Which colleges actually require supplemental essays?
I'm starting to look at the Common App and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the different requirements. I know a lot of schools ask for supplemental essays, but is there a way to know which colleges require them for sure?
For example, I’m interested in schools like Boston College, University of Michigan, and maybe some smaller liberal arts colleges. I’m worried about biting off more than I can chew with too many extra essays. Is there an updated list anywhere, or do you just have to check every college’s website? Also, is it possible for a college to add or remove supplemental essays from year to year?
Any tips for managing application timelines with all these essays would be appreciated. College apps seem way more complicated than I expected!
For example, I’m interested in schools like Boston College, University of Michigan, and maybe some smaller liberal arts colleges. I’m worried about biting off more than I can chew with too many extra essays. Is there an updated list anywhere, or do you just have to check every college’s website? Also, is it possible for a college to add or remove supplemental essays from year to year?
Any tips for managing application timelines with all these essays would be appreciated. College apps seem way more complicated than I expected!
2 weeks ago
•
25 views
Robert Carlson
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
Supplemental essays can definitely feel like a lot to keep up with, especially once you realize how much the requirements vary by school. There isn’t one constantly updated master list of which colleges require supplemental essays since the requirements change each year (and sometimes even within a cycle). It's super important to check directly on the Common App for each college you’re applying to, as the platform provides the most current information once applications open for the year (usually August 1st).
For your examples: Boston College and the University of Michigan both require at least one supplemental essay as of the 2025-2026 cycle. BC requires a 400-word essay (with options to choose from), while UMich has a couple (including a 300-word community essay and an 500-word Why Us essay). If you're applying as a Preferred Admission candidate to Michigan's Ross School of Business, there is an additional portfolio to submit. Most of the smaller liberal arts colleges require supplementals as well. In general, the more selective the college, the more likely it is to require supplemental essays.
Colleges often add, change, or remove supplemental prompts year to year based on what information they're looking to gather. For instance, some schools eliminated or reduced essay requirements during the height of COVID-19 but later reinstated them or changed the prompts. After the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, many schools tweaked their diversity/perspective prompts. And just this year, Duke changed all of its optional prompts and reduced its number of supplementals from three to two.
To stay organized:
- Use a spreadsheet or tracking app to log each college, the number and type of supplementals required, and their word counts. This way, you know exactly what’s expected.
- Check each college’s admissions website (and Common App) early in the cycle and again right before you’re ready to start writing, because requirements can shift.
- Rank your schools by application deadlines and essay workload. Plan to write your most common essay types first (like the "Why Us?" or community prompts), since you may be able to adapt them for multiple schools.
For example, many schools ask some version of "Why do you want to attend our college?" If you research well and write one strong core essay, you can tweak it for similar prompts at different schools, saving time without sounding generic.
Finally, pace yourself. I recommend starting with the Common App personal statement. If you're applying early action or early decision, finish those supplementals next. Then work through the remaining essays by application deadlines, repurposing your essays when possible. Sundial's college admissions advisors can help you stay organized, develop a timeline, and adjust when needed.
Applications do take real effort, especially when you’re aiming high and wide, but with planning, it’s totally doable! Good luck with your list, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help brainstorming your supplemental essays, making edits, or staying on track.
For your examples: Boston College and the University of Michigan both require at least one supplemental essay as of the 2025-2026 cycle. BC requires a 400-word essay (with options to choose from), while UMich has a couple (including a 300-word community essay and an 500-word Why Us essay). If you're applying as a Preferred Admission candidate to Michigan's Ross School of Business, there is an additional portfolio to submit. Most of the smaller liberal arts colleges require supplementals as well. In general, the more selective the college, the more likely it is to require supplemental essays.
Colleges often add, change, or remove supplemental prompts year to year based on what information they're looking to gather. For instance, some schools eliminated or reduced essay requirements during the height of COVID-19 but later reinstated them or changed the prompts. After the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, many schools tweaked their diversity/perspective prompts. And just this year, Duke changed all of its optional prompts and reduced its number of supplementals from three to two.
To stay organized:
- Use a spreadsheet or tracking app to log each college, the number and type of supplementals required, and their word counts. This way, you know exactly what’s expected.
- Check each college’s admissions website (and Common App) early in the cycle and again right before you’re ready to start writing, because requirements can shift.
- Rank your schools by application deadlines and essay workload. Plan to write your most common essay types first (like the "Why Us?" or community prompts), since you may be able to adapt them for multiple schools.
For example, many schools ask some version of "Why do you want to attend our college?" If you research well and write one strong core essay, you can tweak it for similar prompts at different schools, saving time without sounding generic.
Finally, pace yourself. I recommend starting with the Common App personal statement. If you're applying early action or early decision, finish those supplementals next. Then work through the remaining essays by application deadlines, repurposing your essays when possible. Sundial's college admissions advisors can help you stay organized, develop a timeline, and adjust when needed.
Applications do take real effort, especially when you’re aiming high and wide, but with planning, it’s totally doable! Good luck with your list, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help brainstorming your supplemental essays, making edits, or staying on track.
Robert Carlson
Washington, DC
Duke University BA; Johns Hopkins MA
Experience
7 years
Rating
4.9 (147 reviews)