Top Universities That Don't Require Supplemental Essays

• Find a list of top ranked universities that don’t require supplemental essays!

• Learn about top universities that offer optional essays!

• See this list of top schools that require supplements for specific programs only!

• Need some more help with your college essays?

• Read more college admissions tips on our blog!

Top Schools That Require ONLY the Common App/Coalition App Essay

Are you applying to lots of top schools? Tired of writing supplemental essays? Fear not - you don’t need to write new ones for every college! Below, you will find a list of top universities that don’t require supplemental essays. To apply, all you need is your Common App or Coalition App essay!

All of these universities are ranked within the top 1,000 in the world, the top 200 in the US, or both. The rankings are according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, QS World Rankings, Center for World University Rankings, and the US News.

Top Ranked Universities That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays

University	World Ranking	US Ranking	Acceptance Rate
Rutgers University	41	63	58%
Michigan State University	105	80	71%
Northeastern University	176	49	18%
University of Iowa	201-250	88	83%
University of South Florida	201-250	103	47%
SUNY at Buffalo	251-300	88	61%
The University of New Mexico	251-300	187	94%
SUNY at Stony Brook	301-350	88	44%
Temple University	341	103	60%
University of Colorado Denver	301-350	227	67%
Wayne State University	351-400	249	73%
Colorado School of Mines	401-500	88	53%
Saint Louis University	441	103	58%
Iowa State University	401-500	118	92%
Colorado State University	401-500	153	81%
Oklahoma State University	401-500	187	70%
Florida International University	401-500	187	58%
Georgia State University	401-500	206	76%
SUNY Binghamton University	501-600	88	41%
Louisiana State University	501-600	153	74%
University of Houston	501-600	176	65%
University of Montana	501-600	258	94%
Northern Arizona University	501-600	284	85%
University of South Carolina	571-580	118	68%
Creighton University	601-800	112	74%
University of Alabama	601-800	143	83%
San Diego State University	601-800	143	34%
University of Arkansas	601-800	160	77%
University of Idaho	601-800	170	78%
New Mexico State University	601-800	241	55%
University of Alabama in Huntsville	601-800	272	83%
University of Texas at Arlington	601-800	298-389	83%
University of the Pacific	801-1000	133	66%
University of New Hampshire	801-1000	143	84%
Florida Institute of Technology	801-1000	206	66%
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	801-1000	241	36%
University of South Dakota	801-1000	249	86%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	801-1000	258	66%
University of Memphis	801-1000	258	85%
Florida Atlantic University	801-1000	272	63%
Louisiana Tech University	801-1000	298-389	64%
University of Texas at El Paso	801-1000	298-389	100%
Gonzaga University	-	80	62%
Seton Hall University	-	133	73%
University of Dayton	1053	133	72%
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry	1520	118	70%

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Top Ranked Universities That Offer Optional Supplemental Essays

Wait, the list doesn’t end there! Many schools have supplemental essays that aren’t required. Below is a list of universities that offer optional supplemental essays. You should use this chance to better present yourself to colleges, as many essays are suggested or recommended. However, if your chances of getting in are already high, you might not need it.

University	World Ranking	US Ranking	Acceptance Rate
George Washington University	187	66	41%
Howard University	201-250	80	36%
University of Hawaii at Manoa	201-250	170	59%
College of William & Mary	251-300	39	38%
Florida State University	251-300	58	37%
George Mason University	251-300	143	86%
Nova Southeastern University	251-300	227	80%
University of Delaware**	301-350	97	71%
The University of Tennessee	301-350	112	79%
University of Texas at Dallas	301-350	143	79%
University of Vermont	376	118	67%
American University	401-500	76	31%
University of Denver	401-500	80	59%
Clark University	401-500	103	53%
University of South Carolina**	401-500	118	69%
University of Missouri (Mizzou)**	401-500	124	81%
University of Tulsa	401-500	143	35%
Missouri University of Science & Technology	401-500	176	79%
University of Texas at San Antonio	501-600	298-389	77%
University of Oklahoma	651-700	133	80%
University of Central Florida	601-800	160	44%
Ohio University	601-800	176	82%
Texas Tech University	601-800	217	67%
Montana State University	601-800	249	82%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	601-800	258	83%
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	601-800	298-389	77%
University of Toledo	601-800	298-389	96%
Fordham University	801-1000	66	46%
Marquette University	801-1000	88	83%
Rochester Institute of Technology	801-1000	112	71%
Kent State University	801-1000	217	85%
Old Dominion University	801-1000	258	89%
Drake University**	1137	124	67%
Depaul University	1332	124	68%
University of St. Thomas	-	133	80%

Note that the starred (**) universities above have specific conditions for optional supplemental essays. The University of Delaware and University of South Carolina require either test scores or personal statements. If you don’t send SAT/ACT scores, the essays are required. The University of Missouri (Mizzou) has a similar rule, except they also require a resume along with supplemental essays. Likewise, if you don’t report your test scores to Drake University, you need to complete the supplement or do an interview. You can choose.

Top Universities With Supplements For Some Programs Only

Finally, the table below shows top schools that require supplemental essays or personal statements for specific programs only. Most of the time, this is for honors programs. Note that some of the universities from previous tables have been repeated.

University	World Ranking	US Ranking	Acceptance Rate	Essay Required For:
The Ohio State University	108	53	53%	Honors
University of Pittsburgh	133	58	47%	Honors
Arizona State University	184	103	86%	Honors
University of Utah	201-250	97	62%	Honors & Business Scholars program
College of William & Mary	251-300	39	38%	Joint Degree Programme
University of Kansas	351-400	124	93%	Honors & Engineering SELF program
Drexel University	351-400	133	75%	College of Media Arts & Design Majors
Oregon State University	401-500	153	82%	Honors
Clemson University	601-800	160	77%	Honors
University of Rhode Island	601-800	170	75%	Nursing & Pharmacy
Kansas State University	601-800	170	95%	Honors
University of Nevada, Las Vegas	601-800	258	81%	Honors
Marquette University	801-1000	88	83%	Physical Therapy & Athletic Training
Miami University	801-1000	103	80%	Honors
Mississippi State University	801-1000	206	54%	Honors
Bowling Green State University	801-1000	258	72%	Honors
Portland State University	801-1000	284	96%	Honors

Final Thoughts

We hope this list was helpful to you! Remember that you need to make sure your Common App or Coalition App essays are strong in order to maximize your chances of getting in, especially without those supplemental essays. Feel free to check out our “Writing the College Essay” or “How to Create a College Resume” articles! We also offer college essay help, where we assist you with just the essay or coordinate the whole college process, especially when it comes to writing compelling supplements.

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