce the Diplomatic Envoy, a weekly newspaper regarding foreign relations, further demonstrating the kinds of projects students interested in international relations can engage in while at Seton.
Furthermore, as an NCAA Division I, Big East Conference member, Seton Hall promises its students the full range of wonderful college athletics experiences to its students.
Colby College (Waterville, ME)
Colby College is another “ Little Ivy ” school, and is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 17th best liberal arts college in the nation, and the 5th Best Value school. Colby received an A+ from Niche in terms of academics and value, and an A for diversity.
Colby College is a model for sustainable institutions globally, as Colby is the largest college to have net zero carbon emissions, and is ranked as the most sustainable college in the country by Second Nature .
Colby is ideal for students wanting to pursue research or major projects, as Colby follows a 4-1-4 course schedule, where students take 4 classes in the Fall and Spring, and then take a single, intensive, “Jan-plan” class in the winter.
In this way, Colby allows students to dedicate themselves to one project, area of research, or specialization in the winter—a truly unique educational opportunity.
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH)
Case Western Reserve University, a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio, is truly one of the nation’s best.
Ranked as the #42 best university in the country by U.S. News and World Report, this university has it all, from the 18th best Theatre program in the world according to The Hollywood Reporter , to the world-renowned Electrochemistry and Electroengineering departments which recently received a grant of $10.75 million dollars from the U.S. Department of energy.
With over a hundred “centers” dedicated to the investigation of subjects ranging from Growth Studies to Nonprofit Organizing, any student in just about any discipline will find a center on campus specially designed for their area of study.
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The Best Colleges That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays
- Sasha Chada
- October 21, 2022
Table of Contents
Share this post.
Supplemental essays can add a lot of time, stress, and effort to the college application process. Some schools require four or five additional essays, and over a thousand words in addition to the personal statement. We’ve written before about the best ways to answer these essays , but today we’re taking a different approach.
There are some colleges which don’t require supplemental essays at all. Not all of these schools are great, but some are well ranked and regarded, and offer excellent academic opportunities. In this article, we’ll explore these schools, and explain how these schools can add value to your college list. Let’s get started!
How to Use These Schools in Your College List
When building your college list , one thing you need to think about is how much effort each additional school will require of you. While we explain how to limit your overall workload in our supplemental essays article , each school which requires essays is additional effort.
These schools are a good way to fill out your college list. We do recommend only applying to colleges which you actually want to attend, but if any of these schools appeal to you, then you can submit applications to them with minimal additional effort.
How you should handle this depends on whether a given school is a reach, target, or safety for you . Here is how we recommend approaching the various levels:
- Reach: if you are interested in these schools as reaches, and they are a realistic reach for you, we recommend applying to as many as you want. A shotgun approach is valid here. We still recommend only applying to schools you want to attend.
- Target: These schools are good for rounding out a list of target schools. You should not add all of them, but two or three added to your target list can give you additional options down the line.
- Safety: These schools can work as safety schools, and we recommend doing this if you think you can get a good merit aid offer from one of them. Note that merit aid, especially from honors colleges, may require separate essays to apply for.
Overall, these schools are a nice thing to know about, especially if you are stressed about writing your college essays. Now, we’ll give you a brief introduction to each school, and discuss how difficult each is to gain acceptance to.
Best Colleges that Don’t Require Supplemental Essays
This list is not comprehensive, and will be updated in the future, as schools are consistently reevaluating their admissions practices and policies. These are schools we have found which offer essay free admissions, and which are also consistently well ranked.
Case Western Reserve University
We have a fact sheet on Case Western if you are interested in a more in-depth look at what they offer. Their current acceptance rate is 27%, though their acceptance rate is 36% for students who apply early.
Located in Cleveland Ohio, Case Western has a focus on STEM subjects, though they still offer a full liberal arts curriculum for students who want it. The school is an R1 research university, and has a full complement of graduate schools. They are known for computer engineering, and had one of the first computer engineering programs in the country.
Grinnell College
Located in Grinnell, Iowa, Grinnell is a private liberal arts college. They are entirely need blind in admissions, and guarantee meeting the full need of all admitted students. Their acceptance rate this past admissions cycle was 11%. Grinell is a traditional liberal arts college, and their course offerings reflect this, with a focus on undergraduate education, and no graduate courses offered. Grinnell is considered on of the “Little Ivies” due to its high academic performance.
Kenyon College
Located in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon is a private liberal arts institution, focused on undergraduate education. Their acceptance rate this past year was 37%. They are Ohio’s oldest private college, and require students to take courses in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and natural sciences. They do not offer courses for graduate students.
Middlebury College
Located in Middlebury, Vermont, Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college. Their acceptance rate last year was 15%, and was the same for applicants who applied early. They offer a liberal arts curriculum for undergrads, though they don’t offer courses for graduate students. While it does not have its own engineering program, students interested in engineering may take part in a joint program the school offers with Columbia and Dartmouth.
Northeastern University
If you are interested in a more in-depth look at Northeastern, check out our fact sheet on them . Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern is a research university, offering a full range of undergraduate and graduate coursework. The school is well ranked, though often overshadowed by other universities in the Boston area. It is especially well known for its internship programs, and has remarkable success connecting students with opportunities which lead to careers in the future.
Oberlin College
Located in Oberlin, Ohio, Oberlin is the oldest coeducational private liberal arts college in the country, and continues to offer students a range of academic opportunities. Oberlin is also a conservatory, which handles admissions separately from the undergraduate college as a whole, and which is more competitive. Last year, Oberlin’s acceptance rate was 34%, though the conservatories acceptance rate was only 8.6%. Oberlin is a traditional liberal arts college, and does not offer courses for graduate students.
The Ohio State University
Located in Columbus, Ohio, OSU is a major research university, and is also well known for its football program. It is an R1 research university, and offers courses at undergraduate and graduate levels across an array of disciplines. Last year, it’s acceptance rate was 54%, with an early acceptance rate of 67%. While admissions to the college as a whole does not require a supplemental essay, students interested in applying to the honors program will have to answer a supplemental essay prompt. OSU is by far the largest school on this list by undergraduate population, with 47,100 students attending.
Temple University
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Temple is a public research university, and is one of the largest professional schools in the country. Its acceptance rate last year was 72%. As an R1 research university, Temple offers coursework in all fields and disciplines. While general admissions does not require an essay, an audition is required for the music and dance programs.
University of Pittsburgh
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pitt is an R1 public research university. While it is a major research institution, they have a liberal arts style curriculum and experience for those students who want it. Their admissions rate last year was 67%. While general admissions does not require an essay, the honors college does.
Wesleyan University
Located in Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan is a Liberal Arts college, and is considered one of the “Little Ivies.” The school is often associated with Brown, though they are not officially linked, and offers a liberal arts curriculum. Last year, their acceptance rate was 16.3%. While they do not have an engineering program themselves, they have partnered with Caltech and Columbia to provide engineering opportunities for their students. While they focus primarily on undergraduates, there are a limited number of graduate students at Wesleyan.
Final Thoughts
Writing college essays is often the most stressful part of college applications, and is the thing we spend the most time on with our students. Not all students enjoy writing however, and for some the stress of having to craft a perfect essay overwhelms all other concerns. We hope that this list of schools gives you more options when you are applying to college.
If you want help writing your college essays, or want to hear how else we can help you on the road to college, schedule a free consultation today. We have a depth of experience in helping students express themselves fully, and are eager to help you tell your story to the college of your dreams.
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Colleges Without Supplemental Essays
- By Annie Burdick
Published March 19, 2020 | Last Updated September 9th, 2023 at 03:25 pm
You’re ready to apply for colleges, and perhaps you’ve already begun the process of selecting your preferred schools and filling in their long applications.
No matter where you apply, it’s likely that you’ll come across similar application processes with countless questions about how to contact you, what you did in high school (facts and figures at the forefront), and what you want to do in college.
But the component that some schools will also demand–one or more supplemental application essays –is something you can avoid by doing some research and applying only to particular schools that don’t have these requirements.
That means if writing essays is a major issue or red flag for you, it is possible to tailor your list of school options and applications to schools that won’t demand extra time for essay-writing when you already have enough on your plate.
Why Are There Colleges Without Supplemental Essays?
While certain types of colleges base many of their acceptance decisions on the dreaded application essays, others don’t require them at all.
This may seem counterintuitive at first, and it may seem to imply that the schools without supplemental essays are of a lower caliber.
This isn’t necessarily the case. There are a few key reasons why a university may opt not to ask for essays:
- Resources and Time: Reading thousands of individual essays is a lot to put on the plate of admissions officers and often means some essays would go unread. While this is a waste of students’ hard work and the admission offers’ time, it’s something they avoid.
Instead, small schools without enough staff or time to read essays often don’t require them. And similarly, very large schools that get many thousands of applications each year often choose to forego essays as well, and focus instead on scores and numbers and availability in particular programs.
For instance, a liberal arts college and an engineering college at the same large university will also have different application components, different admission requirements (scores and GPA, for instance), and different numbers of accepted students each year.
- Straightforward Set of Admissions Criteria: Other schools choose just to make things easier on themselves and use a very paired-down set of criteria: GPA, test scores, and class rank, most commonly–that instantly determine if someone is in or out.
In these cases, some applicants do become what’s known as “borderline” and are right on the edge of some or all of the criteria (or perhaps they exceed some and fall short in others).
In these cases, to strengthen their chances, students may be given the option to add a supplemental essay to their application, making them a stronger candidate and demonstrating their interest.
- Focusing on Diversity: Some colleges want to attract a more diverse and large group of applicants.
As essays can be a deterrent for many, including students with learning or other disabilities or less spare time due to work or circumstances, these schools opt out of requiring them altogether and thus make their application process much more accessible to any student who is interested. They’re of the mindset that anyone, regardless of background, might be a great student for their university.
How Can You Find Colleges That Don’t Require Essays?
You could go about this in two different ways. The first is to start by using other criteria to find a list of schools that are of interest to you.
The presence or lack of an application essay is likely not your number one quality in a college. So explore your options first, and compile a list.
What factors are most important to you? Location? Degree program or learning opportunities? Tuition and other costs? Size? There are so many things to consider.
Once you’ve come up with a solid list, if you want to narrow down your top applications to the schools with no supplemental essays, take a look at their application pages.
If you look on their sites or even start an application, it should be quite clearly stated what is involved in the application (the fee, the requirements, any essays).
If they don’t require one, congrats!
Do keep in mind, though, that if they provide the option for an essay and you’re on their borderline for scores and grades, adding an essay will make you stand out.
The other option is to go about it in the reverse order.
If the lack of an essay is a huge deal for you, there are many places that list major schools with no supplemental essay requirements.
This article is among those places, as we’ve included a list of many schools below.
You can narrow down those lists further by your other criteria like the ones mentioned above. Come up with a small list of applications to prioritize and work from that!
Once you’ve done some essay-less applications, if you have the motivation or time you could always do one or two extra applications that do have essays but are schools at the top of your list.
What Colleges Don’t Require Essays?
There are many, so this list is by no means all of the schools that don’t require one.
And, because there are many, it’s also broken down by type/size of school.
Notably missing from any list of universities without application essays are Ivy League schools and most private colleges.
As you can probably guess, these schools have much more involved applications and, in the case of Ivy League schools, likely multiple essays among other application components.
Lar ge Universities
Among these are many Big 10 schools, major state universities, and highly desirable universities from around the country (though you’ll notice a trend toward Southern, Midwestern, and Western states and none in New England).
- University of Alabama
- University of Alaska
- Arizona State
- University of Colorado-Denver
- DePaul University
- University of South Florida
- University of Hawaii-Manoa
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- Kansas State
- Kent State University
- Louisiana State University -Baton Rouge
- Eastern Michigan University
- University of Minnesota
- University of Mississippi
- University of Missouri
- University of Nevada – Reno
- University of New Mexico
- University of Pittsburgh
- Utah State University
- West Virginia University
Smaller Universities
These smaller schools are some of the many in that category that don’t mandate application essays (and some of the more popular among those). These schools have a smaller student body size, which is appealing to some students, based on their individual preferences.
- Alabama State University
- Arkansas State University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- University of Idaho
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- University of Southern Indiana
- Kentucky State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- St. John’s University (NY & MN)
- University of Montana
- University of South Dakota
- University of Wyoming
For the record, approximately one-third of Common App members don’t require “supplements” or college-specific essays.
Choosing where you’ll spend the next years of your life is no simple matter, and we know there is a ton of thought that goes into it.
But, no matter the long list of other factors going into your top colleges list, if avoiding hours of essays is important to you, there are certainly schools to stick to that will help you in achieving that goal–great ones, at that.
Use R2C Insights to help find merit aid and schools that fit the criteria most important to your student. You’ll not only save precious time, but your student will avoid the heartache of applying to schools they aren’t likely to get into or can’t afford to attend.
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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. Yes, connect me!
- 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.
- 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. Yes, connect me!
- 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. Yes, connect me!
- 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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Colleges That Don’t Require Any Supplemental Essays
- Adelphi University
- Alaska Pacific University
- Albion College
- Alma College
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Barry University
- Bates College
- Bay Path University
- Beloit College
- Bryant University
- Butler University
- Caldwell University
- Capital University
- Centenary College of Louisiana
- Christopher Newport University
- Clarkson University
- Colby College
- College of Saint Benedict
- Concordia University Wisconsin
- Cornell College
- Cottey College
- DePaul University
- Elmira College
- Gettysburg College
- Grinnell College
- Hanover College
- Hellenic College
- Hollins University
- Hope College
- Iona University
- Juniata College
- Kenyon College
- Lyon College
- McKendree University
- Menlo College
- Middlebury College
- Northeastern University
- Northern Vermont University Johnson
- Northern Vermont University Lyndon
- Ohio State University
- Ripon College
- Pace University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Sacred Heart University
- Salisbury University
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- SUNY Binghamton University
- Susquehanna University
- Temple University
- Trinity University
- Union College
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Connecticut
- University of Idaho
- University of Missouri – St. Louis
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of New Hampshire
- University of Rhode Island
- Wesleyan University
- Whitman College
- Wilkes University
- Woodbury University
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Category: Admissions , College Admissions , Uncategorized
Tags: Admissions , admissions help , advice , application , applying to college , college application , college applications , college essay advisors , college list , colleges , list
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Top Colleges without Supplemental Essays 2023
- November 4, 2022
- Parents Must Read , Student Admission , Study Abroad , Under Graduate
Supplemental essays are additional pieces of writing required by many highly-selective universities, and they can be just as revealing and important as your personal statement. However, while applying to multiple colleges, writing these supplemental essays take a lot of time and effort as well. In this article, we will go through the top colleges without supplemental essays. Additionally, we will also go through the advantage & disadvantages, and application tips.
Supplemental College Essays
A supplemental essay gives you an opportunity to tell the admissions committee about something you weren’t able to cover in your main essay. These supplemental essays are usually shorter than the main college essay, but they are equally important. Some colleges ask for just one supplemental essay while others may require several.
Supplemental essay prompts come in all shapes and sizes. In some cases, schools let applicants choose from several options. In addition to the Personal Statement, many colleges require applicants to submit supplemental essays. Students need to respond to a wide variety of topics like their most meaningful activity, their interest in a particular college or major, or an important community they belong to.
Supplemental essays give the opportunity to applicants to give more information to an admissions committee to further show why they are a good fit for a school. Prospective students should keep in mind not to repeat something that has already been covered in their main essay.
Pros and Cons of applying to colleges without supplemental essays:
Colleges do care about supplemental essays as your writing gives colleges extra insight into who you are as a person beyond your grades.
Strong supplemental essays give you an advantage in your application to many different schools is your chance to prove that you know what makes the school special and that you are excited to attend that particular institution.
Good supplementary essays highlight two points, that you are a good fit for a college and simultaneously complement the college by discussing its unique strengths.
Colleges that do not require a supplemental essay help students pad their numbers, apply to more schools, and have more options. It is recommended that most students apply to 8-12 colleges—that is two safeties, four targets, and two reaches. This strategy boosts you from getting into multiple schools, increases your options, and supports negotiating for more financial aid.
Key Advantage of Applying to Colleges without Supplemental Essays
Applying to many schools is time taking, especially considering that many schools require supplemental essays as part of their application. Applying to 10 colleges could mean that you need to write 10-20 extra essays. But there are many schools that do not have any extra essays beyond the Common App essay or personal statement; you can balance out your list without the additional writing.
Disadvantages of Applying to Colleges without Supplemental Colleges
Applying only to schools with no supplement would limit your options severely, and is not recommended. Supplement essays are proof of how much you care about a particular college and if you are really excited to attend a particular college, you will not mind extra application work; after all, it gives you a chance to show a college why they should accept you.
On the other hand, if you are turned off by writing a supplemental essay, it could indicate that you are not as excited about a school as you thought you were.
So, what should you do?
To conclude, supplemental essay requirements should not be your major deciding factor as to whether or not you apply to a school unless you are truly short on time. What is most important is whether or not you will fit in with the school academically and socially.
How to improve admission chances if no Supplemental Essays are required:
As you begin the college application process, you realize that applying to colleges can take a lot of work. Putting together a personal statement that helps demonstrate to colleges what type of person you are, an activity list, and supplemental essays are time-consuming and you spend months preparing it.
Over the years, the number of applications submitted to Common App, one of the biggest college application platforms, has increased. First of all, it is important to build a balanced college list rather than applying to only the most competitive schools keeping safety, matches, targets, career, major goals, financial aid, school size, location, and more.
Once this information has been gathered, students can start categorizing their school list into safety schools, match schools and reach schools. A mixture of these three types of schools can help you create a balanced college list- Safety schools. Match schools. Reach schools.
Key Components to Focus on while Applying to Colleges without Supplemental Essays
As you do not have to write essays, the only way you can convince admissions officers that you are a strong applicant is by taking advantage of the following components –
Personal Statement
The personal statement is a common essay that is submitted to all the colleges you apply and colleges that don’t require supplemental essays are no exception to this rule.
The most common of these are the Common App essay prompts . You only have to write about one of the prompts provided by the Common App. The word limit is 650 words, which is a very small number to narrate a powerful story without leaving out too many important details. At the end of the day, you can write about anything, as long as it tells a story unique to you.
Activities List
When it comes to building a strong extracurricular activities list, it’s important to prioritize your passions, career interests, and ways to establish yourself as a leader. Prestigious colleges want to see tangible achievements and commitment toward activities you enjoy.
If you see a gap in the activities at your school or find an opportunity to involve a greater community, go ahead and take initiative. Once you have built your extracurricular profile, make a list of your activities and describe what you did in order of impressiveness.
Letters of Recommendation
A college recommendation letter is a note from someone who knows you well academic or professional setting. Your teacher or counselor can do justice to this role, highlighting your best qualities and why they recommend you for a position or institution you’re applying for. In most cases, colleges require letters of recommendation from two persons; a teacher or a counselor who knows you the best.
List of Top Colleges without Supplemental Essays:
Liberal arts colleges that do not require supplemental essays.
- Albion College
- Allegheny College
- Bates College
- Beloit College
- Coe College
- Colby College
- Colgate University (optional)
- College of the Holy Cross
- Connecticut College
- Denison University
- DePauw University
- Dickinson University
- Drew University
- Franklin and Marshall College
- Furman University
- Gettysburg College
- Goucher College
- Grinnell College
- Hamilton College
- Hanover College
- Hollins University
- Hope College
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Juniata College
- Kenyon College
- Middlebury College
- Muhlenberg College
- New College of Florida
- Oberlin College
- Rhodes College
- Ripon College
- Sewanee—University of the South
- Siena College
- Skidmore College
- Spelman College
- St. John’s College (essay optional except for Pharmacy program)
- St. Lawrence University
- Susquehanna University
- Thomas Aquinas College
- Union College
- Ursinus College
- Wesleyan University (there are essays only for international students)
- Whitman College
- Willamette University
- Williams College
National Universities that do not require Supplemental Essays
- Binghamton University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Clark University
- Clemson University
- DePaul University
- Drexel University
- Florida State University
- Gonzaga University
- Miami University
- Michigan State University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Ohio State University
- Purdue University
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Stony Brook University (Honors College has an essay requirement)
- SUNY Buffalo
- Temple University
- Tulane University
- 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
- University of Minnesota
- University of Nebraska—Lincoln
- University of New Hampshire
- University of the Pacific
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of St. Thomas
Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 .
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- International Student
- Essay Writing Center
- Admission Essays
Colleges and Universities that Don't Require an Admission Essay to Apply
Writing and submitting an admission essay is possibly the most notorious step of the college application process. Students applying to schools spend months deciding what to write about, drafting, proofreading, and editing their admission essays. For international students, particularly those who speak English as a second language, writing an admission essay can be particularly daunting. Thankfully, there are a number of colleges and universities that don’t require an admission essay!
What is an Admission Essay?
Most US colleges and universities require applicants to write a short essay about themselves or a specific topic as part of the application process. These essays might be in response to a specific prompt, such as: “Who has been the most influential person in your life?” or “What event has most shaped the person you are today?” but most applications offer open-ended prompts that allow applicants to choose the topic they would like to write about.
Admission essays provide insight into your writing skills, but they also help admission boards get a sense of who you are as a person- something that test scores and GPA scores don’t allow. The essay gives you an opportunity to talk clearly about your goals, and can give admissions officers a better idea of how well you might fit in with the school.
However, these essays can be particularly difficult and stressful for international students, particularly students who speak English as a second language. The ability to write clearly and concisely about yourself in a foreign language is not an easy skill to achieve, and some international students may prefer to avoid the admission essay altogether. Luckily, there are a number of colleges and universities that don’t require an admission essay. This could be for a variety of reasons:
Why do some colleges not require an admission essay?
It takes an admissions officer a lot of time to read and evaluate college application essays. For small schools with less resources and large schools that receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, the resources required to read every essay from every applicant may outweigh the benefits of the extra information gained from the admission essay.
Many colleges choose to only require essays for the most competitive programs, such as honors programs, engineering, and nursing, or for scholarships, where additional information may be more instrumental in making decisions.
Some schools, particularly public schools, admit students based on a specific selection index, which is based on a combination of GPA, test scores, and/or class rank. If applicants meet the minimum index score cutoff, they are automatically admitted.
However, if you are a “borderline” candidate, meaning you don’t quite meet the minimum criteria, these schools often require or recommend that you write an admission essay. This will allow you the opportunity to provide additional information on why you feel you would be a good fit for the school in spite of not quite meeting the academic criteria.
Some schools hope that by eliminating the application essay they can make the application process easier and attract a wider variety of applicants. They hope that by presenting their application process as an easier alternative to more intensive applications, more students will apply to their institution.
How to Make Your Application Stand Out Without an Essay
Because so much of your interests and personality come through in your essay, if you’re not submitting an essay you need to make sure the rest of your application really pops. There are a few different ways that you can do that:
Obviously, you want to do well in all of your classes, but literature courses in particular will be seen as placeholders for your essay-writing skills. When schools don’t require an application essay, they will likely look more closely at your grades in classes that are more writing-intensive, to make sure that your writing skills are up to par.
Make sure that your recommendations are coming from the best possible people for you. You’ll want to ask people who know you well and can speak about who you really are, as well as your accomplishments. Without an application essay, you may not have the space in your application to talk about your extracurricular activities, so you’ll want to find references who can discuss this aspect of your life.
Many schools offer the option for students to submit a resume along with their applications. This is another chance for you to promote your extracurricular activities. Before you put together your resume, do some research and find a solid template. Make sure your resume is well balanced with academic and extracurricular accomplishments, is not longer than one page, and is free of typos and spelling errors
Colleges and Universities in the United States that Don’t Require an Admission Essay
If you want to know if a particular school requires an essay to apply, search “[name of school] international student admissions requirements” on Google. This should result in a list of guidelines for applying to that school. If you’re looking more generally for schools that don’t require essays, below is a list of a few US colleges and universities that don’t require an admission essay to apply:
- University of Alabama
- Alabama State University
- University of Alaska
- Arizona State
- Arkansas State University
- California State University
- University of Colorado - Denver
- University of South Florida
- Full Sail University
- University of Hawaii - Manoa
- University of Idaho
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- University of Southern Indiana
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- Kansas State
- University of Kansas
- Kentucky State University
- Louisiana State University -Baton Rouge
- University of Louisiana - Lafayette
- Eastern Michigan University
- Western Michigan University
- University of Minnesota
- University of Mississippi
- Mississippi State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- University of Missouri
- University of Montana
- University of Nevada - Reno
- Daniel Webster College
- University of New Mexico
- University of South Dakota
- Tennessee State University
- Utah State University
- West Virginia University
- University of Wyoming
If you’re interested in applying to colleges or universities that do require admission essays, check out our Essay Writing Center for tips and advice you can use to improve your essay writing skills.
Related Content:
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How not to write your college essay.
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If you are looking for the “secret formula” for writing a “winning” college essay, you have come to the wrong place. The reality is there is no silver bullet or strategy to write your way to an acceptance. There is not one topic or approach that will guarantee a favorable outcome.
At the end of the day, every admission office just wants to know more about you, what you value, and what excites you. They want to hear about your experiences through your own words and in your own voice. As you set out to write your essay, you will no doubt get input (both sought-after and unsolicited) on what to write. But how about what NOT Notcoin to write? There are avoidable blunders that applicants frequently make in drafting their essays. I asked college admission leaders, who have read thousands of submissions, to share their thoughts.
Don’t Go In There
There is wide consensus on this first one, so before you call on your Jedi mind tricks or predictive analytics, listen to the voices of a diverse range of admission deans. Peter Hagan, executive director of admissions at Syracuse University, sums it up best, saying, “I would recommend that students try not to get inside of our heads. He adds, “Too often the focus is on what they think we want.”
Andy Strickler, dean of admission and financial aid at Connecticut College agrees, warning, “Do NOT get caught in the trap of trying to figure out what is going to impress the admission committee. You have NO idea who is going to read your essay and what is going to connect with them. So, don't try to guess that.” Victoria Romero, vice president for enrollment, at Scripps College adds, “Do not write about something you don’t care about.” She says, “I think students try to figure out what an admission officer wants to read, and the reality is the reader begins every next essay with no expectations about the content THEY want to read.” Chrystal Russell, dean of admission at Hampden-Sydney College, agrees, saying, “If you're not interested in writing it, we will not be interested when reading it.” Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont elaborates, advising. “Don’t try to make yourself sound any different than you are.” He says, “The number one goal for admission officers is to better understand the applicant, what they like to do, what they want to do, where they spend the majority of their time, and what makes them tick. If a student stays genuine to that, it will shine through and make an engaging and successful essay.”
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Don’t Be Artificial
The headlines about college admission are dominated by stories about artificial intelligence and the college essay. Let’s set some ground rules–to allow ChatGPT or some other tool to do your work is not only unethical, it is also unintelligent. The only worse mistake you could make is to let another human write your essay for you. Instead of preoccupying yourself with whether or not colleges are using AI detection software (most are not), spend your time focused on how best to express yourself authentically. Rick Clark is the executive director of strategic student success at Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the first institutions to clearly outline their AI policy for applicants. He says, “Much of a college application is devoted to lines, boxes, and numbers. Essays and supplements are the one place to establish connection, personality, and distinction. AI, in its current state, is terrible at all three.” He adds, “My hope is that students will use ChatGPT or other tools for brainstorming and to get started, but then move quickly into crafting an essay that will provide insight and value.”
Don’t Overdo It
Michael Stefanowicz, vice president for enrollment management at Landmark College says, “You can only cover so much detail about yourself in an admission essay, and a lot of students feel pressure to tell their life story or choose their most defining experience to date as an essay topic. Admission professionals know that you’re sharing just one part of your lived experience in the essay.” He adds, “Some of the favorite essays I’ve read have been episodic, reflecting on the way you’ve found meaning in a seemingly ordinary experience, advice you’ve lived out, a mistake you’ve learned from, or a special tradition in your life.” Gary Ross, vice president for admission and financial aid at Colgate University adds, “More than a few applicants each year craft essays that talk about the frustration and struggles they have experienced in identifying a topic for their college application essay. Presenting your college application essay as a smorgasbord of topics that ultimately landed on the cutting room floor does not give us much insight into an applicant.”
Don’t Believe In Magic
Jason Nevinger, senior director of admission at the University of Rochester warns, “Be skeptical of anyone or any company telling you, ‘This is the essay that got me into _____.’ There is no magic topic, approach, sentence structure, or prose that got any student into any institution ever.” Social media is littered with advertisements promising strategic essay help. Don’t waste your time, energy, or money trying to emulate a certain style, topic, or tone. Liz Cheron is chief executive officer for the Coalition for College and former assistant vice president of enrollment & dean of admissions at Northeastern University. She agrees with Nevinger, saying “Don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect, slam dunk topic. The vast majority of college essays do exactly what they're supposed to do–they are well-written and tell the admission officer more about the student in that student's voice–and that can take many different forms.”
Don’t Over Recycle
Beatrice Atkinson-Myers, associate director of global recruitment at the University of California at Santa Cruz tells students, “Do not use the same response for each university; research and craft your essay to match the program at the university you are interested in studying. Don't waste time telling me things I can read elsewhere in your application. Use your essay to give the admissions officer insights into your motivations, interests, and thinking. Don't make your essay the kitchen sink, focus on one or two examples which demonstrate your depth and creativity.” Her UC colleague, Jim Rawlins, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the University of California at San Diego agrees, saying “Answer the question. Not doing so is the surest way we can tell you are simply giving us a snippet of something you actually wrote for a different purpose.”
Don’t Overedit
Emily Roper-Doten, vice president for undergraduate admissions and financial assistance at Clark University warns against “Too many editors!” She says, “Pick a couple of trusted folks to be your sounding board when considering topics and as readers once you have drafts. You don’t want too many voices in your essay to drown you out!” Scripps’ Romero agrees, suggesting, “Ask a good friend, someone you trust and knows you well, to read your essays.” She adds, “The goal is for the admission committee to get to know a little about you and who better to help you create that framework, than a good friend. This may not work for all students because of content but helps them understand it’s important to be themselves.” Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at The University of Pennsylvania adds, “Avoid well-meaning editorial interference that might seem to polish your writing but actually takes your own personal ‘shine’ right out of the message.” She says, “As readers, we connect to applicants through their genuine tone and style. Considering editorial advice for flow and message is OK but hold on to the 'you' for what you want to say and how you want to say it.”
Don’t Get Showy
Palmer Muntz, senior regional admissions counselor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks cautions applicants, “Don’t be fancier than you are. You don’t need to put on airs.” He adds, “Yes, proofread your work for grammar and spelling, but be natural. Craft something you’d want to read yourself, which probably means keeping your paragraphs short, using familiar words, and writing in an active voice.” Connecticut College’s Strickler agrees, warning, “Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are not funny, don't try to write a funny essay. If you are not an intellectual, trying to write an intellectual essay is a bad idea.”
Anthony Jones, the vice president of enrollment management at Loyola University New Orleans offers a unique metaphor for thinking about the essay. He says, “In the new world of the hyper-fast college admission process, it's become easy to overlook the essential meaning of the college application. It's meant to reveal Y...O...U, the real you, not some phony digital avatar. Think of the essay as the essence of that voice but in analog. Like the completeness and authenticity captured in a vinyl record, the few lines you're given to explain your view should be a slow walk through unrestrained expression chock full of unapologetic nuances, crevices of emotion, and exactness about how you feel in the moment. Then, and only then, can you give the admissions officer an experience that makes them want to tune in and listen for more.”
Don’t Be A Downer
James Nondorf, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at The University of Chicago says, “Don’t be negative about other people, be appreciative of those who have supported you, and be excited about who you are and what you will bring to our campus!” He adds, “While admissions offices want smart students for our classrooms, we also want kind-hearted, caring, and joyous students who will add to our campus communities too.”
Don’t Pattern Match
Alan Ramirez is the dean of admission and financial aid at Sewanee, The University of the South. He explains, “A big concern I have is when students find themselves comparing their writing to other students or past applicants and transform their writing to be more like those individuals as a way to better their chances of offering a more-compelling essay.” He emphasizes that the result is that the “essay is no longer authentic nor the best representation of themselves and the whole point of the essay is lost. Their distinctive voice and viewpoint contribute to the range of voices in the incoming class, enhancing the diversity of perspectives we aim to achieve.” Ramirez simple tells students, “Be yourself, that’s what we want to see, plus there's no one else who can do it better than you!”
Don’t Feel Tied To A Topic
Jessica Ricker is the vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid at Skidmore College. She says, “Sometimes students feel they must tell a story of grief or hardship, and then end up reliving that during the essay-writing process in ways that are emotionally detrimental. I encourage students to choose a topic they can reflect upon positively but recommend that if they choose a more challenging experience to write about, they avoid belaboring the details and instead focus on the outcome of that journey.” She adds, "They simply need to name it, frame its impact, and then help us as the reader understand how it has shaped their lens on life and their approach moving forward.”
Landmark College’s Stefanowicz adds, “A lot of students worry about how personal to get in sharing a part of their identity like your race or heritage (recalling last year’s Supreme Court case about race-conscious admissions), a learning difference or other disability, your religious values, LGBTQ identity…the list goes on.” He emphasizes, “This is always your choice, and your essay doesn’t have to be about a defining identity. But I encourage you to be fully yourself as you present yourself to colleges—because the college admission process is about finding a school where your whole self is welcome and you find a setting to flourish!”
Don’t Be Redundant
Hillen Grason Jr., dean of admission at Franklin & Marshall College, advises, “Don't repeat academic or co-curricular information that is easily identifiable within other parts of your application unless the topic is a core tenant of you as an individual.” He adds, “Use your essay, and other parts of your application, wisely. Your essay is the best way to convey who your authentic self is to the schools you apply. If you navigated a situation that led to a dip in your grades or co-curricular involvement, leverage the ‘additional information’ section of the application.
Thomas Marr is a regional manager of admissions for the Americas at The University of St Andrews in Scotland and points out that “Not all international schools use the main college essay as part of their assessment when reviewing student applications.” He says, “At the University of St Andrews, we focus on the supplemental essay and students should avoid the mistake of making the supplemental a repeat of their other essay. The supplemental (called the Personal Statement if using the UCAS application process) is to show the extent of their passion and enthusiasm for the subject/s to which they are applying and we expect about 75% of the content to cover this. They can use the remaining space to mention their interests outside of the classroom. Some students confuse passion for the school with passion for their subject; do not fall into that trap.”
A Few Final Don’ts
Don’t delay. Every college applicant I have ever worked with has wished they had started earlier. You can best avoid the pitfalls above if you give yourself the time and space to write a thoughtful essay and welcome feedback openly but cautiously. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect . Do your best, share your voice, and stay true to who you are.
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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, 3.0 gpa schools—what colleges can i realistically get into.
Hey everyone, I'm a junior with a 3.0 GPA and wondering which colleges I have a good shot at getting into. What types of schools should I be looking at? Any recommendations on colleges that are known for accepting students with a 3.0 GPA?
With a 3.0 GPA, you have a wide range of options to consider, from regional universities to some state schools. Keep in mind your chances will depend on factors like standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and essays. Here are a few suggestions to kickstart your research:
1. Regional Public Universities: Many regional public universities will accept students with a 3.0 GPA, like Boise State University, Eastern Washington University, or California State University, Sacramento. These schools typically offer strong programs and resources but might not have as much national recognition as larger, more selective universities.
2. State Schools: You also have a shot at various state schools, especially if you're applying in-state. For example, if you're from New York, you could explore schools within the SUNY system like SUNY Buffalo State or SUNY Plattsburgh. Other states also have public schools with varied levels of selectivity, so be sure to research the public universities in your state.
3. Smaller Private Colleges: You might want to look into smaller private colleges that feature a holistic admissions process—meaning they consider factors beyond GPA like involvement and personal growth. Examples include University of Idaho, Drexel University, or Suffolk University.
4. Test-Optional Colleges: If your standardized test scores aren't on par with your GPA, definitely consider test-optional colleges that don't require SAT or ACT scores. This can help shift the focus to your personal achievements and growth, rather than relying solely on objective criteria. Schools like University of Arizona and University of Central Florida offer a test-optional admissions process.
Remember that your extracurricular activities, essays, and other application materials will also play a significant role in your admissions chances. As you research schools, be sure to explore their programs, campus culture, and financial aid offerings to determine which ones would be the best fit for you.
About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.
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What’s the Best City for New College Graduates?
A recent study ranked 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on median rents, job opportunities and social metrics.
By Matt Yan
Recent college graduates have plenty on their minds this summer: The national unemployment rate ticked up last month, and a widening generational wealth gap is making it harder than ever to buy a first home. Where are they supposed to go now?
A new study by Zumper might help. It analyzed the country’s 100 most populous cities to find the best ones for new graduates based on several metrics (where adequate data was available). They include median one-bedroom rents and restaurants per capita, as well as U.S. Census Bureau data on the population of 18-to-34 year olds, the number of 25-year-olds with bachelor’s degrees, the number of single people, the median income of younger residents, and local unemployment rates.
Topping the list was Minneapolis, which had a reasonable median one-bedroom rent ($1,150 a month) and ranked 15th for its unemployment rate (5.2 percent). Oklahoma City’s median rent ($849) was the lowest among the top 15 cities, helping it rank 10th overall. San Francisco ranked fifth thanks to its high median income ($87,946) for people 25 and younger — which helps with its huge median rent ($2,895).
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If you’re thinking about New York City, which finished 20th overall, it had the highest median rent of any metro in the study. But it also had the largest population of residents between the ages of 18 and 34 (more than 2 million), and scored well for median income.
Where to Take Your Degree
A study by Zumper ranked 100 U.S. cities on their suitability for recent college graduates based on economic, social and employment opportunities.
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Western Oregon University. Required only for students who don't meet minimum academic requirements. Admission primarily via GPA (3.0+) and recommendation; test optional except for students applying for scholarships and honors, or for those who don't meet minimum academic requirements. Eastern Oregon University.
15) Drexel University. Drexel University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require all students to complete the 250 to 650 essay on the Common or Coalition Application. However, the short answer question is optional.
So, although Bates is among the colleges that don't require essays, the Bates College acceptance rate means intense competition for admittance. 9. Northeastern University. This well-known university in Boston, Massachusetts, is among the most competitive colleges without supplemental essays with an 18% acceptance rate.
Helps Level The Admissions Playing Field - For students who don't think their talents are in writing but have solid grades and standardized test scores, applying to more schools that don't require ...
By adding some schools that don't require a supplemental essay to your college list, students can pad their numbers, apply to more schools, and have more options. Albion College. Case Western ...
Applying to 10 colleges could mean that you need to write 10-20 extra essays! Luckily, there are many schools that don't have any extra essays beyond the Common App essay or personal statement, if you're looking for schools to balance out your list without the additional writing. Below is a list of 45 liberal arts colleges and universities ...
As you go through this list, research the universities without supplemental essays that most stand out to you. And remember, there are lots of top colleges without supplemental essays! College name. Location. Undergraduate population. Tuition and fees. College website. Colby College. Waterville, ME.
Well, good news—there are plenty of colleges and universities that don't require ANY supplemental essays. A WORD OF CAUTION. TTA Top Tip: Without supplemental essays, your Common App main essay MUST make an impression on admissions officers, highlighting what YOU will bring to THEIR community. Grades and scores remain the gatekeeper but ...
So, we offer you a list of colleges that don't require supplemental essays. Although most colleges definitely want to see students answer school-specific prompts to determine fit, there are several top colleges that don't require supplemental essays, including Williams, Middlebury, and Northeastern. Take a look at the full list below.
Having a list with colleges categorized as safeties, matches, and targets ensures that students will get into a number of schools, giving them options on May 1 when making their college decision. Applying To Schools With No Supplemental Essays. Here is a list of schools that don't require supplemental essays to apply to their undergraduate ...
Some schools only require the Common App's 650-word personal statement essay. Other schools, though, require additional essays and ask more targeted and specialized questions. These more targeted essays are known as supplemental essays. Top Colleges That Don't Require Supplemental Essays:
Public domain photo by Nick Kline via Wikimedia Commons. Colby College is another " Little Ivy " school, and is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 17th best liberal arts college in the nation, and the 5th Best Value school. Colby received an A+ from Niche in terms of academics and value, and an A for diversity.
Best Colleges that Don't Require Supplemental Essays. This list is not comprehensive, and will be updated in the future, as schools are consistently reevaluating their admissions practices and policies. These are schools we have found which offer essay free admissions, and which are also consistently well ranked. Case Western Reserve University
University of South Dakota. University of Wyoming. For the record, approximately one-third of Common App members don't require "supplements" or college-specific essays. Choosing where you'll spend the next years of your life is no simple matter, and we know there is a ton of thought that goes into it. But, no matter the long list of ...
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 ...
Common App Schools with No Extra Essays (Class of 2023 Edition) Institution Adelphi University Albright College Allegheny College Appalachian State University Arcadia University Arizona State University Bard College Bates College Baylor University Belmont University Beloit College Bentley University Berry College Birmingham-Southern College Bowling Green State University Bradley University ...
Maybe you want to apply to a few schools, but don't want to write any essays. Perhaps you've already written so many supplemental essays that the thought of writing one more makes you want to lock yourself in your room with five family size bags of kettle corn and never come out. Maybe you're just trying to take advantage of the Common Application's 20 school cap by sending out your ...
Hello! It's perfectly normal to consider colleges without essays, especially if you feel that writing isn't your strong suit. There are plenty of schools that don't require essays for admission, including many Cal State schools and some smaller liberal art colleges. However, keep in mind that even if a college doesn't require an essay for admission, you might still need to write one for ...
Absolutely, there are colleges that don't require essays for admission! While most competitive schools do have an essay component, some schools, often larger public universities and some smaller colleges, do not require an admission essay. They may place a greater emphasis on your grades, test scores (if not test-optional), and other factors in their admissions process.
University of Nebraska—Lincoln. University of New Hampshire. University of the Pacific. University of Pittsburgh. University of St. Thomas. Sources: 1, 2, 3. Supplemental essays are additional pieces of writing required by many highly-selective universities, and they can be just as revealing and important as your personal statement.
Explore 8 Admissions Essay-Free Colleges. Find the best fit for you and apply stress-free. Your ideal college journey begins here! Say goodbye to essays! Explore 8 Admissions Essay-Free Colleges. ... Many colleges that don't require essays to apply also offer potential college credit for real-world professional experience, so be sure to check ...
This should result in a list of guidelines for applying to that school. If you're looking more generally for schools that don't require essays, below is a list of a few US colleges and universities that don't require an admission essay to apply: University of Alabama. Alabama State University. University of Alaska.
Note that the starred (**) universities above have specific conditions for optional supplemental essays. The University of Delaware and University of South Carolina require either test scores or personal statements. If you don't send SAT/ACT scores, the essays are required.The University of Missouri (Mizzou) has a similar rule, except they also require a resume along with supplemental essays.
Don't Get Showy. Palmer Muntz, senior regional admissions counselor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks cautions applicants, "Don't be fancier than you are. You don't need to put on airs."
With a 3.0 GPA, you have a wide range of options to consider, from regional universities to some state schools. Keep in mind your chances will depend on factors like standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and essays. Here are a few suggestions to kickstart your research: 1. Regional Public Universities: Many regional public universities will accept students with a 3.0 GPA, like ...
A recent study ranked 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on median rents, job opportunities and social metrics. By Matt Yan Recent college graduates have plenty on their minds this summer: The ...