Colleges That Don't Require Essays

What is a College Essay?

A college essay, often referred to as a “supplemental essay,” is an additional component of the college application process. While some schools require them, others do not. These essays provide students with an opportunity to express themselves on a personal level. They might cover a range of topics like “why they chose their major” or “What life experiences shaped you to who you are today?” They can also have topics like cultural diversity or your thirst for knowledge to see how dedicated you are. 

However, it is important to know that supplemental essays are different from the personal statements on the Common App! The Common App lets you submit a personal story to every college you apply to. So, you have to write a personal statement AND supplemental essays for these colleges. Usually, the personal statement is longer than supplemental essays–about 650 words. 

Supplemental essays enable students to demonstrate personal growth and creativity. Many students use these prompts to showcase unique aspects of their personality, helping them stand out in the application process.

Why Are Some Colleges Not Requiring Essays?

Many colleges are not using essays because they want to make it easier for students to apply. Applying to a million colleges can be stressful when each and every one of them requires you to write 10 essays with different prompts that are only unique to the school. It can be extremely overwhelming for both the student and the people who are reading it. Students do not have to spend so much time applying to their schools, and colleges don’t have to spend time reading them. 

Some schools can have up to six supplemental essays or none at all! Reading thousands of applications’ essays is extremely time-consuming, so this is a great way to save time for both parties. 

Huh? But, Aren’t Essays Important, Too? 

That is true that a GPA and test score do not truly measure a student’s capabilities. Students who had other things going on, while they were attending school that might impact their overall application. However, although some schools don’t require essays, they can require essays for certain programs instead. So if there is a big reason why their scores are low, they can appeal to the colleges as well. 

Supplementary essays give students the chance to show their self-reflection and growth as a person, so essays are there for schools to give equal consideration for every candidate. On the other hand, being essay optional allows students to focus more on their extracurriculars, test scores, letters of recommendation, and more!

List of Colleges That Do Not Require Essays:

Finding colleges that do not require essays can be challenging. Here are some that have eliminated this requirement:

• Middlebury College
• Colgate University
• Temple University
• Oberlin College
• Bates College
• Hampshire College
• DePaul University
• Kenyon College
• Miami University
• University of Kentucky
• University of Kansas
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
• University of Alabama
• University of Alaska
• Northern Arizona University
• Northeastern University
• Arkansas State University
• California State University
• Delaware State University
• Ohio University
• University of Central Florida
• Colby College
• Grinnell College
• Indiana University
• University of Houston
• Florida State University
• Wesleyan University
• Clemson University

As you can see, these colleges may not require essays, so that more qualified students can use their schools as safety schools. Some of these colleges are one of the largest universities in their state, so it is not an excuse to slack off on their application just because they don’t have an essay portion! 

Some schools like Northeastern University, despite not requiring essays, maintain a highly competitive admission process with an acceptance rate of just 6%. So, applicants will need to work even harder to get into these schools. 

Conclusion

Every school is unique and has its criteria for their schools. It is up to students to see if they are worth applying to. That’s why many colleges have to stay competitive and maintain their resources to attract students as well. Writing essays can be extremely time-consuming and stressful, so it is up to students to choose what they want to do. 

That is why Kollegio AI is a perfect way for students to figure out what colleges they truly want to go to! It is simple and user-friendly for everyone. They also have a tool that students can utilize to write their essays for colleges and even scholarships! Check it out now at: Kollegio AI.

By Vivian Duong