Which colleges only require one supplemental essay in their application?

It's totally understandable to feel overwhelmed—juggling multiple essay supplements can quickly add up! Luckily, there are quite a few well-regarded colleges that typically require just one supplemental essay, which can definitely help lighten your workload.

Here are some schools that have required just one main supplemental essay in recent years:

1. Johns Hopkins University: They usually ask for just one supplemental prompt, often focused on collaboration or the applicant's academic interests. For example, a recent prompt asked students to describe a time they teamed up with others to achieve a common goal—a classic for someone interested in medicine or science.

2. Boston University: BU frequently has only one required short essay, such as "Why BU?" or "What excites you about this college/your intended major?" This type of essay is straightforward and lets you highlight your pre-med or biology interests in relation to BU's programs.

3. Northeastern University: Traditionally, Northeastern features one short “Why Northeastern?” supplement focused on why you want to attend and how it fits your goals.

4. University of Southern California (USC): USC generally has multiple short answers, but only one longer supplement. Even though you’ll have to answer shorter prompts, you’ll only have one major essay to worry about there.

5. Tulane University: Tulane is known for a single short supplement, usually the classic "Why Tulane?" question. This is a good option if you're seeking less writing and are interested in strong undergraduate sciences.

6. University of Pittsburgh: Pitt is typically very flexible—with optional essays. To maximize your chances, it’s usually recommended to write the one essay they offer, but you’re often not required to do more.

Here’s an example of a "Why School?" prompt from Boston University: "What about being a student at BU most excites you?" For this, you’d want to mention specific bio/pre-med programs, research opportunities, or clubs that match your interests (like undergraduate research in the College of Arts & Sciences or shadowing at BU Medical Center).

Just a heads up: some schools do occasionally change their supplement requirements each year, so double-check the most recent info on each college's admissions website before applying. Aiming for schools with only one required supplement is a smart way to save time and energy!

Good luck managing the essays—you’ve got this!