Which colleges still require the SAT essay for admissions?
I'm currently planning my standardized testing schedule and I'm a little stressed because I just found out the SAT essay isn't required by most schools anymore. However, I heard that a few colleges might still ask for it? I'm applying to a mix of public and private schools, mostly in the Northeast, and I want to double-check if I actually need to take the essay section.
If anyone has a list or knows of any colleges (especially competitive ones) that still require or recommend the SAT essay, that would help a lot. I want to avoid extra work if possible, but don't want to miss out on a requirement either. Does anyone know if it's common for schools to still want the essay for certain majors or scholarships?
I’d appreciate any advice based on recent experience or official sources. It's hard to find up-to-date info on this. Should I just skip the essay or is it safer to take it just in case?
If anyone has a list or knows of any colleges (especially competitive ones) that still require or recommend the SAT essay, that would help a lot. I want to avoid extra work if possible, but don't want to miss out on a requirement either. Does anyone know if it's common for schools to still want the essay for certain majors or scholarships?
I’d appreciate any advice based on recent experience or official sources. It's hard to find up-to-date info on this. Should I just skip the essay or is it safer to take it just in case?
4 months ago
•
57 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You're correct that the SAT Essay has been phased out by the College Board since June 2021, and nearly all U.S. colleges and universities, including competitive ones in the Northeast, no longer require or even recommend the SAT Essay for admissions.
As of 2024, no colleges in the U.S. require the SAT Essay for general undergraduate admissions. The few that still considered it—such as some University of California schools—have stopped since the SAT Essay is no longer offered. A small number of very specific programs, specialty scholarships for homeschooled students, or outlier international universities may have previously required it, but these are increasingly rare and typically well-documented on individual program pages.
For public and private colleges in your target region, you should be safe skipping the SAT Essay. Major competitive schools like Harvard, NYU, Columbia, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts system do not require it. Even for specialized majors or scholarships, it is not a common requirement anymore. Instead, schools evaluate your writing through your application essays and sometimes with supplemental prompts.
To be absolutely certain, once you have your college list finalized, check the 'Standardized Testing' or 'Freshman Requirements' sections of their admissions websites. Some applicants also reach out to admissions offices directly for confirmation. But for most students today, taking the SAT Essay is unnecessary and will not provide any admissions advantage.
If you want to free up time and effort for other parts of your application—like studying for subject tests, boosting your unweighted GPA, or writing a standout application essay—it's a safe and smart decision not to add the SAT Essay to your schedule.
For example, when one student I worked with last fall was applying to top private Northeastern schools and UMass Amherst, none required or even looked at the essay section. She ended up spending the time she would have used prepping for the essay on her Common App essay, which resulted in a stronger overall application.
In summary: the SAT Essay is not required or recommended by virtually any competitive college in your region as of 2024, regardless of major or scholarship. Skip it with confidence and focus your energy where it matters most.
As of 2024, no colleges in the U.S. require the SAT Essay for general undergraduate admissions. The few that still considered it—such as some University of California schools—have stopped since the SAT Essay is no longer offered. A small number of very specific programs, specialty scholarships for homeschooled students, or outlier international universities may have previously required it, but these are increasingly rare and typically well-documented on individual program pages.
For public and private colleges in your target region, you should be safe skipping the SAT Essay. Major competitive schools like Harvard, NYU, Columbia, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts system do not require it. Even for specialized majors or scholarships, it is not a common requirement anymore. Instead, schools evaluate your writing through your application essays and sometimes with supplemental prompts.
To be absolutely certain, once you have your college list finalized, check the 'Standardized Testing' or 'Freshman Requirements' sections of their admissions websites. Some applicants also reach out to admissions offices directly for confirmation. But for most students today, taking the SAT Essay is unnecessary and will not provide any admissions advantage.
If you want to free up time and effort for other parts of your application—like studying for subject tests, boosting your unweighted GPA, or writing a standout application essay—it's a safe and smart decision not to add the SAT Essay to your schedule.
For example, when one student I worked with last fall was applying to top private Northeastern schools and UMass Amherst, none required or even looked at the essay section. She ended up spending the time she would have used prepping for the essay on her Common App essay, which resulted in a stronger overall application.
In summary: the SAT Essay is not required or recommended by virtually any competitive college in your region as of 2024, regardless of major or scholarship. Skip it with confidence and focus your energy where it matters most.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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