Which colleges don't require supplemental essays and are still considered really good?

You’re definitely not alone—most students find the supplement essays just as (or even more) stressful than the Common App personal statement. The good news is that there are a handful of strong colleges that don’t require extra writing, or keep supplements very minimal.

For competitive/reach schools, Tulane University stands out; its application is mostly dependent on the Common App essay, with the supplement now only being optional for most applicants (always double-check for your specific major or scholarship interest!). Wake Forest University has also recently reduced required writing, though sometimes short answers pop up, so read the prompts each cycle.

Boston University has significantly trimmed down their supplements compared to previous years, occasionally shifting to just a single short response or, in some years, none at all. Likewise, Northeastern University tends to only ask for the main essay, especially if you apply Early Action/Early Decision and don’t opt for special programs. The University of Pittsburgh rarely requires supplements for most applicants.

In the liberal arts world, schools like Grinnell College (sometimes just a quirky short answer rather than a full supplement) and Williams College (if you choose the Common App essay instead of their prompt) have tried to streamline the process.

For quality public universities, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and University of Alabama have minimal or no supplemental essays for regular admission. Indiana University Bloomington is another well-ranked state university with a straightforward application process.

If you want a quick way to spot these colleges, the Common App (or whatever portal you use) will show you supplemental requirements as soon as you add the school to your list in your dashboard. It’s always smart to check this every year since policies can change—one year a college might suddenly add a short answer, or make an optional supplement strongly encouraged for merit aid.

Example: Last year, my student was set on high-ranked urban schools but dreading supplements—she built a list with Northeastern, University of Pittsburgh, Tulane, and UMN Twin Cities as her main reach-to-match choices. She focused her energy on the personal statement, saving time and sanity. The outcome? She got into several of her choices without burning out on essays.

So, yes, you can target selective schools and still skip most of the extra writing! Just make sure to confirm each school’s requirements the year you apply.