Colleges Without Supplemental Essays: What To Know

Colleges without supplemental essays are schools that do not ask for school-specific written responses beyond the main application. Examples of colleges that do not require additional essays for general admissions include Northeastern University, Case Western Reserve University, and California State University.

Key Takeaways

• Colleges without supplemental essays do not require school-specific writing beyond the main application, but most still review a personal statement and other standard materials.
• Policies can change by admission cycle, so requirements from one year may not apply the next, making it important to check each school’s current admissions page.
• Many academically strong public and private colleges require little or no supplemental writing while maintaining selective admissions standards and thorough application reviews.
• Some schools fall into a middle category, offering optional or minimal writing, which can reduce workload without fully eliminating essay components.
• Honors programs, scholarships, and certain majors often keep separate writing requirements, even when general admission does not include supplemental essays.

What “No Supplemental Essays” Really Means

In admissions, supplemental essays are short written responses tied to a specific school. They often ask about interest, goals, or fit. Schools that remove them typically rely on the Common Application personal statement. This essay provides a single writing sample used by all schools as part of the broader university application.

At colleges with no supplemental essays, writing still matters. Most still review common app essays as part of the file. Applicants must still meet all application requirements listed by the school. Fewer essays do not mean lower standards.

Colleges Without Supplemental Essays (Current Cycles)

Admission rules can change each year based on staff capacity and admissions volumes. Top colleges without supplemental essays for the 2025-2026 cycle include:

• Northeastern University currently only requires supplemental essays from applicants to the College of Media, Arts, and Design.
• Case Western Reserve University relies only on the Common App materials.
• California State University has kept its policy regarding no supplemental essays consistent across recent cycles.
• Binghamton University (SUNY) may not require extra essays for regular admissions, but some categories (scholarships, honors) can include additional writing.
• Colby College is listed on some schools-without-supplements lists, but applicants should verify current Common App requirements because many liberal arts colleges do include at least one supplemental essay on the 2025–26 cycle.

Colleges with minimal writing requirements

• Tufts University requires optional or reduced writing in certain cycles. Currently, two short-answer questions are required; the number varies by program.
• University of Chicago is known for creative prompts but, in some cycles, has offered flexibility through optional or single-response formats.
• Wake Forest University has also used optional supplements, giving students a choice to write more or rely on the main application.

Colleges Without Essays by State

Some searches focus on location. In California and Texas, it is common for many public campuses to use a single form with no additional writing. These patterns help students who want in-state options.

Private colleges in these states may follow different rules. Some colleges that don’t require supplemental essays are not public institutions. Each school should be reviewed individually.

Colleges Without Supplemental Essays and No Application Fee

A smaller group of schools also removes the application fee. Some waive it for all undergraduate applicants. Examples include:

• Grinnell College (IA)
• Miles College (AL)
• Auburn University at Montgomery (AL)
• University of Alaska Anchorage (AK)

Fee rules can change quickly. They are often listed with deadlines and test rules. Always confirm details before applying.

Common Exceptions to No-Essay Policies

Honors programs or scholarships may still require essays. Special majors may ask for extra writing as well. These are reviewed apart from general admission.

Schools such as the College of the Holy Cross and Sewanee: The University of the South have used simple applications but kept writing for select tracks. Other examples include Jersey Institute of Technology and St Mary’s University in some cycles.

Are Colleges Without Essays Easier to Apply To?

Less writing saves time, but it does not make the admission process easier. There are certain things that admissions officers look for in college essays, such as the Common App, in addition to grades, classes, and activities. Some schools place greater weight on numbers when essays are limited. This can affect the acceptance rate in different ways. 

The full college application process still takes planning. Fewer essays change the workload, not competition. Applicants should plan with care.

How to Confirm Essay Requirements

The best source is the school’s own admissions site. Look for current lists of materials and deadlines. Rules may differ by round, such as Early Action or Regular Decision. Older guides may be outdated.

Near the end of the research process, some families seek help organizing details with a college essay consultant or similar guidance. CollegeCommit can serve as one reference point, and the service works 100% online. Final checks should always come from the college itself.