Major schools scrap supplemental essay requirements: What you need to know

Several colleges, including Tulane, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Cornell University, have reduced or eliminated supplemental essays for this application cycle. Some schools have dropped short essays entirely, while others have only trimmed them. Admissions officials say the goal is to simplify the application process and improve accessibility for applicants.

While this news may bring relief to some students, fewer supplemental essay requirements don’t mean you can put less effort into your college application. In fact, as a result of this change, other components like your personal statement and test scores are now more important than ever. Rather than making applications “easier,” the shift gives students clearer direction on where to focus their energy: on the components that demonstrate their skills, showcase their personal stories, and make their applications stand out.

Which schools are removing supplemental essays from their applications?

As of July 2026, several major universities have removed their short essay requirements:

• Georgia Tech
• UNC-Chapel Hill
• University of Georgia
• University of Miami
• Tulane University
• University of Washington

Schools that are reducing the number of essays are:

• Cornell University (removed the university-wide essay, though specific colleges may have their own essays)
• Washington University in St. Louis (removed its optional writing supplement)
• Wake Forest University (reduced to a single writing prompt, chosen from four options)
• Yale University (no more “Why Yale?” essay)

Additionally, the University of Virginia and Texas Christian University dropped supplemental essays in the prior cycle. Other well-known U.S. universities that do not require supplemental essays include Northeastern University, the Ohio State University, Rutgers University, and Colgate University. Note that honors colleges, scholarships, and other programs may still ask students to submit extra writing.

How important are supplemental essays?

Supplemental essays are somewhat, but not majorly, important for admission to top-tier universities, like those in the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, the University of Michigan, and so on. These schools often receive tens of thousands of applicants, many of whom have high test scores, impressive activity lists, and compelling backgrounds. The focus of many supplemental essays is on why a student has chosen to apply to a specific institution. A strong, demonstrated interest and connection to a particular college can help make a student’s application seem less generic, especially if the student mentions specific programs, faculty, or other elements of campus life that excite them.

Still, even at high-ranking schools, supplemental essays are part of a larger puzzle. A strong supplemental essay is likely not enough to make up for a low GPA and below-average test scores, but it can be a great way to enhance an already competitive application. That said, many schools (including many public institutions) require only the standard personal statement, either through the Common Application or their own application systems. Here are the Common Application essay prompts for the 2026-27 cycle:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design

Core items like the personal statement, test scores, and recommendation letters are the main materials admissions officers use to consider a candidate, while well-written supplemental essays are more like “cherries on top.” This is why many schools are now limiting their reliance on these essays to focus on more reliable measures of college readiness.

Why this change matters

While relatively few schools have removed supplemental essays, this trend signals a broader shift toward streamlining the college admissions process and focusing on application materials that better reflect a candidate’s abilities. Some admissions officials have found that supplemental essays often provide little additional context and are a significant time commitment for both applicants and readers. With the increased use of generative AI, some schools (notably Tulane) have expressed concerns about students relying on generated text to fulfill requirements rather than responding thoughtfully.

Based on statements from admissions teams, it seems that supplemental essays were adding more time than they were worth. Georgia Tech’s admissions leadership stated that the supplemental essay was “no longer a differentiating factor in our decision-making process.” Senior members of the University of Georgia’s admissions committee felt that supplemental essays did not provide much to consider beyond what the Common App prompt already told them.

For a long time, supplemental essays have given students more opportunities to tell their stories and express their values and goals. This change highlights the importance of the Common App personal statement, the main substantial piece of writing that admissions officers read to assess candidates. Students applying to schools without supplemental essays now have one chance to make their genuine voice heard, so it’s key to take the personal essay seriously and not just view it as another box to check.

Here are some tips for writing compelling personal essays:

1. Choose a story that shows genuine growth and reflection, not necessarily one that seems the most “impressive.” A well-written essay about a personal passion is more meaningful than a generic essay about an award, mission trip, or other common topic.
2. Don’t restate your activities list. Pick a topic that offers something new, demonstrates your unique perspective, and emphasizes the key qualities you’ll bring to your undergraduate community.
3. Start early. You want plenty of time to create multiple drafts and hone your writing.
4. Reach out to a teacher or other trusted adult to read over your essay and provide notes. A second or third perspective can help you nail down your message and polish your work.

When approaching your essay, consider how your personal statement ties into your application as a whole. You don’t need a flawless narrative, but you should be able to tie your main interests and what drives you to one another.

If your interests are varied, pick the one you’re most passionate about and explain how it connects to the path you plan to pursue as an undergraduate. If you’ve been very involved with one or two disciplines or activities, use the essay to add information not summarized elsewhere in the application.

If you’re wondering whether you can use AI to write a college essay, remember that AI can be a helpful tool when used sparingly. Using chatbots to generate an essay whole cloth will lead to writing that’s neat but generic and inauthentic, and likely to be flagged by admissions teams. Use AI assistance for help with structuring ideas, grammar checks, and minor editing while keeping your voice intact.

As for what to do with those few hundred words, remember that college admissions teams are looking for reflection, self-awareness, and evidence of maturity. If you want to use the space to discuss a challenge that affected your performance in other areas (grades, test scores, etc.), be sure to emphasize what you learned and how you moved forward from those experiences. With a space-limited essay like the personal statement, every word counts: be concise, authentic, and confident in your story, and allow it to complement your other materials.

Are colleges bringing back test score requirements?

For the first time since the pandemic, more students are reporting SAT, ACT, and CLT scores on their Common App than opting for test-optional applications. This shift is significant for college applicants: as more schools require scores again and more students decide to submit them, preparing for the SAT/ACT/CLT has become more crucial than in recent years. The Common App’s report on 2025–2026 first-year application trends highlights changes in application numbers, score reporting, and demographic patterns over time.

With more time given back to students applying to schools with fewer or no supplemental essays, the rush to improve test scores and polish application materials becomes less stressful. Whether you’re entering your junior year and taking the SAT, ACT, or CLT for the first time, or if you’re a senior who’s retaking their exam for a better score, make a plan to study consistently and reach your goal.

Other notable trends in college applications

Changes in essay requirements and test scores aren’t the only ways the college admissions season is changing this year. Here are some more trends to watch:

• The number of students applying to college has been trending upward, making admissions cycles more competitive. Fewer time-consuming requirements (such as essays) may also lead to an increase in applications to certain colleges.
• In terms of student demographics, fewer international students have been applying to U.S. schools, likely due to recent policy decisions and immigration restrictions.
• At the same time, the rate of students from underrepresented groups applying to college has increased over the last few years. Even with recent mandates for race-blind admissions, application pools continue to grow more diverse.
• Early decision is increasingly important in selective admissions processes, as more students are choosing to apply ahead of regular decision deadlines.
• AI adoption in admissions is growing, with many schools now using AI-powered tech tools and workflows to scan applications, check essays for plagiarism, and perform other tasks.

Despite the many changes in college admissions, students should continue to emphasize the essential aspects of their applications and showcase qualities that admissions teams value, such as passion, maturity, and a community-oriented attitude. Make sure to have a balanced list of safety and reach schools when applying, and keep track of requirements across different institutions.

Concluding thoughts

The removal of supplemental essays at several prominent and selective U.S. universities signals a real shift in college admissions. Rather than thinking of the application cycle as “easier,” students should use this opportunity to focus on the elements admissions offices weigh most heavily. Supplemental essays, for schools that still require them, can add texture to an application, but they don’t drastically change the fuller story told by grades, test scores, recommendation letters, and the personal statement.

With more students submitting scores and some schools reinstating requirements, students entering the college application season in 2026 and beyond can do so with greater clarity and focus. Always remember that the vast majority of colleges assess students holistically rather than solely on metrics. Your college application is more than just a collection of numbers and activities: it’s a chance to share your unique and authentic self with admissions teams. Investing time in honing your personal statement, improving your test scores, and crafting a cohesive narrative is time well spent.