Any Essay Optional Colleges?

[Anonymous]

Some kids just don't "test well" so many schools have gone test optional.

Other students don't write essays well. Wouldn't it be more equitable to have schools be essay optional as well?

I have one child who is a fantastic test taker. He did very well on the PSATs, SATs, and AP tests with very little prep or retakes. GPA was fine too, but the essays really, really tripped him up. They were a huge source of stress.

My second child is just the opposite. Test scores are moderate to low, but she can write personal essays beautifully and quickly. She's applying to all test optional schools and it just seems the whole process is so much easier for her as a result.

[Anonymous]

My son is a senior and I think the only school on his list that was essay optional was Duquesne in Pittsburg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is a senior and I think the only school on his list that was essay optional was Duquesne in Pittsburg.

Did he write an essay for Duquesne? Did he mention Pittsburg or Pittsburgh?

[Anonymous]

Cal States

[Anonymous]

Several large state schools and less competitive. My kid is applying to a bunch.

[Anonymous]

There was a study last year that found that essays were inequitable and favor rich kids even more than scores.

[Anonymous]

Northeastern.

[Anonymous]

Look at any mailings your child receives to see if they're waiving the essay.

Check all of these, because things may have changed.

Susquehanna
U of New Haven
Goucher
Maybe Gettysburg
Alabama
Arizona
U of Central Florida

Some of the above sent mail saying they were waiving essays due to academic profile of child. I don't know how they get the info and maybe it's a crock.

More here:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-that-dont-require-essays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a study last year that found that essays were inequitable and favor rich kids even more than scores.

Everything favors rich kids.

Early decision (higher chance of getting in but non-full-pay folks can't do this)
SAT prep and tutors
Better schools
College consultants
Essay prep consultants
High schools with more guidance counselors (and the money to pay them)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a study last year that found that essays were inequitable and favor rich kids even more than scores.

Of course they do. Life is inequitable. School is inequitable.

AP test scores, GPA, essays, and SATs and ACTs are inequitable.

Leadership and extracurricular activities are inequitable.

Mental health services are inequitable.

Internships are inequitable.

it goes on and on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at any mailings your child receives to see if they're waiving the essay.

Check all of these, because things may have changed.

Susquehanna
U of New Haven
Goucher
Maybe Gettysburg
Alabama
Arizona
U of Central Florida

Some of the above sent mail saying they were waiving essays due to academic profile of child. I don't know how they get the info and maybe it's a crock.

More here:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-that-dont-require-essays

Sidenote: Probably best to avoid Univ. of New Haven due to financial difficulties of the school.

[Anonymous]

I think ODU and U of Lynchburg were essay optional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northeastern.

Northeastern requires persoanl essay.

It just doesn't require 'why Northeasern' one unlike many others.

Case Western and Northeastern don't require that additional 'why our school'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a study last year that found that essays were inequitable and favor rich kids even more than scores.

Of course they do. Life is inequitable. School is inequitable.

AP test scores, GPA, essays, and SATs and ACTs are inequitable.

Leadership and extracurricular activities are inequitable.

Mental health services are inequitable.

Internships are inequitable.

it goes on and on.

Sure, but among those, I think test scores are most objective and fair

[Anonymous]

How does one get through college without the ability to write? I guess STEM.

Instead of whining about college application requirements, just send your kids to non-competitive one’s, because it sounds like that’s where they belong.