Many colleges require supplemental essays as part of their application process, including Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, as well as other selective institutions like Stanford, Duke, and Georgetown.
Complete answer
Supplemental essays are an additional component of the college application process that allows applicants to showcase their personality, character, and interests. While some colleges don’t require them, many institutions do, and students need to check the requirements of each college to which they plan to apply. Ivy League schools, including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, typically require multiple supplemental essays, as do other highly selective institutions such as Stanford, Duke, and Georgetown.
According to The Princeton Review, “Supplemental essays give admissions officers the chance to get to know students beyond the basic application information, such as grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. They can also be a deciding factor in admissions decisions.” Therefore, it’s crucial for students to put their best foot forward when crafting these essays.
Here are a few interesting facts about supplemental essays:
- Some colleges have specific prompts that require students to answer a particular question or write about a specific topic, while others allow students to choose their own topic.
- The word count for supplemental essays varies from college to college, but it’s usually between 250-650 words.
- Supplemental essays often require students to reflect on their values, experiences, and personal growth.
- Students should avoid repeating information they’ve already included in their application essays and instead use supplemental essays to provide new insights and perspectives.
- As former Yale admissions officer Joie Jager-Hyman explains, “The supplemental essay should not feel like an extension of the personal essay. Rather, it should feel like its own unique piece that adds to the applicant’s candidacy.”
- In a table format, here is a list of selective institutions and whether they require supplemental essays:
| Institution | Supplemental Essay Requirement |
|---|---|
| Harvard | Yes |
| Yale | Yes |
| Princeton | Yes |
| Stanford | Yes |
| Duke | Yes |
| Georgetown | Yes |
| MIT | Yes |
| Williams College | No |
| Amherst College | Yes |
| Swarthmore College | Yes |
| Pomona College | Yes |
As Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Supplemental essays provide an opportunity for students to showcase their unique qualities and distinguish themselves from other applicants, so it’s essential to approach them with thoughtfulness and creativity.
Watch related video
Becky Konowitz, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Santa Clara University, explains on the “Getting In Podcast” why supplemental essays are a requirement for colleges and universities. Konowitz discusses why colleges require additional essays and the purpose they serve for institutions and applicants. They help colleges celebrate their identity and values, provide context for the student’s writing abilities at the college level, and gauge an applicant’s critical thinking and writing skills. Konowitz stresses the importance of starting early and putting effort into crafting each essay to demonstrate an applicant’s unique perspective and passions. She also gives an example of one of Santa Clara University’s supplemental essay prompts that asks students to think about ethical and social justice issues and how they could address them. The essays allow the university to identify students who are passionate about making a positive impact on the world.
Other methods of responding to your inquiry
Vassar College Villanova University University of Virginia (UVA) Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College William and Mary University of Wisconsin – Madison Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yale University CEG’s Database of School-Specific Supplemental Essay Prompts
2022-23 Common App Supplements
- Georgetown University Short Essay Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.
Surely you will be interested
Do all colleges require supplemental essays?
In addition to the Personal Statement, many colleges require applicants to submit supplemental essays. These supplemental essays ask students to respond to a wide variety of topics: their most meaningful activity, their interest in a particular college or major, an important community they belong to, etc.
Which US colleges have no supplemental essays?
National Universities that do not require Supplemental Essays
- Binghamton University.
- Case Western Reserve University.
- Clark University.
- Clemson University.
- DePaul University.
- Drexel University.
- Florida State University.
- Gonzaga University.
How do you know if school requires supplemental essays?
The answer is: Go to a college’s specific page within the “My Colleges” tab. If the college lists a “Writing Supplement” section, there is additional writing. That said, some colleges embed their supplemental essay questions within the data entry of their supplements.
Can you get into Harvard without the supplemental essay?
In reply to that: In the 2022-23 there are three Harvard supplemental essays. This first essay is required. Technically, the other two essays are optional.
Should I write a supplemental essay for a college?
Also, note that you might have to write essays for these schools if you are interested in their honors programs, scholarships, or a specific program within the school. By adding some schools that don’t require a supplemental essay to your college list, students can pad their numbers, apply to more schools, and have more options.
Does Arizona State University require a supplemental essay?
Answer to this: 3. Arizona State University Arizona State University is a public research university located in Phoenix, Arizona. This popular and well-known school does not require a supplemental essay. Instead, applicants only have to submit a Common Application to apply.
Are there any liberal arts colleges and universities without essay supplements?
Response will be: Below is a list of 45 liberal arts colleges and universities without essay supplements. The list isn’t comprehensive, but it covers a spectrum of schools of varied selectivity. The list does not include any schools with optional essays, which are something we always encourage applicants to complete.
Does Wellesley College have a supplemental essay?
Response to this: Remember that all of our first-year students enter officially “undeclared” and work closely with their team of academic advisors to discover their academic passions. You can explore all of our majors and programs on our website. (200 words) Common App Essay required? Yes Does Wellesley College have Supplemental Essays? Yes
Which colleges do not require supplemental essays?
Answer will be: Regardless of your reasoning, we’ve put together a list of universities and colleges that do NOT require any supplemental essays in addition to the personal statement. Adelphi University. Alaska Pacific University. Albion College. Alma College. Baldwin Wallace University. Barry University. Bates College.
How many supplemental essays do you need for a college application?
The response is: Unfortunately, applying to this many schools is time-intensive, especially considering that many schools require supplemental essays as part of their application. Applying to 10 colleges could mean that you need to write 10-20 extra essays!
Why do students need supplemental essays?
This strategy boosts a student’s odds of getting into multiple schools, increases their options, and even offers leverage to negotiate for more financial aid. Unfortunately, applying to this many schools is time-intensive, especially considering that many schools require supplemental essays as part of their application.
Does Arizona State University require a supplemental essay?
3. Arizona State University Arizona State University is a public research university located in Phoenix, Arizona. This popular and well-known school does not require a supplemental essay. Instead, applicants only have to submit a Common Application to apply.