Competitive Colleges with no Supplemental Essays?

[Anonymous]

AOs can already see the student's main essay in the Common App, and they've got so many other data points to evaluate the kid with as well. The no-supplement policy probably lets some great slightly under-the-radar schools see some applicants who might not have been able to apply otherwise, and it might be an excellent fit for both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays are dumb when you don't even know who actually wrote it.

Kids have worked hard for years and schools should have plenty of data and information already.

No need to burden the kids more.

I think they are really important in some instances. Have you read the book, Getting into Brown? There's a girl from LA whose parents were immigrants from South America with menial jobs and very little income. She woke in the night to find out her father had been stabbed (or shot, I can't remember). She talked about handling this crisis as a family and as an individual. She was a top student at a low performing school in a tough area (obviously) and excelled at Brown, becoming a doctor herself, ultimately. So her essay was crucial in terms outlining the kind of difficulties she faced and facilitating the social change that helped her move from a place of poverty and danger into one of academic success.

And this could not have been reflected in the common app essays? What does this have to with supplemental essay requirements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison is on that Forbes list as “no essay required.”

After DS applied RD, Denison asked him to complete a Why Denison essay to stay in the running, despite the fact that he has a very high GPA. So as far as I can tell, the “no essay” requirement is a way to maximize applications while still requiring an essay of the kids they would like to accept (or, they will reject and yield protect if the kid doesn’t submit the essay).

This response is so arrogant and self-entitled. The kid was given an opportunity to explain why he should be picked over the thousands of other kids who also have a very high GPA and Mom/Dad complains about it. Unweighted GPAs only go to 4.0 and Denison has an average of 3.8 so there are thousands with 4.0s applying. Just wow!

So the applicant was lucky to have the “opportunity” to apply to one of the few schools with a bait and switch essay requirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AOs can already see the student's main essay in the Common App, and they've got so many other data points to evaluate the kid with as well. The no-supplement policy probably lets some great slightly under-the-radar schools see some applicants who might not have been able to apply otherwise, and it might be an excellent fit for both.

A supplemental essay allows to school the see demonstrated interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AOs can already see the student's main essay in the Common App, and they've got so many other data points to evaluate the kid with as well. The no-supplement policy probably lets some great slightly under-the-radar schools see some applicants who might not have been able to apply otherwise, and it might be an excellent fit for both.

A supplemental essay allows to school the see demonstrated interest.

Sure, but so do other things. Obviously many schools value supplements because they help suss out if an accepted student will actually choose them & improve yield. For some other colleges, the additional # of applications they'll get lets them pinpoint other great students — who may or may not have had that college as their top pick, but will seriously consider it if they get an acceptance. Admissions offices have fine-tuned what they're doing, sometimes going in a different direction from their peer schools.

[Anonymous]

Except for Middleburry, I guess everyone has some or the other form of supplemental requirement.

Vassar - you space submission
Denision - Optional essay
Grinnell - Optional essay
Colby - in a way, they ask for additional info, why scholarship etc

Remember, when colleges seek for optional essay/material, its actually mandatory for your application to be considered.

[Anonymous]

Crazy way to pick a college.

The supplemental essays are usually quite short.

This is a bad sign for how hard your kid is willing to work for his goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Crazy way to pick a college.

The supplemental essays are usually quite short.

This is a bad sign for how hard your kid is willing to work for his goals.

Kids and specifically their helicopter parents nowadays are more interested in shot gunning and shortcuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google is your friend: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2023/10/20/more-than-80-colleges-with-no-supplemental-essays-2023-24/?sh=650a536a1cdc

Most ridiculous list and lacks even iota of research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google is your friend: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2023/10/20/more-than-80-colleges-with-no-supplemental-essays-2023-24/?sh=650a536a1cdc

Most ridiculous list and lacks even iota of research.

You mean "lacks even ONE iota of..."

[Anonymous]

Oberlin doesn't have supplemental essays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin doesn't have supplemental essays

Oberlin is not competitive.. huh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Except for Middleburry, I guess everyone has some or the other form of supplemental requirement.

Vassar - you space submission
Denision - Optional essay
Grinnell - Optional essay
Colby - in a way, they ask for additional info, why scholarship etc

Remember, when colleges seek for optional essay/material, its actually mandatory for your application to be considered.

+1. Even a “no essay” school can end up having an “optional essay,” and that “optional essay” is in fact requirement to be in consideration for that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google is your friend: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2023/10/20/more-than-80-colleges-with-no-supplemental-essays-2023-24/?sh=650a536a1cdc

Most ridiculous list and lacks even iota of research.

Then find a better list. It’s relatively simple if you know how to search via Google. Quit complaining and do your own research. Grammar check might be helpful, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google is your friend: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2023/10/20/more-than-80-colleges-with-no-supplemental-essays-2023-24/?sh=650a536a1cdc

Most ridiculous list and lacks even iota of research.

Then find a better list. It’s relatively simple if you know how to search via Google. Quit complaining and do your own research. Grammar check might be helpful, too.

Wondering what is bad for brain and intellectual integrity, a useless list shared by an idiot or poor pathetic grammar written by another idiot.

This thread is full of idiots, and jobless helicopter moms.