What are some good colleges that don't require an essay for admission?

A lot of students feel the same way about essays, and you're not alone in wanting to reduce stress during the application process. Many reputable colleges do not require essays—especially if you use the Common App or apply directly through their own websites.

For the Midwest, schools like the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Iowa State University typically do not require an essay for most applicants, unless you’re applying to specific programs or scholarships. On the East Coast, Rutgers University–New Brunswick and University of Pittsburgh are often essay-optional, at least for the main application. Some regional public universities and many state schools, like Penn State and University of Delaware, also skip the essay unless you want to be considered for honors or special programs.

A real-life example: one student I worked with applied to both Penn State and University of Pittsburgh with solid grades and test scores but didn’t want to write essays. He was admitted to both, and both schools have strong reputations and lots of opportunities.

One important thing to keep in mind is that skipping the essay requirement might close doors for certain honors colleges, scholarships, or more selective programs within larger universities. These special programs typically want more context about you as a person, and essays help provide that. Also, if you apply exclusively to schools that don’t require essays, your list may end up being less diverse, which can reduce your options, especially if some admit rates are unpredictable year-to-year.

There are also many smaller private colleges and less selective schools that don’t require essays, so you’ll have a pretty wide range. If you’re open to writing very short essays, there are even more options; for example, some schools and scholarships only require a 150-word response, which can feel less intimidating.

I’d suggest making a balanced list: include some schools that don’t require essays and a few that only ask short ones. That way, if you change your mind—or if you decide to tackle a short prompt—you won't be limiting your choices. And remember, it's always okay to ask for support with essays if you end up needing to write one; many students find their writing improves a lot with just a little guidance.