Supplemental essays · 2026–27 application
Supplemental essay prompts.
Which colleges ask for extra essays this year, what they ask word for word, and which ones don’t ask for any.
1,135 colleges, checked against the Common App and the colleges’ own sites on October 18, 2026
Colleges with their own questions
363 colleges ask essay or short-answer questions of their own this year. Open one for the prompts, word limits and how to approach each one.
- Aberystwyth University1 question · Wales
- Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences1 question · NY
- Alvernia University2 questions · PA
- American College of the Mediterranean (ACM)1 question
- American University1 question · DC
- American University in Bulgaria3 questions
- Amherst College3 questions · MA
- Antioch College4 questions · OH
- Appalachian State University1 question · NC
- Arts University Bournemouth, UK1 question
- Asbury University1 question · KY
- Assumption University1 question · MA
- Austin College2 questions · TX
- Babson College2 questions · MA
- Bard College Berlin2 questions · Germany
- Barnard College2 questions · NY
- Bay Path University2 questions · MA
- Baylor University1 question · TX
- Belmont University1 question · TN
- Benedictine College2 questions · KS
- Bennington College2 questions · VT
- Bethel University (MN)2 questions
- Biola University3 questions · CA
- Bishop's University1 question · Quebec
- Bluffton University1 question · OH
- Boston College5 questions · MA
- Boston University1 question · MA
- Bowdoin College2 questions · ME
- Brown University6 questions · RI
- Bryn Athyn College2 questions
- Bryn Mawr College1 question · PA
- Buena Vista University1 question · IA
- Bushnell University1 question · OR
- Butler University2 questions · IN
- Cairn University1 question
- Caldwell University1 question · NJ
- California Institute of Technology8 questions · CA
- Canisius University2 questions · NY
- Capitol Technology University1 question · MD
- Carlow University1 question · PA
- Carnegie Mellon University3 questions · PA
- Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar7 questions · Qatar
- Catawba College3 questions · NC
- Cedarville University1 question · OH
- Centenary University3 questions · NJ
- Central Connecticut State University1 question · CT
- Chaminade University of Honolulu1 question · HI
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science1 question · CA
- Chatham University3 questions · PA
- Christian Brothers University2 questions · TN
- Claremont McKenna College2 questions · CA
- Clark University1 question · MA
- Cleveland Institute of Art2 questions · OH
- Coastal Carolina University2 questions · SC
- Coe College1 question · IA
- Colby-Sawyer College1 question · NH
- College of Charleston1 question · SC
- College of the Atlantic1 question · ME
- College of Wooster1 question
- Colorado College1 question · CO
- Colorado School of Mines2 questions · CO
- Colorado State University1 question
- Columbia College Chicago1 question · IL
- Columbia University6 questions · NY
- Columbus College of Art & Design4 questions · OH
- Concordia University Chicago1 question · IL
- Concordia University Texas1 question · TX
- Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art3 questions
- Corban University1 question · OR
- Cornell University10 questions · NY
- Cornerstone University1 question · MI
- Covenant College1 question · GA
- Creighton University1 question · NE
- Cumberland University1 question · TN
- Dartmouth College9 questions · NH
- Davidson College2 questions · NC
- Defiance College1 question · OH
- Delaware State University1 question · DE
- DePauw University1 question · IN
- Dharma Realm Buddhist University1 question
- Dickinson College3 questions · PA
- Duke Kunshan University2 questions · China
- Duke University5 questions · NC
- Earlham College1 question · IN
- East Carolina University1 question · NC
- Edinburgh Napier University1 question · Scotland
- Elim Bible College2 questions
- Elon University3 questions · NC
- Emerson College2 questions · MA
- Emory University5 questions · GA
- ESCP Business School1 question · Europe
- Evangel University1 question · MO
- Fei Tian College - Northern Campus1 question
- Felician University1 question · NJ
- Fisk University1 question · TN
- Flagler College2 questions · FL
- Fordham University3 questions · NY
- Framingham State University2 questions · MA
- Franklin Switzerland1 question · Switzerland
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering2 questions · MA
- Geneva College1 question
- George Fox University1 question · OR
- George Mason University1 question · VA
- Georgetown University10 questions · DC
- Georgetown University in Qatar2 questions · Qatar
- Georgia College & State University1 question · GA
- Gordon College1 question · MA
- Goucher College1 question · MD
- Greenville University2 questions · IL
- Grinnell College1 question · IA
- Guilford College1 question · NC
- Hamline University (MN)1 question
- Harvard University5 questions · MA
- Harvey Mudd College2 questions · CA
- Haverford College2 questions · PA
- Heidelberg University2 questions · OH
- Hendrix College1 question · AR
- Hillsdale College3 questions · MI
- Hofstra University1 question · NY
- Houghton University1 question · NY
- Houston Christian University3 questions · TX
- Howard University2 questions · DC
- Illinois Institute of Technology4 questions · IL
- Illinois Wesleyan University1 question · IL
- Indiana University Bloomington1 question · IN
- Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion)3 questions · IN
- Iona University1 question · NY
- Ithaca College1 question · NY
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation3 questions
- John Cabot University in Rome5 questions · Italy
- Johns Hopkins University1 question · MD
- Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte1 question · NC
- Johnson & Wales University-Providence1 question · RI
- Kansas State University1 question · KS
- Keiser University Flagship Campus - West Palm Beach Florida2 questions
- Kentucky College of Art + Design2 questions
- Kutztown University of Pennsylvania2 questions · PA
- Lafayette College1 question · PA
- Lasell University1 question · MA
- Lawrence Technological University1 question · MI
- Leeds Beckett University1 question · England
- Lehigh University2 questions · PA
- Lipscomb University3 questions · TN
- List College The Jewish Theological Seminary3 questions
- Loyola Marymount University1 question · CA
- Loyola University Maryland1 question · MD
- Lynn University2 questions · FL
- Lyon College2 questions · AR
- Macalester College2 questions · MN
- Maine Maritime Academy1 question · ME
- Manchester University4 questions · IN
- Marist University1 question · NY
- Mary Baldwin University2 questions
- Maryland Institute College of Art2 questions · MD
- Marymount University1 question · VA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology8 questions · MA
- McDaniel College1 question · MD
- Messiah University1 question · PA
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)1 question
- Michigan Technological University1 question · MI
- Minerva University1 question · CA
- Mitchell College3 questions · CT
- Monmouth College (IL)1 question
- Moravian University3 questions · PA
- Morningside University1 question · IA
- Mount Holyoke College3 questions · MA
- Mount St. Joseph University3 questions · OH
- Mount St. Mary's University1 question · MD
- Muskingum University1 question · OH
- Nebraska Wesleyan University3 questions · NE
- New York University1 question · NY
- Nichols College1 question · MA
- North Carolina State University1 question · NC
- North Central University1 question · MN
- North Park University1 question · IL
- Northwest University1 question · WA
- Northwestern University6 questions · IL
- Northwestern University in Qatar1 question · Qatar
- Northwood University1 question · MI
- Norwich University2 questions · VT
- Occidental College1 question · CA
- Oglethorpe University1 question · GA
- Ohio University1 question
- Ohio Wesleyan University2 questions · OH
- Pacific Northwest College of Art1 question · OR
- Paul Smith's College3 questions
- Pepperdine University1 question · CA
- Pitzer College2 questions · CA
- Point Loma Nazarene University1 question · CA
- Point Park University1 question · PA
- Pomona College4 questions · CA
- Presbyterian College2 questions · SC
- Prescott College1 question · AZ
- Princeton University7 questions · NJ
- Principia College2 questions · IL
- Providence College2 questions · RI
- Purdue University7 questions · IN
- Queens University of Charlotte2 questions · NC
- Quincy University1 question · IL
- Randolph-Macon College1 question · VA
- Reed College1 question · OR
- Regis College1 question · MA
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute2 questions · NY
- Rice University6 questions · TX
- Ripon College1 question · WI
- Rivier University3 questions · NH
- Rollins College1 question · FL
- Russell Sage College1 question · NY
- Saint Anselm College1 question · NH
- Saint Elizabeth University1 question · NJ
- Saint Leo University1 question · FL
- Saint Louis University- Madrid1 question · Spain
- Saint Martin's University1 question · WA
- Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana2 questions
- Saint Michael's College1 question · VT
- Saint Vincent College1 question · PA
- Salem College1 question · NC
- Salve Regina University2 questions · RI
- Santa Clara University1 question · CA
- Sarah Lawrence College4 questions · NY
- Sattler College2 questions
- Seattle Pacific University2 questions · WA
- Seattle University1 question · WA
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College3 questions · China
- Siena University1 question
- Simon's Rock at Bard College1 question
- Simpson College1 question · IA
- SKEMA Business School - US Campus2 questions
- Smith College1 question · MA
- Soka University of America1 question · CA
- South Carolina State University1 question · SC
- Southeastern University1 question · FL
- Southern California Institute of Architecture1 question · CA
- Southern Methodist University2 questions · TX
- Spelman College1 question · GA
- Spring Hill College2 questions · AL
- Springfield College1 question · MA
- St. Edward's University2 questions
- St. John's College (MD)2 questions
- St. John's College (NM)2 questions
- St. Joseph's University, New York - Brooklyn Campus3 questions
- St. Joseph’s University, New York - Long Island Campus3 questions
- St. Mary's College of Maryland2 questions · MD
- St. Mary's University2 questions · TX
- St. Olaf College3 questions · MN
- St. Thomas University, Canada3 questions · New Brunswick
- Stanford University8 questions · CA
- Stevenson University1 question · MD
- Suffolk University1 question · MA
- Swarthmore College2 questions · PA
- Syracuse University1 question · NY
- Taylor University1 question · IN
- Temple University, Japan Campus1 question · Japan
- Texas A&M University7 questions · TX
- Texas A&M University at Galveston7 questions
- Texas Lutheran University2 questions · TX
- Texas Tech University4 questions · TX
- The American College of Greece4 questions · Greece
- The American University in Cairo1 question · Egypt
- The American University of Paris1 question · France
- The American University of Rome2 questions · Italy
- The College of Idaho1 question · ID
- The College of New Jersey1 question · NJ
- The Culinary Institute of America1 question
- The Evergreen State College3 questions · WA
- The Master's University1 question
- The New School2 questions · NY
- The University of Arizona1 question · AZ
- The University of Hong Kong1 question · Hong Kong
- The University of Oklahoma2 questions
- The University of Olivet1 question · MI
- The University of Texas at Austin3 questions · TX
- The University of Texas at San Antonio1 question · TX
- The University of Tulsa3 questions
- Transylvania University1 question · KY
- Trevecca Nazarene University2 questions · TN
- Trine University3 questions · IN
- Trinity College1 question · CT
- Trinity College of Jacksonville1 question
- Truman State University1 question · MO
- Tufts University5 questions · MA
- Tusculum University1 question · TN
- University of Central Florida3 questions · FL
- University of Chicago7 questions · IL
- University of Cincinnati1 question
- University of Colorado Boulder1 question · CO
- University of Dallas3 questions · TX
- University of Delaware1 question · DE
- University of Dubuque3 questions · IA
- University of Dundee1 question · Scotland
- University of East London1 question · England
- University of Evansville6 questions · IN
- University of Illinois Chicago1 question · IL
- University of Illinois Springfield1 question · IL
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign5 questions · IL
- University of Massachusetts Amherst1 question · MA
- University of Massachusetts Lowell1 question · MA
- University of Michigan2 questions · MI
- University of Minnesota Crookston1 question · MN
- University of Minnesota Duluth2 questions · MN
- University of Minnesota Morris2 questions · MN
- University of Minnesota Rochester1 question · MN
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities1 question · MN
- University of Mount Saint Vincent1 question · NY
- University of North Carolina Asheville1 question · NC
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte1 question · NC
- University of North Carolina Greensboro3 questions
- University of Northern Colorado1 question · CO
- University of Northwestern-St. Paul1 question · MN
- University of Notre Dame5 questions · IN
- University of Oregon2 questions · OR
- University of Pennsylvania6 questions · PA
- University of Portland1 question · OR
- University of Redlands1 question · CA
- University of Richmond3 questions · VA
- University of Rochester1 question · NY
- University of San Diego4 questions · CA
- University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma1 question · OK
- University of Southern California1 question · CA
- University of St Andrews1 question · Scotland
- University of St. Thomas - Houston1 question
- University of Stirling1 question · Scotland
- University of Strathclyde1 question · Scotland
- University of the Highlands and Islands1 question · Scotland
- University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol2 questions · England
- University of Washington Bothell1 question
- University of Washington Tacoma2 questions
- University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire1 question · WI
- University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee1 question · WI
- University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point2 questions · WI
- University of Wisconsin- Whitewater1 question · WI
- University of Wisconsin–Madison1 question · WI
- University of Worcester (UK)1 question · England
- University of Wyoming1 question · WY
- Utica University3 questions · NY
- Vanderbilt University1 question · TN
- Vanguard University of Southern California1 question · CA
- Vassar College1 question · NY
- Villanova University5 questions · PA
- Virginia Commonwealth University1 question · VA
- Virginia Military Institute1 question · VA
- Virginia Tech4 questions · VA
- Wagner College3 questions · NY
- Wake Forest University5 questions · NC
- Warren Wilson College1 question · NC
- Washington University in St. Louis1 question · MO
- Webb Institute2 questions · NY
- Wellesley College1 question · MA
- West Virginia Wesleyan College1 question · WV
- Western Colorado University1 question · CO
- Westfield State University1 question · MA
- Westlake University1 question · China
- Westmont College1 question · CA
- Wheaton College, Massachusetts1 question · MA
- Wheeling University1 question · WV
- Whittier College1 question · CA
- Whitworth University2 questions · WA
- William Jewell College4 questions · MO
- William Peace University2 questions · NC
- Wilmington College1 question · OH
- Wisconsin Lutheran College1 question · WI
- Wofford College1 question · SC
- Yale University7 questions · CT
Colleges that use only the Common App essay
231 colleges ask no questions of their own this year. You write one Common App personal essay and that’s it. Here are the seven prompts, explained.
- Adelphi UniversityNY
- Agnes Scott CollegeGA
- Albertus Magnus CollegeCT
- Alfred UniversityNY
- Allegheny CollegePA
- AMDA College of the Performing Arts
- AMDA The American Musical and Dramatic Academy
- Anglo-American University in Prague
- Ashland UniversityOH
- Augustana College (Illinois)
- Bard CollegeNY
- Bates CollegeME
- Beloit CollegeWI
- Bentley UniversityMA
- Berry CollegeGA
- Bradley UniversityIL
- Brandeis UniversityMA
- Bryant UniversityRI
- Bucknell UniversityPA
- California Baptist UniversityCA
- California Lutheran UniversityCA
- Calvin UniversityMI
- Carleton CollegeMN
- Case Western Reserve UniversityOH
- Cedar Crest CollegePA
- Centenary College of LouisianaLA
- Centre CollegeKY
- Champlain CollegeVT
- Chapman UniversityCA
- Christopher Newport UniversityVA
- Clark Atlanta UniversityGA
- Clarkson UniversityNY
- Colby CollegeME
- Colgate UniversityNY
- College of the Holy CrossMA
- Connecticut CollegeCT
- Curry CollegeMA
- Daemen UniversityNY
- Denison UniversityOH
- DeSales UniversityPA
- Dominican University (IL)
- Dominican University of CaliforniaCA
- Drew UniversityNJ
- Drexel UniversityPA
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityCT
- Eckerd CollegeFL
- Elmhurst UniversityIL
- Elmira CollegeNY
- Emmanuel College (MA)
- Fairfield UniversityCT
- Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFL
- Florida Southern CollegeFL
- Florida State UniversityFL
- Franklin & Marshall CollegePA
- Furman UniversitySC
- Georgia Institute of TechnologyGA
- Georgia State UniversityGA
- Georgian Court UniversityNJ
- Gettysburg CollegePA
- Gonzaga UniversityWA
- Gwynedd Mercy UniversityPA
- Hamilton CollegeNY
- Hampton UniversityVA
- Hellenic College
- High Point UniversityNC
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Hope CollegeMI
- Husson UniversityME
- IE University - Madrid Campus and Segovia Campus
- John Carroll UniversityOH
- Juniata CollegePA
- Kalamazoo CollegeMI
- Keene State CollegeNH
- Kenyon CollegeOH
- Kettering UniversityMI
- Knox CollegeIL
- La Salle UniversityPA
- Lake Forest CollegeIL
- Lawrence UniversityWI
- Le Moyne CollegeNY
- Lesley UniversityMA
- Lewis & Clark CollegeOR
- Lycoming CollegePA
- Maine College of Art & DesignME
- Manhattan UniversityNY
- Marquette UniversityWI
- Massachusetts College of Art and DesignMA
- Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsMA
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Massachusetts Maritime AcademyMA
- Mercer UniversityGA
- Miami University (Ohio)
- Michigan State UniversityMI
- Middlebury CollegeVT
- Molloy UniversityNY
- Monmouth UniversityNJ
- Montserrat College of Art
- Morehouse CollegeGA
- Morris Brown College
- Mount Marty UniversitySD
- Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles
- Muhlenberg CollegePA
- Nazareth UniversityNY
- New College of FloridaFL
- New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNJ
- New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
- Niagara UniversityNY
- Northeastern UniversityMA
- Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences
- Oberlin Conservatory of Music
- Oklahoma City UniversityOK
- Oregon State UniversityOR
- Otis College of Art and DesignCA
- Otterbein UniversityOH
- Pace UniversityNY
- Pacific Lutheran UniversityWA
- Pacific University Oregon
- Pennsylvania College of Art & DesignPA
- Plymouth State UniversityNH
- Quinnipiac UniversityCT
- Ramapo College of New JerseyNJ
- Regis UniversityCO
- Rhode Island School of DesignRI
- Rhodes CollegeTN
- Richmond The American International University in London
- Rider UniversityNJ
- Ringling College of Art and DesignFL
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityNY
- Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY
- Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyIN
- Rowan UniversityNJ
- Rutgers UniversityNJ
- Sacred Heart UniversityCT
- Saint Joseph's University
- Saint Louis UniversityMO
- Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaCA
- Saint Peter's UniversityNJ
- Salisbury UniversityMD
- Samford UniversityAL
- School of the Art Institute of ChicagoIL
- School of Visual Arts
- Scripps CollegeCA
- Seton Hall UniversityNJ
- Sewanee: The University of the South
- Simmons UniversityMA
- Skidmore CollegeNY
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityCT
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH
- Southwestern UniversityTX
- St. Bonaventure UniversityNY
- St. Catherine UniversityMN
- St. John Fisher UniversityNY
- St. Lawrence UniversityNY
- St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeNY
- Stevens Institute of TechnologyNJ
- Stonehill CollegeMA
- SUNY Binghamton UniversityNY
- SUNY Buffalo State
- SUNY College at GeneseoNY
- SUNY College at Old Westbury
- SUNY Cortland
- SUNY Maritime CollegeNY
- SUNY New Paltz
- SUNY OneontaNY
- SUNY Oswego
- SUNY Plattsburgh
- SUNY Polytechnic InstituteNY
- SUNY Potsdam
- SUNY Purchase
- SUNY Stony Brook UniversityNY
- SUNY University at BuffaloNY
- SUNY, University at Albany
- Texas Christian UniversityTX
- The American University of Florence
- The Catholic University of AmericaDC
- The George Washington University
- The Ohio State UniversityOH
- The University of Scranton
- The University of Tennessee KnoxvilleTN
- Thomas Jefferson UniversityPA
- Towson UniversityMD
- Trinity UniversityTX
- Tulane UniversityLA
- Tuskegee UniversityAL
- UMBC: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Union CollegeNY
- University of BridgeportCT
- University of ConnecticutCT
- University of DaytonOH
- University of DenverCO
- University of FloridaFL
- University of GeorgiaGA
- University of HoustonTX
- University of KentuckyKY
- University of La VerneCA
- University of Maine at FarmingtonME
- University of MarylandMD
- University of Massachusetts BostonMA
- University of MiamiFL
- University of Missouri
- University of Mount UnionOH
- University of New EnglandME
- University of New Hampshire
- University of New HavenCT
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonNC
- University of PittsburghPA
- University of Puget SoundWA
- University of Rhode IslandRI
- University of Roehampton, London
- University of Saint JosephCT
- University of San FranciscoCA
- University of South Carolina ColumbiaSC
- University of Tampa
- University of the PacificCA
- University of VermontVT
- University of WashingtonWA
- Ursinus CollegePA
- Washington and Lee UniversityVA
- Washington CollegeMD
- Wentworth Institute of TechnologyMA
- Wesleyan UniversityCT
- Western Connecticut State UniversityCT
- Western Washington UniversityWA
- Whitman CollegeWA
- Widener UniversityPA
- Willamette UniversityOR
- William & MaryVA
- Williams CollegeMA
- Worcester Polytechnic InstituteMA
- Xavier UniversityOH
The University of California
All 9 UC campuses use the same personal insight questions: answer four of the eight, up to 350 words each. You write them once in the UC application. See all eight in the essay editor.
- University of California, BerkeleyCA
- University of California, DavisCA
- University of California, IrvineCA
- University of California, Los AngelesCA
- University of California, MercedCA
- University of California, RiversideCA
- University of California, San DiegoCA
- University of California, Santa BarbaraCA
- University of California, Santa CruzCA
Colleges that don’t require an essay
532 colleges require neither the Common App essay nor a writing supplement this year, according to the Common App’s own requirements grid. Some have optional or scholarship essays, so check the college’s site.
- Abilene Christian UniversityTX
- Adams State University
- Air Force Academy
- Alabama State UniversityAL
- Albion CollegeMI
- Albizu University-Miami
- Albright CollegePA
- Allen UniversitySC
- Alma CollegeMI
- Alverno CollegeWI
- American International CollegeMA
- American University of Beirut (AUB)
- Anderson University (IN)
- Anderson University (SC)
- Andrews UniversityMI
- Angelo State UniversityTX
- Aquinas CollegeMI
- Arcadia UniversityPA
- Arizona Christian UniversityAZ
- Arizona State UniversityAZ
- Art Academy of CincinnatiOH
- Auburn UniversityAL
- Augsburg UniversityMN
- Augusta UniversityGA
- Augustana University (South Dakota)
- Aurora UniversityIL
- Austin Peay State UniversityTN
- Ave Maria UniversityFL
- Baker CollegeMI
- Baker UniversityKS
- Baldwin Wallace UniversityOH
- Ball State UniversityIN
- Barry UniversityFL
- Barton CollegeNC
- Batten University
- Bay Atlantic University
- Beacon CollegeFL
- Belhaven UniversityMS
- Bellarmine UniversityKY
- Belmont Abbey CollegeNC
- Benedictine UniversityIL
- Bethany Lutheran CollegeMN
- Bethel University (Indiana)
- Bethel University-TN
- Black Hawk College
- Blackburn CollegeIL
- Bowling Green State University
- Brenau UniversityGA
- Brescia UniversityKY
- Brevard CollegeNC
- Briar Cliff University
- Bridgewater CollegeVA
- Bridgewater State UniversityMA
- Calumet College of St. Joseph
- Campbell UniversityNC
- Capital UniversityOH
- Carl Sandburg College
- Carroll College (Montana)
- Carroll UniversityWI
- Carson-Newman UniversityTN
- Carthage CollegeWI
- Central Michigan UniversityMI
- Central Washington UniversityWA
- Charleston Southern UniversitySC
- Chestnut Hill CollegePA
- Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
- Chicago State UniversityIL
- Chowan UniversityNC
- Claflin UniversitySC
- Clayton State UniversityGA
- Clemson UniversitySC
- Cleveland State UniversityOH
- Coker UniversitySC
- College for Creative StudiesMI
- College of DuPage
- College of Saint BenedictMN
- College of Saint MaryNE
- Colorado State University PuebloCO
- Columbia College (SC)
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Concord UniversityWV
- Concordia College at MoorheadMN
- Concordia University IrvineCA
- Concordia University WisconsinWI
- Concordia University, St. Paul
- Converse UniversitySC
- Coppin State UniversityMD
- Cornell CollegeIA
- Cottey CollegeMO
- Culver-Stockton CollegeMO
- CUNEF Universidad
- D'Youville UniversityNY
- Dallas Baptist UniversityTX
- Davenport UniversityMI
- Dean CollegeMA
- Delaware Valley UniversityPA
- DePaul UniversityIL
- Dillard UniversityLA
- Dominican University New YorkNY
- Drake UniversityIA
- Drury UniversityMO
- Dublin City University
- Duquesne UniversityPA
- East Central UniversityOK
- East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaPA
- East Texas A&M UniversityTX
- East Texas Baptist UniversityTX
- Eastern Illinois UniversityIL
- Eastern Mennonite UniversityVA
- Eastern Michigan UniversityMI
- Eastern Oregon UniversityOR
- Eastern Washington UniversityWA
- Edgewood University
- Elizabeth City State UniversityNC
- Elizabethtown CollegePA
- Elms College
- Emory & Henry UniversityVA
- Esade Barcelona
- Eureka CollegeIL
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Faulkner UniversityAL
- Ferris State UniversityMI
- Ferrum CollegeVA
- Fisher CollegeMA
- Fitchburg State UniversityMA
- Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU)FL
- Florida Atlantic UniversityFL
- Florida Institute of TechnologyFL
- Florida International UniversityFL
- Florida Polytechnic UniversityFL
- Fort Lewis CollegeCO
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU)
- Franklin CollegeIN
- Franklin Pierce UniversityNH
- Fresno Pacific UniversityCA
- Frostburg State UniversityMD
- Gannon UniversityPA
- Gardner-Webb UniversityNC
- Georgetown CollegeKY
- Georgia Southern UniversityGA
- Goldey-Beacom CollegeDE
- Goshen CollegeIN
- Governors State University
- Grace College
- Graceland University
- Grand Canyon University
- Grand Valley State UniversityMI
- Grand View UniversityIA
- Greensboro CollegeNC
- Gustavus Adolphus CollegeMN
- Hampden-Sydney CollegeVA
- Hanover CollegeIN
- Harcum College
- Hardin-Simmons UniversityTX
- Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyPA
- Hartwick CollegeNY
- Hastings CollegeNE
- Hawaii Pacific UniversityHI
- Heartland Community College
- Hilbert CollegeNY
- Hiram CollegeOH
- Hollins UniversityVA
- Holy Cross CollegeIN
- Hood CollegeMD
- Hult International Business School – U.S, U.K, Dubai
- Huntington UniversityIN
- Illinois CollegeIL
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
- Illinois State UniversityIL
- Immaculata UniversityPA
- Indiana State UniversityIN
- Indiana Tech
- Indiana University IndianapolisIN
- Indiana University NorthwestIN
- Indiana University South BendIN
- Indiana University SoutheastIN
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico
- Iowa State UniversityIA
- Jackson State UniversityMS
- Jacksonville UniversityFL
- James Madison UniversityVA
- Jarvis Christian University
- Johnson C Smith UniversityNC
- Kankakee Community College
- Kansas City Art InstituteMO
- Kean UniversityNJ
- Kennesaw State UniversityGA
- Kent State University
- Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeKY
- Keuka CollegeNY
- Keystone CollegePA
- Kishwaukee College
- La Roche UniversityPA
- La Sierra UniversityCA
- Laguna College of Art + Design
- Lake Erie CollegeOH
- Lake Land College
- Lake Superior State UniversityMI
- Lamar UniversityTX
- Lander UniversitySC
- Lebanese American University - LAU
- Lebanon Valley CollegePA
- Lees-McRae CollegeNC
- Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityNC
- LeTourneau UniversityTX
- Lewis UniversityIL
- Liberty UniversityVA
- Life UniversityGA
- Lincoln Land Community College
- Lincoln Memorial UniversityTN
- Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
- Lindenwood UniversityMO
- Linfield UniversityOR
- Livingstone CollegeNC
- London Metropolitan University
- Long Island UniversityNY
- Longwood UniversityVA
- Loras CollegeIA
- Louisiana State University A&M-Baton RougeLA
- Loyola University ChicagoIL
- Loyola University New OrleansLA
- Lubbock Christian UniversityTX
- Luther CollegeIA
- Madonna UniversityMI
- Malone UniversityOH
- Manhattanville UniversityNY
- Manor CollegePA
- Marian University - Indiana
- Marian University - Wisconsin
- Marietta CollegeOH
- Marshall UniversityWV
- Maryville University of St. Louis
- Marywood UniversityPA
- McKendree UniversityIL
- McMurry UniversityTX
- McPherson CollegeKS
- Menlo CollegeCA
- Mercy UniversityNY
- Mercyhurst UniversityPA
- Meredith CollegeNC
- Merrimack CollegeMA
- Methodist UniversityNC
- Metropolitan College of New YorkNY
- Midway UniversityKY
- Midwestern State UniversityTX
- Millersville University
- Milligan UniversityTN
- Millikin UniversityIL
- Millsaps CollegeMS
- Milwaukee Institute of Art & DesignWI
- Milwaukee School of EngineeringWI
- Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMN
- Misericordia UniversityPA
- Mississippi Christian University
- Mississippi State UniversityMS
- Missouri Southern State UniversityMO
- Missouri State University
- Missouri University of Science and TechnologyMO
- Missouri Western State University
- Montana State UniversityMT
- Montana State University Billings
- Montclair State UniversityNJ
- Montreat CollegeNC
- Moore College of Art and DesignPA
- Morehead State UniversityKY
- Morgan State UniversityMD
- Mount Aloysius CollegePA
- Mount Mary UniversityWI
- Mount Saint Mary CollegeNY
- Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityOH
- Naropa UniversityCO
- National Louis UniversityIL
- Neumann UniversityPA
- New England CollegeNH
- New England Institute of TechnologyRI
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyNM
- New Mexico State University
- New York School of Career and Applied Studies of Touro University
- Newberry CollegeSC
- Newman UniversityKS
- NewU UniversityDC
- Norfolk State UniversityVA
- North Carolina A&T State UniversityNC
- North Carolina Central UniversityNC
- North Carolina Wesleyan UniversityNC
- North Central CollegeIL
- Northeastern Illinois UniversityIL
- Northeastern State UniversityOK
- Northern Arizona UniversityAZ
- Northern Illinois UniversityIL
- Northern Kentucky UniversityKY
- Northern Michigan UniversityMI
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMO
- Northwest Nazarene UniversityID
- Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityMD
- Nova Southeastern UniversityFL
- Oakland UniversityMI
- Oakton College
- Ohio Dominican UniversityOH
- Ohio Northern UniversityOH
- Oklahoma Baptist UniversityOK
- Oklahoma Christian UniversityOK
- Oklahoma State University
- Old Dominion UniversityVA
- Ole Miss - The University of Mississippi
- Oral Roberts UniversityOK
- Oregon Tech
- Ouachita Baptist UniversityAR
- Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityFL
- Penn StatePA
- Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityPA
- Pfeiffer UniversityNC
- Piedmont UniversityGA
- Portland State UniversityOR
- Pratt Institute
- Purdue University Fort WayneIN
- Purdue University NorthwestIN
- Radford UniversityVA
- Randolph CollegeVA
- Regent UniversityVA
- Reinhardt UniversityGA
- Rend Lake College
- Rhode Island CollegeRI
- Richard Bland College
- Roanoke CollegeVA
- Robert Morris University (PA)
- Rochester Christian University
- Rockford UniversityIL
- Rockhurst UniversityMO
- Roger Williams UniversityRI
- Roosevelt UniversityIL
- Saint Francis UniversityPA
- Saint John's University (MN)
- Saint Joseph's College of MaineME
- Saint Mary-of-the- Woods CollegeIN
- Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaMN
- Saint Xavier UniversityIL
- Salem State UniversityMA
- Salzburg College
- Sam Houston State UniversityTX
- San Francisco Bay UniversityCA
- Sauk Valley Community College
- Savannah College of Art and DesignGA
- Savannah State University
- Schreiner UniversityTX
- Seton Hill UniversityPA
- Shaw UniversityNC
- Shawnee State University
- Shenandoah UniversityVA
- Shepherd UniversityWV
- Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaPA
- Simpson UniversityCA
- Southeast Missouri State UniversityMO
- Southern Illinois University CarbondaleIL
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleIL
- Southern Nazarene University
- Southern Oregon UniversityOR
- Southern University and A&M CollegeLA
- Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO)
- Southern Utah UniversityUT
- Southwest Baptist UniversityMO
- Spalding UniversityKY
- Spartanburg Methodist CollegeSC
- Spring Arbor UniversityMI
- St. Ambrose University
- St. Francis College
- St. John's University (NY)
- St. Norbert College
- St. Thomas University (FL)
- Stephen F. Austin State UniversityTX
- Stephens CollegeMO
- Stetson UniversityFL
- Stockton UniversityNJ
- SUNY Alfred State College of Technology
- SUNY Cobleskill
- SUNY College at Brockport
- SUNY College of Environmental Science & ForestryNY
- SUNY College of Technology at CantonNY
- SUNY Delhi
- SUNY Farmingdale State College
- SUNY Fredonia
- SUNY Morrisville State College
- Sweet Briar CollegeVA
- Tarleton State UniversityTX
- Temple UniversityPA
- Tennessee State UniversityTN
- Texas A&M University- Corpus ChristiTX
- Texas College
- Texas State UniversityTX
- Texas Wesleyan UniversityTX
- Texas Woman's UniversityTX
- The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
- The College of St. Scholastica
- The University of AlabamaAL
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville
- The University of FindlayOH
- The University of Memphis
- The University of South Alabama
- The University of Tennessee- ChattanoogaTN
- The University of Tennessee-MartinTN
- The University of Tennessee-SouthernTN
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX
- The University of Texas at DallasTX
- The University of Texas at El PasoTX
- The University of Utah
- The University of Virginia's College at Wise
- The University of West Florida
- Thiel CollegePA
- Thomas CollegeME
- Thomas More UniversityKY
- Tiffin UniversityOH
- Trinity Washington UniversityDC
- Triton College
- Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR
- University College Dublin
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Akron
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of ArkansasAR
- University of Central ArkansasAR
- University of Central MissouriMO
- University of CharlestonWV
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsCO
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Detroit MercyMI
- University of Guelph
- University of HartfordCT
- University of Holy CrossLA
- University of IdahoID
- University of IndianapolisIN
- University of IowaIA
- University of KansasKS
- University of Limerick
- University of LouisvilleKY
- University of LynchburgVA
- University of MaineME
- University of Maine at Augusta
- University of Maine at Fort KentME
- University of Maine at Presque IsleME
- University of Mary Hardin-BaylorTX
- University of Mary WashingtonVA
- University of Maryland Eastern ShoreMD
- University of Massachusetts DartmouthMA
- University of Michigan- DearbornMI
- University of Michigan- FlintMI
- University of Missouri- Kansas CityMO
- University of Missouri-St LouisMO
- University of Montana
- University of Nebraska- LincolnNE
- University of Nevada- RenoNV
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
- University of New Mexico
- University of North Carolina at PembrokeNC
- University of North DakotaND
- University of North FloridaFL
- University of North GeorgiaGA
- University of North TexasTX
- University of Northern IowaIA
- University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Indiana
- University of Sioux FallsSD
- University of South Carolina AikenSC
- University of South Carolina UpstateSC
- University of South DakotaSD
- University of South FloridaFL
- University of Southern IndianaIN
- University of Southern MaineME
- University of Southern MississippiMS
- University of St. Francis (IL)
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
- University of Texas Permian Basin
- University of the District of Columbia
- University of the Incarnate WordTX
- University of West GeorgiaGA
- University of Wisconsin - ParksideWI
- University of Wisconsin - River FallsWI
- University of Wisconsin- Stout Polytechnic
- Upper Iowa UniversityIA
- Ursuline CollegeOH
- Utah State UniversityUT
- Utah Tech University
- Valdosta State UniversityGA
- Valparaiso UniversityIN
- Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Vermont State UniversityVT
- Villa Maria CollegeNY
- Vincennes University
- Virginia State UniversityVA
- Viterbo UniversityWI
- Wabash CollegeIN
- Wake Technical Community College
- Walsh UniversityOH
- Warner Pacific UniversityOR
- Wartburg CollegeIA
- Washington & Jefferson CollegePA
- Washington Adventist UniversityMD
- Washington State UniversityWA
- Wayne State UniversityMI
- Waynesburg UniversityPA
- Webber International UniversityFL
- Webster UniversityMO
- Wesleyan CollegeGA
- West Chester University of PennsylvaniaPA
- West Texas A&M UniversityTX
- West Virginia UniversityWV
- Western Carolina UniversityNC
- Western Illinois UniversityIL
- Western Kentucky UniversityKY
- Western Michigan UniversityMI
- Western New England UniversityMA
- Western Oregon UniversityOR
- Westminster College (Missouri)
- Westminster College (Pennsylvania)
- Westminster University (Utah)
- Wheaton College (IL)
- Wichita State UniversityKS
- Wilberforce UniversityOH
- Wiley University
- Wilkes UniversityPA
- William Paterson University of NJ
- William Rainey Harper College
- William Woods UniversityMO
- Wilson CollegePA
- Wingate UniversityNC
- Winston-Salem State UniversityNC
- Winthrop UniversitySC
- Wittenberg UniversityOH
- Woodbury University – now University of Redlands, Los Angeles
- Worcester State UniversityMA
- Wright State University
- Xavier University of LouisianaLA
Questions
What is a supplemental essay?
An extra essay a college asks for on top of your main personal essay. Most are shorter and about that college: why you want to go there, what you want to study, or a short question about you.
Do all colleges require supplemental essays?
No. Of the 1,135 colleges on this page, 363 ask questions of their own this year. 231 use only the Common App essay, and 532 don’t require an essay at all.
How long are supplemental essays?
Most are short. Half of the word limits on this page are 250 words or less, and the longest allow 800.
When should I start my supplements?
At least three weeks before each deadline. Start with the “why us” essays, because they need research: classes, programs and people you can only find at that college.