what colleges don't require essays in texas

2024 Best Test Optional Colleges in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

• Direct Admissions
• College Quiz
• Best student life
• Top party schools
• Best academics
• Best colleges
• Best professors
• Hardest to get into

Best programs

• Accounting/finance
• Agricultural sciences
• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Communications
• Computer science
• Criminal justice
• Culinary arts
• Engineering
• Engineering technician
• Environmental science
• Film/photography
• Global studies
• Health care management
• Information technology
• International relations
• Kinesiology/therapy
• Performing arts
• Political science
• Public health
• Public policy
• Religious studies
• Sports management
• Most diverse
• Most liberal
• Most conservative

Social scene

• Best greek life
• Best campuses
• Best college dorms
• Best college food
• Best locations
• Safest campuses
• College athletics
• Best for student athletes

1-25 of 43 results

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX •

• • Rating 3.86 out of 5   1,576 reviews

Freshman: I visited SMU for a campus tour during the spring break of March 2023. The major factor that led me to choose SMU is its magisterial infrastructure and the opportunity to graduate with two degrees. SMU’s propounded Simmons school of Education’s Education program especially the Early childhood to 6 and the esteemed teaching faculty is the gravity force for me. After I graduate from college, I aspire to be a teacher in Texas and teach technology to kids with special needs. With the shortage of quality teachers in Texas, I conceive high caliber teachers can make the most impact in students to pursue their careers. Therefore, I am writing an application to get a degree from SMU and build a stronger society of future students. I want to be a proud Texan to serve the Texas education system by studying in the best Texas University. ... Read 1,576 reviews

• grade  A Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 53%

Net price $41,986

SAT range 1340-1510

#5 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

Blue checkmark.

DALLAS, TX ,

1576 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I visited SMU for a campus tour during the spring break of March 2023. The major factor that led me to choose SMU is its magisterial infrastructure and the opportunity to graduate with two degrees.... .

Read 1576 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 53% ,

Net Price : $41,986 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1510 ,

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX •

• • Rating 3.96 out of 5   1,729 reviews

Sophomore: I am currently enrolled at Texas Christian University as a first-year student in sophomore standing. For starters, my freshman year housing has been so great. I have had a great experience with my roommate and suite mates to make the housing experience even better. I am already involved in a number of organizations, and I hold leadership positions in two of those already as a first-year student, so I would say that the organizations here are top-tier. In general, the sporting events are extremely fun to watch, the atmosphere is amazing, and everything about the school is great. ... Read 1,729 reviews

Acceptance rate 54%

Net price $42,574

SAT range 1130-1350

#6 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

FORT WORTH, TX ,

1729 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I am currently enrolled at Texas Christian University as a first-year student in sophomore standing. For starters, my freshman year housing has been so great. I have had a great experience with my... .

Read 1729 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 54% ,

Net Price : $42,574 ,

SAT Range : 1130-1350 ,

University of North Texas

Denton, TX •

• • Rating 3.85 out of 5   6,204 reviews

Freshman: I've only been here for two semesters but overall it's a very fun experience. Some classes are harder than other colleges but your professors/TAs/SIs/Helpdesk are all here to help you. I would change the scheduling of classes even though they have a lot of variety, I just wish they had more noon classes rather than early morning or evening classes since I'm an esports varsity player. I love the campus itself, the events they have are super engaging, the scenery, even the food is (consistently) good. I play to stay at UNT since it's like no other college and I'd give it a solid 9.5/10 since there's always room for improvement. I love it here and I will stay here! ... Read 6,204 reviews

• grade  B+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 81%

Net price $11,915

SAT range 1010-1240

#12 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

DENTON, TX ,

6204 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I've only been here for two semesters but overall it's a very fun experience. Some classes are harder than other colleges but your professors/TAs/SIs/Helpdesk are all here to help you. I would change... .

Read 6204 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 81% ,

Net Price : $11,915 ,

SAT Range : 1010-1240 ,

FORT WORTH, TX

• • Rating 3.96 out of 5   1,729

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

WAXAHACHIE, TX

• • Rating 4 out of 5   837

West Coast University Online

4 Year (Online)

University of Texas - Dallas

Richardson, TX •

• • Rating 3.78 out of 5   2,430 reviews

Alum: About me: 12/2022 alum, Healthcare Studies major, off campus, Texas resident. SIZE: Large (20k undergrads, 50+ majors across 7 schools). My classes could range from 20-200. Never felt overwhelmed by the class size. LOCATION: Suburban. Very quiet, very safe. Never felt uneasy at night. Around 20-30 min away from downtown Dallas. Good for studying. MAJORS: There’s a little more focus on STEM/ computer science/ healthcare. However, the business school (JSOM) is really good! Has received national and international recognition. HOUSING: Dorms are pretty big. One dorm set up has 3 separate rooms, each w/ doors, bed &desk. And within that dorm with the three rooms, there’s a living space, an area w/ 3 sinks, and a bathroom that locks. Very spacious. STAFF: Mostly good. Only a few bad apples. STUDENT BODY: Pleasantly diverse! ATMOSPHERE: Serene. EXTRACURRICULARS: No football. Chess, academic clubs. There are a lot of active culture clubs! TL;DR: Life is what you make it here. ... Read 2,430 reviews

Acceptance rate 87%

Net price $12,924

SAT range 1220-1450

#14 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

RICHARDSON, TX ,

2430 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says About me: 12/2022 alum, Healthcare Studies major, off campus, Texas resident. SIZE: Large (20k undergrads, 50+ majors across 7 schools). My classes could range from 20-200. Never felt overwhelmed by the class size. LOCATION: Suburban. Very quiet, very safe. Never felt uneasy at night. Around 20-30 min away from downtown Dallas. Good for studying. MAJORS: There’s a little more focus on STEM/ computer science/ healthcare. However, the business school (JSOM) is really good! Has received national and international recognition. HOUSING: Dorms are pretty big. One dorm set up has 3 separate rooms, each w/ doors, bed &desk. And within that dorm with the three rooms, there’s a living space, an area w/ 3 sinks, and a bathroom... STAFF: Mostly good. Only a few bad apples. STUDENT BODY: Pleasantly diverse! ATMOSPHERE: Serene. EXTRACURRICULARS: No football. Chess, academic clubs. There are a lot of active culture clubs! TL;DR: Life is what you make it here. .

Read 2430 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 87% ,

Net Price : $12,924 ,

SAT Range : 1220-1450 ,

University of Dallas

Irving, TX •

• • Rating 3.79 out of 5   531 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Dallas is more than a school looking to impart knowledge. I truly believe, with the Catholic values baked into an oasis of a community, the Core curriculum is designed to grow the souls of students. It is definitely not a school for everyone, but those who are open to what they offer receive knowledge that makes for brilliant people. I want to emphasize the word "people." We are not in school at UD to become robots, or another number in a system, but to become people who are independent thinkers in a wild world, rooted in virtue and value. ... Read 531 reviews

Acceptance rate 58%

Net price $25,620

SAT range 1110-1390

#21 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

IRVING, TX ,

531 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The University of Dallas is more than a school looking to impart knowledge. I truly believe, with the Catholic values baked into an oasis of a community, the Core curriculum is designed to grow the... .

Read 531 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 58% ,

Net Price : $25,620 ,

SAT Range : 1110-1390 ,

University of Texas - Arlington

Arlington, TX •

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4,572 reviews

Sophomore: As a current student at the University of Texas at Arlington, I am privileged to be part of a vibrant and diverse academic community that has enriched my collegiate experience in numerous ways. One of the aspects I appreciate most about UTA is its diverse student body. Interacting with peers from various backgrounds and cultures has broadened my perspectives and allowed me to learn from different viewpoints. Additionally, as a student concerned about environmental sustainability, I would like to see UTA prioritize initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint. Implementing measures such as recycling programs, promoting energy-efficient practices could help UTA. Overall, my experience at the University of Texas at Arlington has been incredibly rewarding. Its diverse community, dedicated faculty, and vast opportunities for academic and personal growth make it an exceptional institution to attend. With ongoing efforts to improve student support services and sustainability initiatives. ... Read 4,572 reviews

Acceptance rate 93%

Net price $15,301

SAT range 1000-1220

#25 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

ARLINGTON, TX ,

4572 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says As a current student at the University of Texas at Arlington, I am privileged to be part of a vibrant and diverse academic community that has enriched my collegiate experience in numerous ways. One of the aspects I appreciate most about UTA is its diverse student body. Interacting with peers from various backgrounds and cultures has broadened my perspectives and allowed me to learn from... Additionally, as a student concerned about environmental sustainability, I would like to see UTA prioritize initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint. Implementing measures such as recycling... Overall, my experience at the University of Texas at Arlington has been incredibly rewarding. Its diverse community, dedicated faculty, and vast opportunities for academic and personal growth make it... .

Read 4572 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 93% ,

Net Price : $15,301 ,

SAT Range : 1000-1220 ,

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Texas Woman's University

• • Rating 3.81 out of 5   2,285 reviews

Sophomore: At Texas Woman's University, I met a lot of different people from different cultures which allowed me to express myself fully and embrace my culture more. However, when it came to studies, it was a hit or miss with the professors. Most professors were the greatest professors a student could ever ask for, but some are not understanding of situations and won't allow a student to learn or have that experience everyone else because of their particular situation, which I understand, but it's a bit unfair for these students who care about their grades and ability to learn in class. But the professors who truly care about the learning environment of their students and do anything in their power to make the environment feel safe and learn from them are the best professors TWU has to offer, but I would recommend the incoming students check rate my professor and to be one point when registering for classes. ... Read 2,285 reviews

Acceptance rate 96%

Net price $11,627

SAT range 950-1160

#27 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

2285 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says At Texas Woman's University, I met a lot of different people from different cultures which allowed me to express myself fully and embrace my culture more. However, when it came to studies, it was a... .

Read 2285 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 96% ,

Net Price : $11,627 ,

SAT Range : 950-1160 ,

University of North Texas at Dallas

• • Rating 4.32 out of 5   108 reviews

Junior: Overall, the facilities are clean and there are good instructors. However, some courses have a select few good instructors, causing their sections to fill up fast. Instructors are either good or bad, so at the end of the day it is all dependent on the student. ... Read 108 reviews

• grade  B Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 90%

Net price $6,575

SAT range 860-1020

#41 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

108 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Overall, the facilities are clean and there are good instructors. However, some courses have a select few good instructors, causing their sections to fill up fast. Instructors are either good or bad,... .

Read 108 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 90% ,

Net Price : $6,575 ,

SAT Range : 860-1020 ,

Southwestern Adventist University

Keene, TX •

• • Rating 3.94 out of 5   450 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Southwestern Adventist University was a scary process at first. I moved away from my hometown, and barely knew anyone. I was alone. Luckily, starting the first month of the school, I explored more of the school and the people, and I was surprised by what I found. I found a family. I made close friends so fast, and formed a good, open relationship with my professors and coworkers at the cafe. There was never a day, after I met them, that I felt alone. They taught me love, forgiveness, and kindness. I can never thank my university for how much they gave me for the short time I have been here. ... Read 450 reviews

Net price $18,472

SAT range 900-1130

#42 Best Test Optional Colleges in Texas .

KEENE, TX ,

450 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says My experience at Southwestern Adventist University was a scary process at first. I moved away from my hometown, and barely knew anyone. I was alone. Luckily, starting the first month of the school, I... .

Read 450 reviews.

Net Price : $18,472 ,

SAT Range : 900-1130 ,

Texas Wesleyan University

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   511 reviews

Freshman: Texas Wesleyan was a whirlwind. It was my first time venturing out into the world as an adult. It was a perfect Segway due to its small campus and one on one approach with the faculty. I was able to successfully spread my wings and begin a new life. I was apart of both the music and theatre department. The teachers were forcused on making you become the best artist you could be. I was surrounded by like minded people that celebrated the uniqueness and allowed that to elevate their artistry. The arts were supported by students of different departments and there was always a full crowd at every one of our shows. The small campus allowed the student to feel safer and more secure as they are making their transition into adulthood. The only downfall was the particular location. With amazing small business, came with low income housing, trashy streets, and crime. Texas Wesleyan did its best to combat outside conflict interfering with the students and their education. ... Read 511 reviews

• grade  B minus Overall Niche Grade

Net price $21,495

SAT range 920-1100

511 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Texas Wesleyan was a whirlwind. It was my first time venturing out into the world as an adult. It was a perfect Segway due to its small campus and one on one approach with the faculty. I was able to... .

Read 511 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B minus ,

Net Price : $21,495 ,

SAT Range : 920-1100 ,

Waxahachie, TX •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   837 reviews

Freshman: I love the community and the safe Christian environment. I have the opportunity to grow my faith with other students and world class professors who have studied the Bible. One thing that I would change is that I wish there was more people on campus! ... Read 837 reviews

Acceptance rate 85%

Net price $22,245

SAT range 900-1080

WAXAHACHIE, TX ,

837 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I love the community and the safe Christian environment. I have the opportunity to grow my faith with other students and world class professors who have studied the Bible. One thing that I would change is that I wish there was more people on campus! .

Read 837 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 85% ,

Net Price : $22,245 ,

SAT Range : 900-1080 ,

Dallas Baptist University

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1,089 reviews

Senior: I love Dallas Baptist University. Although a bit pricy, the community we have here really makes this university feel like home. The professors are so kind and really care about your future, always helping you strive to be better, and achieve your goals. There are always events held by the student organizations and it really helps remind you that you are not just here for an education, you are here to bond and learn how to be an adult. I love how there are so many places to go study depending on the environment you like to work in, and there are also a lot of free tutoring programs that help you actually understand what you are trying to learn! ... Read 1,089 reviews

• grade  C+ Overall Niche Grade

Net price $27,599

SAT range 940-1200

1089 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I love Dallas Baptist University. Although a bit pricy, the community we have here really makes this university feel like home. The professors are so kind and really care about your future, always... .

Read 1089 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C+ ,

Net Price : $27,599 ,

SAT Range : 940-1200 ,

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Remington College - Dallas

Garland, TX •

• • Rating 4.36 out of 5   152 reviews

Graduate Student: Remington College assists with academic intelligence by increasing our knowledge as a student. The Heating and Air Conditioning program teaches the aspects of HVAC chillers. For instance, A chiller has faults similar to a home's a/c system such as a blocked expansion valve, reduce water flow to the evaporator, dirty filter dryer, etc. In addition, it also seems as a chiller as similar systems components to a homes a/c system. ... Read 152 reviews

• grade  C minus Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 100%

Net price $22,431

SAT range —

GARLAND, TX ,

152 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Remington College assists with academic intelligence by increasing our knowledge as a student. The Heating and Air Conditioning program teaches the aspects of HVAC chillers. For instance, A chiller... .

Read 152 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : C minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 100% ,

Net Price : $22,431 ,

West Coast University - Texas

• • Rating 3.9 out of 5   118 reviews

Other: They are incredibly helpful, they seem to genuinely take an interest in their students and their well-beings, and they are just overall inviting and welcoming to anyone who is considering becoming a nurse. ... Read 118 reviews

Net price $23,761

118 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Other says They are incredibly helpful, they seem to genuinely take an interest in their students and their well-beings, and they are just overall inviting and welcoming to anyone who is considering becoming a... .

Read 118 reviews.

Net Price : $23,761 ,

Dallas College - Brookhaven Campus

Farmers Branch, TX •

• • Rating 3.99 out of 5   531 reviews

Senior: Brookhaven Campus was an enriching experience where I expanded my knowledge and earned my associates degree while enjoying a vibrant student life. Professors were supportive and passionate, fueling my academic growth. However, I hope to see more diversity and inclusion initiatives to create a welcoming environment for all students. Additionally, prioritizing mental health resources would further enhance the student experience, ensuring holistic support for academic success and personal well-being. ... Read 531 reviews

Net price $5,205

FARMERS BRANCH, TX ,

531 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Brookhaven Campus was an enriching experience where I expanded my knowledge and earned my associates degree while enjoying a vibrant student life. Professors were supportive and passionate, fueling... .

Net Price : $5,205 ,

Dallas College - Richland Campus

• • Rating 4.11 out of 5   729 reviews

Freshman: As a Dallas College student, I absolutely love my college! It's an incredible place that offers so many opportunities for growth and learning. The faculty and staff are so supportive and dedicated to helping us succeed. The campus atmosphere is vibrant and filled with a sense of community. I also appreciate the wide range of programs and courses available, allowing me to explore my interests and pursue my passion. Whether it's participating in clubs, attending events, or engaging in hands-on learning experiences, Dallas College truly provides a well-rounded education. I'm proud to be a part of this amazing institution! ... Read 729 reviews

• grade  A minus Overall Niche Grade

Net price $5,082

729 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says As a Dallas College student, I absolutely love my college! It's an incredible place that offers so many opportunities for growth and learning. The faculty and staff are so supportive and dedicated to... .

Read 729 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A minus ,

Net Price : $5,082 ,

Dallas College - Mountain View Campus

• • Rating 4.06 out of 5   620 reviews

Freshman: My overall experience with Dallas College at Mountain View has been very pleasant. My professors have been very thoughtful throughout my journey of a first year college students. Being a full online student is very much different from in person, but I am still receiving help through online. In times of need, I meet with a success coach virtually and 100% of the time I am attended for advising time. When it comes to course work, I am often doing discussion boards, to interact with other students and this is something I really enjoy doing because I like to read what others have to say on the material. I find that doing discussion boards as an online student is very important to get the interaction we don't receive in person. Dallas College has also provided a Dallas College Promise, which actually covered for the rest of my tuition. This was an immense help as I would not be able to afford my courses without the help of Dallas Promise. Overall, it has been great attending Dallas College. ... Read 620 reviews

Net price $4,630

620 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says My overall experience with Dallas College at Mountain View has been very pleasant. My professors have been very thoughtful throughout my journey of a first year college students. Being a full online... .

Read 620 reviews.

Net Price : $4,630 ,

KD Conservatory

• • Rating 4.26 out of 5   34 reviews

Freshman: I've just started with the school and look forward to learning all I can about performing arts and pursuing a career in Acting. ... Read 34 reviews

Acceptance rate 52%

Net price $17,455

34 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I've just started with the school and look forward to learning all I can about performing arts and pursuing a career in Acting. .

Read 34 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 52% ,

Net Price : $17,455 ,

Dallas College - North Lake Campus

• • Rating 3.94 out of 5   624 reviews

Junior: This is my first semester attending North Lake in-person. So far, the semester has gone great and I have been blessed with great teachers and peers to help me through this academic journey. It is a very friendly and welcoming environment. A great choice for anyone seeking a high-quality, yet affordable education. ... Read 624 reviews

Net price $5,216

624 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says This is my first semester attending North Lake in-person. So far, the semester has gone great and I have been blessed with great teachers and peers to help me through this academic journey. It is a... .

Read 624 reviews.

Net Price : $5,216 ,

Parker University

• • Rating 3.78 out of 5   149 reviews

Graduate Student: Enrolled in Parker University's online Clinical Neuroscience Master's program, my experience has been illuminating and flexible. The curriculum delves deep into the nervous system's complexities, enhancing patient care insight. Engaging virtual lectures and discussions foster connections with peers. However, the remote format occasionally leads to isolation, lacking hands-on practical experiences vital for clinical neuroscience. Despite this, the program equips me with invaluable knowledge for my future endeavors. ... Read 149 reviews

Net price $18,752

149 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Enrolled in Parker University's online Clinical Neuroscience Master's program, my experience has been illuminating and flexible. The curriculum delves deep into the nervous system's complexities,... .

Read 149 reviews.

Net Price : $18,752 ,

Dallas College - Eastfield Campus

Mesquite, TX •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   726 reviews

Alum: When I was there, the only complaint I had was the outdated appearance and navigation of the Dallas College website. Other than that, I had a pleasant time as a student there. I worked a part time job nearby while I attended classes. I usually alternated the days between the classes and work shifts. The professors themselves were always prepared to instruct the students. The difficulties I had in the classroom was sometimes foreign accents some very few professors would have that made it difficult to learn. That aside, the coursework felt like just high school level, as if you were just in grade 13 and 14 (assuming you finished in exactly two years). ... Read 726 reviews

Net price $5,650

MESQUITE, TX ,

726 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says When I was there, the only complaint I had was the outdated appearance and navigation of the Dallas College website. Other than that, I had a pleasant time as a student there. I worked a part time... .

Read 726 reviews.

Net Price : $5,650 ,

Dallas College - Cedar Valley Campus

Lancaster, TX •

• • Rating 3.96 out of 5   406 reviews

Sophomore: I like the flexibility of online classes. The professors all have been amazing and super helpful. The online tools make every learning experience easy and manageable and very easy to understand and find all assignments. All staff answered emails very quickly. As a mom/full time employee and student I can definitely appreciate a smooth transition in my everyday life and I can truly say Dallas College as definitely exceeded those expectations. I am proud to say I am student at Dallas College 😀 ... Read 406 reviews

Net price $7,332

LANCASTER, TX ,

406 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I like the flexibility of online classes. The professors all have been amazing and super helpful. The online tools make every learning experience easy and manageable and very easy to understand and... .

Read 406 reviews.

Net Price : $7,332 ,

Strayer University - Texas

• • Rating 4.16 out of 5   159 reviews

Freshman: Strayer was very good about getting back to me and working with me about getting into classes and working with me about my scholarships. The whole online college experience was daunting at first, but I was quick to overcome it with the support of their team and the online resources that they have. ... Read 159 reviews

Net price $17,681

159 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Strayer was very good about getting back to me and working with me about getting into classes and working with me about my scholarships. The whole online college experience was daunting at first, but... .

Read 159 reviews.

Net Price : $17,681 ,

DeVry University - Texas

• • Rating 3.91 out of 5   359 reviews

Alum: DeVry University has been amazing from the enrollment process to attending classes. They offer so many resources, free therapy, free tutoring, and tons of support and encouragement. I love DeVry and I encourage everyone I meet that wants to further or receive their education to check out DeVry! ... Read 359 reviews

Acceptance rate 36%

Net price $31,009

359 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says DeVry University has been amazing from the enrollment process to attending classes. They offer so many resources, free therapy, free tutoring, and tons of support and encouragement. I love DeVry and... .

Read 359 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 36% ,

Net Price : $31,009 ,

Concorde Career College - Dallas

• • Rating 3.9 out of 5   67 reviews

Other: Term 3 ST- Mr. Walker’s class. First day of class woohoo! Lots to learn, so hopefully we excel in everything that we are suppose to and it’s a great semester ... Read 67 reviews

Net price $22,510

67 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Term 3 ST- Mr. Walker’s class. First day of class woohoo! Lots to learn, so hopefully we excel in everything that we are suppose to and it’s a great semester .

Read 67 reviews.

Net Price : $22,510 ,

• • Rating 3.94 out of 5   450

Concorde Career College - Grand Prairie

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX

• • Rating 4.12 out of 5   196

ARLINGTON, TX

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4,572

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Top 15 Colleges and Universities That Do Not Require the SAT

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Many colleges and universities have switched to “test-optional admissions,” meaning that they do not require the SAT, ACT, or any other standardized testing for admission. So, what are the top colleges and universities that do not require the SAT? Read more below in our helpful guide to find out! 

What does “test-optional” mean? 

Test-optional means the school leaves it up to the student to decide if they want to submit standardized test scores with their application. Most test-optional colleges still encourage students to submit their SAT, ACT, or other scores. Therefore, a student who sends their SAT score might be able to strengthen their application by including high scores. However, at test-optional institutions, not submitting your SAT score will not hurt admission’s chances.

What does “test-blind”or “test-refusal” mean?

Colleges and universities that are test-blind do not accept standardized test scores from applicants. A growing number of individual colleges/universities as well as entire school systems are test-blind. Keep in mind that some schools have a temporary moratorium on submitting test scores which may or may not change.  

Students who do not plan on submitting their test scores may have a preference for test-blind schools. That’s because at these schools, they will be on totally equal footing with other applicants in terms of tests. 

At test-optional schools, on the other hand, students who submit stellar test scores may receive preference over applicants who don’t submit any scores. Keep in mind that this is not always the case; each school may have its own protocol surrounding ACT/SAT scores in its admissions office.

If I have SAT scores, should I submit them?  

If you do take the SAT, you are not required to submit it to a test-optional school. Therefore, there is no true harm in taking the SAT even if you are applying to only test-optional schools. This is because if you do submit a high SAT score , it might help your application. So, not submitting test scores will not hurt your application, but you may lose out on the opportunity to make your application stronger. In addition, some scholarships, including those offered by private organizations, may require SAT scores. 

Related: How to improve your SAT score

So, how do you know if you should submit your SAT score to a test optional school? 

Submit sat scores if:.

• Your SAT score is high or near the 75th percentile of admitted students to the school
• Other aspects of your application are not that strong such as GPA, class rank, AP or IB test scores, etc.
• The school recommends submitting your SAT score if you have them

Do not submit SAT scores if: 

• Your SAT score is low or below the 50th percentile of admitted students to the school

Ultimately, you should submit your SAT score if you believe it is high enough to help you! If not, the beauty of test-optional schools is that you do not have to worry about not submitting your SAT score because it will not hurt your chances. 

How this list of top colleges and universities that do not require the SAT was created

The following list of top colleges and universities that do not require the SAT was created by using Scholarship360’s Top Colleges for Students in 2024 list. Most of the colleges and universities on this list are prestigious universities that have low acceptance rates. This list is in alphabetical order and in no way reflects preference or recommendation.

Top 15 colleges and universities that do not require the SAT 

Brown university.

Brown University is an Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. Known for its strong computer science and medicine programs, Brown allows students to design their own majors . 

• Test optional: Yes
• Test optional until: Extended through 2024
• Acceptance rate: 6%

Columbia University

Columbia University is test-optional for applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Columbia University is an Ivy League research university located in New York City, New York. A distinctive core curriculum, a highly sought-after literature department, and intimate learning environments makes Columbia a top choice for students who want to attend college in the Big Apple. 

• Acceptance rate: 4%

Cornell University

Cornell University is an Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. Engineering and hotel management programs are just a few of the many prestigious academic programs at Cornell. 

• Test optional until: Extended through 2025
• Acceptance rate: 9%

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is an Ivy League research university located in Hanover, New Hampshire. Competitive academics and small classes are both found on Dartmouth’s beautiful rural campus. 

Note : Beginning with the class of 2029, Dartmouth University will once again require either the SAT or ACT for admission consideration. 

• Test optional until: 2023

Duke University

Duke University is a private university located in Durham, North Carolina. With a stellar reputation for its academic programs, Duke also excels at high-level athletics. 

Harvard University

Harvard University is an Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A leader in all academic subjects, Harvard is the most well-known university in the world. 

• Test optional until: Extended through 2026

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. As one of the nation’s oldest research institutions, research is continuously conducted at Johns Hopkins. 

• Acceptance rate: 8%

Princeton University

Princeton University is an Ivy League university located in Princeton, New Jersey. One of the oldest universities in the United States, Princeton is renowned for its emphasis on independent research.

Rice University

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Applied science and engineering programs are what Rice is most known for. 

Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. In addition to being highly ranked for its law, medicine, and engineering programs, Stanford is also known for its education schools. 

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois. U of Chicago is well known for its ideal city location as well as its rigorous academics. 

• Test optional until: Indefinitely 

University of Michigan

• Acceptance rate: 20%

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. UPenn is known for its programs in business management, finance, and real estate. 

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Vandy offers advanced degrees in medicine, engineering, nursing, business, and much more. 

• Test optional until: Extended through 2027
• Acceptance rate: 7%

Yale University

Yale University is a private Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Known for its strong academics and intellectual professors, Yale also has an excellent drama program. 

• Acceptance rate: 5%

If these top schools are not for you…

This is a list of the 15 top schools that are currently test optional. However, there are hundreds of other colleges and universities that are also test optional. Therefore, be sure to review a larger list of test optional institutions to find your perfect fit!

• If you plan on taking the SAT after reading this article, prepare well in advance. There are tons of free resources available!
• Decide whether or not to submit your scores to test-optional schools
• Take a look at supplemental essays for schools you plan to apply to and start thinking about ideas to write about
• Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible
• Apply to all the scholarships you qualify for. The Scholarships360 platform makes it easy to search for personalized scholarships opportunities! 

Frequently asked questions about colleges and universities that do not require the SAT

Do colleges that don’t require sat scores have different admissions criteria, what is the difference between test-optional and test-blind, will not submitting sat scores strengthen my application, scholarships360 recommended.

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Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Check out our list of Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas to see which one is right for you.

LeTourneau University

4 Year  •  Longview ,  TX

LeTourneau University is a private not-for-profit university based in Longview , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 321 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 47 %.

# 1 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Southwestern University

4 Year  •  Georgetown ,  TX

Southwestern University is a private not-for-profit university based in Georgetown , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 362 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 43 %.

# 2 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

St. Mary's University

4 Year  •  San Antonio ,  TX

St. Mary's University is a private not-for-profit university based in San Antonio , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 643 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 79 %.

# 3 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

University of St Thomas

4 Year  •  Houston ,  TX

University of St Thomas is a private not-for-profit university based in Houston , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 295 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 80 %.

# 4 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Austin College

4 Year  •  Sherman ,  TX

Austin College is a private not-for-profit university based in Sherman , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 332 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 52 %.

# 5 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

San Jacinto Community College

2-4 Year  •  Pasadena ,  TX

San Jacinto Community College is a public university based in Pasadena , Texas .

# 6 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Northwest Vista College

2-4 Year  •  San Antonio ,  TX

Northwest Vista College is a public university based in San Antonio , Texas .

# 7 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Texas A & M International University

4 Year  •  Laredo ,  TX

Texas A & M International University is a public university based in Laredo , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,230 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 49 %.

# 8 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

University of the Incarnate Word

University of the Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit university based in San Antonio , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 808 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 93 %.

# 9 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Texas A & M University-Commerce

4 Year  •  Commerce ,  TX

Texas A & M University-Commerce is a public university based in Commerce , Texas . It is an institution with an enrollment of over 1,161 bachelor’s degree candidates. The admission criteria is somewhat competitive with the acceptance rate of 34 %.

# 10 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

Amarillo College

2-4 Year  •  Amarillo ,  TX

Amarillo College is a public university based in Amarillo , Texas .

# 11 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

McLennan Community College

2-4 Year  •  Waco ,  TX

McLennan Community College is a public university based in Waco , Texas .

# 12 in Best Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

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Texas College Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Texas College's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Texas College and build a strong application.

School location: Tyler, TX

Admissions Rate: 31.9%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Texas College is 31.9% . For every 100 applicants, 32 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet Texas College's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Texas College GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 2.9

The average GPA at Texas College is 2.9 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 2.9, Texas College accepts students with below-average GPAs . You might have a mix of B's and C's in your high school record. It's best to avoid D's and F's, since application readers might question your commitment to studying and ability to succeed in college.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 2.9, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Texas College considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores or a strong application are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you don't pass their requirements, you're likely to be rejected.

We don't have information about their SAT or ACT score requirements, and so we highly recommend that you contact this school to try to learn more about what they're looking for in an applicant.

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Texas College here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $20
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 6

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes Rolling Rolling

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 2404 Tyler, TX 75712-4500
• Phone: (903) 593-8311
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Texas College, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Texas College.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, do any colleges not require essays for admission.

Hi everyone! I'm a junior starting my college search, and I'm curious if there are any colleges out there that don't require essays for admission. It'd be nice to have a few less essays to write! Thanks in advance.

Yes, there are colleges that don't require essays for admission! These schools often have a more streamlined application process and look at other factors, such as GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores (if applicable), when evaluating prospective students.

Many state schools, such as all California State Universities (those in the Cal State system), do not require essays as part of their application process. Additionally, some smaller schools and community colleges also don't require essays for admission.

That being said, you'll still find that most colleges do require essays. So, don't rule out a school automatically just because it requires essays - rather, be thoughtful about not overextending yourself in terms of the number of essays you're committing to writing, and make sure that the ones you do write are as strong as possible. Admissions essays help colleges understand who you are as an individual beyond your academic profile, and thus can make a significant difference in the decision process, if the school requires them.

Finally, even if a particular school doesn't require any school-specific supplemental essays, there's a decent chance it will still require a main personal statement, which you can submit to all of your schools through a platform like the Common App. Since you may well end up needing to write this essay, even if none of your schools have any supplements, you may find CollegeVine's guidance on how to tackle it useful: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/.

Overall, while there are certainly schools out there that don't require essays, odds are at least some of your schools will, and it's important to craft high-quality responses for these institutions. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Apply Texas Essays 2022‒2023

Apply Texas Essays 2023

If you live in Texas or plan on applying to schools there, it’s likely that you’ve heard of the Apply Texas portal . At Texas schools, the Apply Texas essays are an important part of the application process. In fact, the Apply Texas essays are the best way to let your personality, experiences, and interests impress admissions teams. 

In many ways, Apply Texas—including the Apply Texas essays—resembles the Common Application. So, you can likely repurpose plenty of information from the Common Application as you complete the Apply Texas application. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to tackle each of the Apply Texas essays. We’ll discuss:

• General information about the Apply Texas portal 
• How to respond to each of the Apply Texas essay prompts
• Different Texas college requirements
• The importance of the Apply Texas essays
• More useful essay resources from CollegeAdvisor

Now, let’s start our deep dive into the Apply Texas essays. But first, let’s talk about the Apply Texas application more broadly. 

What is Apply Texas?

Apply Texas is a college application portal where students can apply to higher education institutes in Texas. The portal was created in order to allow students to fill out one application for all Texas schools. Students will create an Apply Texas login in order to access their applications. 

However, while many of the best colleges in Texas require an Apply Texas login to complete their application, some don’t. So, make sure to check the application requirements for every school. 

Apply Texas essay vs. the Common Application essay

You may be wondering, what’s the difference between the Apply Texas essay and the Common Application essay? Well, logically, Apply Texas can only be used to apply to schools in the state of Texas. However, some Texas schools may also accept applications through the Common Application or Coalition Application. If that’s the case, then you can decide which portal to use. 

Overall, the Apply Texas essay format is similar to the Common Application essay format. This means that many of the tools you’ve used for your Common Application essay will help you complete your Apply Texas essays. You can also look at Common App essay examples to help you write the Apply Texas essays. 

Understanding the Apply Texas essay requirements

Different schools will have different requirements when it comes to the Apply Texas essay prompts. Some schools may not even require an essay at all. 

For example, Texas State University applicants will complete their applications using the Apply Texas login. While Texas State only lists their essay as “highly recommended,” you should still complete it. You can also check out some Apply Texas essays examples to bolster your application. 

The Apply Texas application also has its own unique Apply Texas essay prompts, which differ from the prompts on the Common App. So, while you might be able to repurpose your Common App essay for one of the Apply Texas essay prompts, you should think carefully about your choice of topic. 

What schools use Apply Texas?

Many two- and four-year universities in Texas use Apply Texas. This includes the majority of public universities as well as some private colleges. 

However, you should always double-check each school’s admissions site to see which application portal you should use. Each school’s requirements will vary. 

You can use Apply Texas to apply to some of the best colleges in Texas , including UT Austin and Texas A&M University. However, Rice University—the top college in Texas, according to U.S. News—does not use Apply Texas. 

Understanding the Apply Texas essay format

If you’re planning to apply to multiple Texas schools, you should create an Apply Texas login. However, all schools’ requirements will be different. This means the Apply Texas essay format could slightly vary.

While you’ll find one Apply Texas essay word limit on the application itself, different schools will recommend different word counts. You may also not complete all of the Apply Texas essays for every school.

So, top Texas universities such as the University of Houston , Texas Tech , and TCU will have slightly different requirements, even though you’ll use the same Apply Texas login to access their applications. Use our College Search Feature below to learn more about each school’s unique features!

What are the Apply Texas essays?

Next, let’s check out the Apply Texas essays. 

There are three Apply Texas essay prompts. You’ll complete different Apply Texas essays depending on which schools you apply to. For example, some schools may require that students respond to the Apply Texas essay A, while others may let you choose your prompt.  

Below, we’ve provided a chart with each of the Apply Texas essay prompts. 

Applicants should also note that Apply Texas word limits will vary by school. In this chart, we’ve provided the word limit suggested by the portal itself. However, you should adapt your word count to each university’s requirements. 

Remember to consider school supplements 

Additionally, note that some universities will require other short essays as well as one of the Apply Texas essay prompts. 

For example, the UT Austin application will differ from the Baylor application even though both will use an Apply Texas login. Likewise, the UT Austin application requirements aren’t exactly the same as the UT Dallas application requirements. So, always be sure to double-check the admissions sites for school specifics. 

Before tackling your Apply Texas essays, try to read some Apply Texas essays examples. This will give you an idea of the different ways to approach the essay. The Apply Texas essay format can vary, so looking at Apply Texas essays examples can help you think outside of the box. 

How long should Apply Texas essays be?

As you tackle the Apply Texas essays, you should keep the word count in mind. According to the Apply Texas application portal, you have 800 words for each of your essays. 

However, when it comes to the word limit, you’ll want to see what each university requires or recommends. Every school’s requirements will be different. 

Let’s check out a couple of schools in Texas and compare their approach to their Apply Texas essay word limit. 

The University of Texas Austin requires its applicants to respond to Apply Texas Essay A if using the Apply Texas application. Their word limit is 500-700. Additionally, students will complete three required short answer essays with word limits of 250-300 words. They can also choose to complete a fourth optional essay (also 250-300 words). 

Alternatively, Texas Tech does not require applicants to complete an essay. However, the essay is “highly recommended.” So, as usual, consider this optional essay a requirement. If using the Apply Texas application, Texas Tech gives students the option to respond to Apply Texas Essay A or B. They have placed a 500-word limit on this essay. Check out some tips from Texas Tech admissions to write your Apply Texas essays. 

Texas Christian University

The TCU admissions office requires applicants to complete one essay. However, which of the Apply Texas essays students write is up to them. The word limit is 300-500 words, so you’ll need to impress TCU admissions with a concise, authentic, and passionate essay. 

As you begin your Apply Texas essays, check out Common App essay examples and Apply Texas essays examples to help you prepare.

Apply Texas Essay A

Tell us your story. what unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today.

The Apply Texas Essay A seems to be the overwhelming favorite among universities using the Apply Texas essays. This prompt asks students to “tell us your story.” Simple enough, right? 

Of course, a prompt this broad can feel overwhelming. However, it’s a great opportunity to show admissions who you are. This is your chance to really make your application stand out by sharing something that you haven’t yet revealed (or expanded upon) in other parts of your Apply Texas application. 

This prompt is quite similar to one of the Common Application prompts. So, if you want some inspiration, you can check out Common App essay examples. 

Which Texas colleges require it?

Surprisingly, many universities in Texas do not require applicants to submit an essay. However, if a school includes an “optional” essay requirement, you should still submit one. The Apply Texas essays are a great way to stand out and enrich your application narrative. 

That being said, some universities in Texas do require applicants to submit Apply Texas Essay A. For instance, Texas A&M requires applicants to respond to Apply Texas Essay A. And, as we mentioned, the UT Austin application also requires Apply Texas Essay A.  

Remember, while going through the Apply Texas application, double-check the essay requirements. They will vary depending on each school. 

How to write Apply Texas Essay A

Like many college essays, Apply Texas Essay A asks you to share experiences that have made you who you are. Whether you have a million ideas or are drawing a complete blank, don’t worry. We’re here to help.

Let’s check out the best way to respond to Apply Texas Essay A.

You could probably tell many stories. Apply Texas Essay A asks you to share just one. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation. 

So, think about significant moments in your life. It could be easier to focus on the last few years, as you’ve probably grown a lot throughout high school. 

Make a list of moments that have changed or shaped you as a person. No moment is too small to include. As long as it shows some growth—and you can write authentically and passionately about it—then it’s a good topic. 

Answer the prompt completely

Now, the prompt mentions an opportunity or challenge. Don’t blatantly point out this in your draft by stating “this was a huge challenge/opportunity.” Most likely, if you’ve chosen a story that shows your personal growth, then it’s probably an opportunity or challenge. And, if you tell your story well, this will come through. 

You will need to clearly show how that moment that you’re sharing has shaped who you are today. For example, let’s say that you want to discuss the day you went to your first protest. From that moment forward you’ve been passionate about activism. That clearly shows how pivotal this moment was in your life. Maybe it’s even shaped what you’d like to study or your future career. 

Remember to research your school, too. Well-written Apply Texas essays will be specific to each individual school. For example, if writing an essay for Southern Methodist University , check out their specific programs and offerings. Even though this isn’t a “why school” essay, you can still link your interests and growth to the school.

Write passionately

This isn’t the time to write vague statements that could apply to any high school student. Your story should be unique to you. Make sure to choose your topic wisely to highlight your passion and authenticity. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative. Set the scene. Remember that it’s much more impactful to show rather than tell when writing. If we continue with our protest example, you might open your essay by describing the atmosphere using descriptive language that puts the reader right there with you. Then, you can reflect back on how this moment has affected you to date. 

Apply Texas Essays – Topic B

While a few schools require applicants to answer the Apply Texas essay A, some may ask you to choose which essay to respond to. Let’s review the second of the Apply Texas essay prompts:

Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of these students, then tell us about yourself.

Again, the goal of this prompt, like all of the Apply Texas essays, is to let you show each school what makes you unique. You should also aim to relate it back to your aspirations. For example, how does who you are shape what you want in your future?

Approaching Apply Texas Essay B

Topic B asks you to explore a part of your identity. Is there something you can point out that shows your values, character, and personality?

For example, maybe you’ve been dancing ballet since you started walking. Maybe it’s become a form of meditation or a way for you to express yourself. Perhaps it’s taught you discipline. It doesn’t matter how it’s shaped you (although it should be in a positive way)—you just need to show how it has impacted you. 

If you decide to focus on an “identity” instead of an “interest,” then you’ve got even more options to choose from. You can choose to highlight your background, experiences, family, values, or other key features. 

Overall, your topic should be unique to you. And, again, don’t be afraid to get creative in writing this essay. Your Apply Texas essays shouldn’t read like a resume; they should be engaging while still answering the prompt. 

Apply Texas Essay Prompts – Topic C

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a university that requires students to respond to the last of the Apply Texas essays. However, you may be given the option of which Apply Texas essay prompts you’d like to respond to. So, let’s check out Essay C.

You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

You may notice that this essay seems quite different from the other Apply Texas essays—it gives you a lot more freedom. So, you can really dive into the creativity of this topic. However, remember to not get too carried away and forget that, in the end, you’re still writing a college essay. The main goal, like the other Apply Texas essay prompts, is to show who you are as a person and an applicant. 

Crafting a response to Essay C

For Essay C, your process doesn’t have to be wildly different than it was for the other Apply Texas essay prompts. First, decide what you’ll write about. Start by brainstorming options if nothing comes to mind right away. 

Maybe you have a topic in mind immediately. That’s great! If you can write passionately about your ticket destination and activity, then that’s the topic for you.

Once again, get creative. You could go to a magical land, back in time, outer space, or to a remote island. The ticket and the destination don’t matter—it’s what they show about who you are. 

Most importantly, make sure to tie in your career goals or future aspirations. How will this trip impact you and your future? What experience will you have that will shape you?

Exploring Texas college’s essay requirements

When it comes to factors such as the Apply Texas essay word limit or Apply Texas essay prompts, requirements will vary by school. While the general Apply Texas application will be the same, the Apply Texas essay format will be different. Namely, each school will request different Apply Texas essay prompts. 

Let’s look at some of the essay requirements for the best colleges in Texas:

As you can see, while the Apply Texas application is uniform, the essay requirements vary greatly by school. For instance, you’ll see the Apply Texas essays for the Baylor application vs the University of Houston application are not the same. So, always double-check with your university’s admissions sites for all requirements. 

And, don’t forget, when it comes to “optional” essays, treat them as though they are required. While Texas A&M admissions requires an essay, Texas Tech does not. However, strong essays will impress both Texas Tech and Texas A&M admissions. After all, Apply Texas essays are the best way for schools to get to know you better. 

How important are the Apply Texas essays?

When it comes to the admissions process, the Apply Texas essays are extremely important. In general, college essays let applicants share a part of their personality that they haven’t highlighted elsewhere in their application. 

Additionally, most schools use a holistic admissions approach when evaluating students. That means that they review all parts of the application: GPA, essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and more. In fact, with more schools going test-optional, essays are an even more significant piece of your application puzzle. 

All to say: strong Apply Texas essays can make a huge difference. So, give yourself ample time to write them.

5 Tips to Make Your Apply Texas Essays Stand Out

Since the Apply Texas essays are so important in the admissions process, you’ll want to do everything you can to make yours stand out. 

5 tips to write Apply Texas essays that impress 

1. meet the requirements.

This may seem obvious, but you need to make sure that you understand the requirements for each school. Double-check the word counts and requirements for each to make sure that you hit all targets. 

2. Choose a topic carefully

Your topic is the most important part of the process. If you choose a topic that you aren’t authentically passionate about, it will show. Don’t think about what admissions wants to hear. Instead, choose a topic that you can easily write about. Then go back and fine-tune your essay to answer every aspect of the prompt. 

3. Get creative

Your Apply Texas essays should be engaging and unique. Don’t feel like you need to stick to a certain format. Set the scene and capture your audience. This is your opportunity to show who you are as well as your writing chops. So, as long as you answer each prompt fully, get as creative as you’d like!

4. Show personal growth

Your Apply Texas essays should show how you’ve evolved. Ideally, you should connect your personal growth to future aspirations in college and beyond. No matter the prompt, this is your opportunity to shine. These are college essays, so you want to show what you’ll bring to campus with your responses. 

5. Start early!

The last thing you want to do when it comes to your Apply Texas essays is wait until the last minute. Creating impactful essays will take time. You’ll brainstorm, draft, edit, and redraft. You should also leave enough time to have someone else proofread your essay for mechanical errors. Likewise, if they don’t understand the narrative, you’ll want to rework your story and message so that it makes sense to a reader. 

Apply Texas Essays & More Essay Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Writing the Apply Texas essays can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled many essay resources to help you create your best essays. While admissions requirements and essay prompts will change, the overall goal of your college essays stays the same: show admissions who you are and why you belong at that university. 

Before writing essays, you’ll also want to research specifics about the school. We have college pages that outline acceptance rates, enrollment, majors, and more to give you some quick facts on different schools in Texas. To jumpstart your research, check out the Baylor University , Texas A&M University , and University of Texas Austin pages . However, make sure to also do a deep dive into each university’s website to learn more about specific programs and campus life. 

Essay guides and other resources

Follow up by checking out our essay guides. These guides are specific to individual universities. You may even find it helpful to look at past essay guides such as our Baylor , Texas A&M , or UT Austin essay guides. Again, while prompts may change, the end goal of the essays stays the same. 

Additionally, check out the most recent guides such as this 2022-2023 Texas Christian University guide for the most up-to-date tips on making your essays stand out to TCU admissions. Looking at example essays can also help you get inspired. 

CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of resources to help you on your college journey. No matter if you’re trying to create the best Baylor application or impress Texas A&M admissions, our team can help. For expert guidance on the Apply Texas essays and more, schedule a meeting with our team here .

This essay guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Write the ApplyTexas Essays 2023-2024 + Examples

Born from the collaboration between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and various public and private universities around the state, ApplyTexas is a wide-spanning application that allows its users to apply to hundreds of Texan colleges. Like the Common App, it offers a platform for students—natively Texan or not—to send off the same information to many schools, although each school may require differing additional information. 

Unlike the Common App, ApplyTexas may be used to apply to the community colleges, public four-years, participating private schools, graduate programs, and even scholarships within Texan borders. For this article’s purposes, we will be focusing primarily on ApplyTexas’s 150+ four-year colleges and universities. Check out our full list of Texan colleges .

Read this ApplyTexas essay example to inspire your own writing.

Which Colleges Require Which Essays?

As for the ApplyTexas essays, there are three main prompts — prompts A, B, and C — but some colleges will only require some, keep others optional, or not accept certain prompts at all. They may also have additional short answer questions and supplements of their own. Even the recommended word count varies between schools.

Here’s a quick snapshot into the unique essay requirements of a few top ApplyTexas colleges:

University of Texas at Austin:

• Topic A is required.
• 4 short answer responses, 1 of which is optional (250-300 words).
• Additional major-specific materials/requirements for art/art history, architecture, nursing, and social work programs .
• Also accepts the Common App.

Southern Methodist University:

• Topic A essay required, B is optional. 
• Also accepts the Common App, Coalition Application, and its own application.

Texas A&M University, College Station:

• Topic A is required. 
• 4 additional short answers for all applicants, 1 of which is optional.
• 1 short answer for applicants to the College of Engineering.

Baylor University, Waco:

• Choose between Topic A, B or C (optional). 
• Also accepts the Common App and its own application.

Texas Christian University:

• Any essay topic on the ApplyTexas application (optional)
• 3 additional short answer questions, 1 of which is optional.
• Any essay topic on the ApplyTexas application (optional).

Never ignore optional prompts! Taking the time to complete them shows that you truly care about the school. Ignoring them will make admissions officers wonder if you even like it enough to actually attend it if accepted.

If you are applying to any of these universities and feel you would rather use the Coalition Application or the Common Application, see our Coalition Application Essay Guide and our Common Application Essay Guide . Keep in mind that essay requirements will vary depending on which platform you use. For instance, some schools (SMU, TCU, Baylor) may have additional short essays if you use the Common App.

If you still feel ApplyTexas is the platform for you, read on!

Before You Begin

It’s important to verify that your desired schools are featured on the ApplyTexas platform. Certain private schools—Rice University, for example—use the Common Application instead of ApplyTexas.

And while all the public universities in Texas accept ApplyTexas, some of them also accept the Common Application and Coalition Application, as we’ve seen. The Common Application , Coalition Application , and ApplyTexas offer tools to determine whether a university is included in their platform. Be sure to verify which application is better suited to your college list. Many students can tackle all their schools with just the Common App, but others may have to use a couple different platforms.

Approaching the ApplyTexas Essays

So you’ve worked through the application form, requested copies of your transcript and recommendation letters, effectively described your extracurriculars, and sent in your scores, if any. All that remains now are the essays: your best shot at showing admissions officers how you think, who you are, what matters to you, and why!

As you may remember, ApplyTexas contains three essay prompts: Topics A, B, and C. Each school may have different essay requirements, so it is best to familiarize yourself with all of them. For instance, even if you’re bursting with knowledge about your future major, these essays are an opportunity to speak holistically with regards to your life and experience.

Essay-Writing Strategies

With few parameters aside from the word limit of approximately 800 words (and with each school often setting different word counts), the ApplyTexas essay may seem intimidating. Luckily, the prompts can act as a creative and procedural tether. Whereas students applying via Common Application may begin by shaping a central idea before matching it up to one of the various prompts, ApplyTexas essays grow from the prompt up . Because of this, the best brainstorming and organizational practices for each prompt are unique. The one factor that remains ubiquitously relevant is writing — good writing. Before we get into the details of ideation and organization for each prompt, we’ll review some ways to ensure your writing is clear, communicative, and evocative.

Tips for writing well:

• Show, don’t tell (you’ve heard it before, but it’s worth hearing again!)
• Use active, rather than passive, sentence construction.
• Write with precision.
• Avoid clichés

The somewhat hackneyed advice of “Show, don’t tell” is nevertheless crucial to writing a compelling application essay. The meaning of showing a reader rather than telling them is best interpreted literally. Imagine you’re outside your house and you see a dog skateboarding on it’s two front paws. You run inside, eager to { tell, show } whoever is home. You fling open the door and narrowly avoid a collision with your brother, still unlacing his shoes from basketball practice.

You tell him: “Aamir, I just saw a dog skateboarding on its two front paws!”

You show him: You grab Aamir by the corner of his Jersey. “Come quick” you squeal, and he stumbles out after you, tripping on his laces. Thankfully, the dog is still there. “Just look,” you breathe out, already mesmerized by the wind rushing through the schnauzer’s mustache. Wobbling ever so slightly, the pup remains confident as he shreds the inclined blacktop of the cul-de-sac. Then, a moment later, it’s over. Unaware of the scale of his accomplishment, the dog scratches behind his right ear. You look over at Aamir. “Whoa.”

Out of these two scenarios, we can be sure that Aamir will only remember the second. It’s much the same for admissions committees; they’re more likely to remember you if you show them what you want to communicate. Now, showing doesn’t need to be much longer than telling. In fact, succinct writing is just as important as descriptive writing. Abandoning the literal narrative of “showing,” we’re left with something like this: A schnauzer puppy from the cul-de-sac was balanced on his front paws—miraculously, on a skateboard. Man, that dog could shred.

Using active voice is another crucial component of clean, clear writing. It’s also pretty simple. Make sure your sentence’s subject performs the action indicated by the verb. For example, instead of writing “the skateboard was maneuvered by a schnauzer,” you would opt for, “the schnauzer maneuvered the skateboard.” The only exception to this rule is when you want to bring explicit attention to the person or thing affected by an action. Our story is actually a decent example. What’s more noteworthy? The skateboarding? Or the fact that a dog is doing it? An acceptable passive construction might look like this: “the skateboard—would you believe it—was being maneuvered by none other than the schnauzer from across the cul-de-sac.” In this instance, we’re able to use passive voice to create humor and suspense. That being said, the vast majority of your sentences should employ the active voice.

The active voice is also a big part of writing with precision , and word choice may also make writing precise or imprecise. For example, while “evasive” is a synonym of “oblique” in one sense, it would nevertheless be embarrassing to write that, “John sat in the armchair evasive to the television.” Rather than picturing a chair positioned diagonally (obliquely) from the television, readers are left wondering what in the world an evasive chair might be. So use your thesaurus — carefully. 

It is common for burgeoning writers to get a little too adjective-happy. Adjectives’ power correlates inversely with their use. If each of your sentences is flush with adjectives, you’re diluting their impact.

Finally, avoid any clichés, aphorisms, etc. that fail to add value to your essay. Admissions officers will read countless essays boasting “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  If you’re tempted to use a hackneyed phrase, find its seed instead. Clichés are cliché because they stem from important thoughts, universal truths, and romantic principles. In the case of “Be the change you want to see in the world,” the seed might be an individual’s ability to impact a community, or to transform outdated and unjust systems. The seed of a clichéd phrase may still be worth writing about, but it’s important that you write authentically and originally.

Dissecting the Prompts

ApplyTexas features two sets of prompts, one for incoming freshmen (both domestic and international) and one for transfer, transient, or readmit applications. In this article, we will cover the first set to help freshman applicants. Want to know your chances at an ApplyTexas school? Calculate your chances for free right now.

While different schools require different combinations of essays, most students should be prepared to deal with topics A, B, and C. Students intent on pursuing a degree related to art and design should also be ready to answer topic D. Check out this ApplyTexas database to scout out which schools will require which essays . 

Here are this year’s prompts:

• Topic A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?
• Topic B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.
• Topic C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?
• Topic D (specific to majors in architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education): Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education), describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Notice how you are encouraged to speak about an opportunity or a challenge. Many students believe that they must talk about a tragedy in order to grab the attention of admissions officers, but this isn’t true. An essay can easily be thoughtful, insightful, and an engaging read without utilizing this specific emotional appeal.

Still, stories about difficult circumstances are often memorable. They are most effective when focused primarily on the student’s journey of working through the challenge instead of the challenge itself. Check out Collegevine’s article if you would like more tips on writing about challenges .

You’re trying to stand out, so beware of overused tropes like the following:

• Mental illness: It takes enormous strength to heal from and learn to manage a mental illness. Still, they may be tricky to write about. Read our article for more information on covering mental illness and disabilities within your application .
• Getting a bad grade in a class but then working hard to raise it.
• Sports stories such as winning/losing the “big game” or getting injured.
• Death of a pet or family member.
• Mission trip which made you realize how lucky and privileged you are.

Side note : Sometimes students face challenges that are outside of their control and which have negatively impacted their academic and/or extracurricular performance. If this has been your experience, and you don’t plan to explain them within this essay response, you may ask one of your recommenders to do so through their letter of recommendation.

Now, there’s no such thing as a “bad” or “good” essay topic; students have gotten into top schools with essays about Costco, pizza deliveries, and sparkling water. It often matters less so what you write about than how you write about it! 

These common essay topics are only doable when well-written, specific, and featuring a fresh take. The story of how fixing your Calculus grade taught you the value of hard work is not nearly as interesting as that of a student who is diagnosed with dyscalculia—a disability which creates a difficulty in understanding and working with math and numbers—and then opens up a dyscalculia awareness club with plans to become a special education teacher. The latter story would demonstrate the student’s ability to turn preconceived weaknesses into strengths, and admissions officers will quickly see that though he may initially struggle with long division, this student is nonetheless a creative problem-solver.

Please be aware that although it is possible to make a “common” topic interesting, it is easier to write about a situation that is unique to begin with. Also, don’t feel pressured to write about a challenge, especially if the situation has happened so recently that you haven’t fully finished processing or growing from it.

With all of this in mind, let’s get into brainstorming! Many people begin their ideation process through writing long lists or even talking into their phones in an untethered stream-of-consciousness. Do whatever it takes to get your creative juices flowing! 

As you reflect, you may consider these questions:

• Which values and skills do you hold closest to your heart? Honesty? Hard work? Clear communication? Diversity? Environmental stewardship? Activism? Where did these priorities come from?
• What are you most grateful for? What are you most proud of? What risks have you taken which have paid off?
• What do you like to do? When and how did you get into it?
• How would your family and friends say you have changed for the better over the years, and why?
• Look back at your list of extracurricular activities. Which ones were challenging and/or special opportunities? When have you tried something new?

Practice self-compassion while considering topics, and know that none are too big or too small. You can write about anything from taking a summer math class (even though you’re more of an English person) to being a camp counselor to giving your first speech in front of a crowd.

Overall, the admissions officers are looking for growth. They want to see the circumstances you turned into opportunities for improvement. You may even reflect upon a situation that initially seemed like an unpleasant challenge but later revealed itself as a hidden opportunity. For example, you may have reluctantly let your friend drag you to a business club meeting before discovering a passion for economics and rising as a club leader.

Ideally, your story will be unique and offer a fresh perspective. Be specific about the challenge or opportunity you were presented with, and think about how it changed you for the better. 

Remember, they are literally asking for you to “tell [them] your story,” so consider using a narrative format, especially if storytelling is a talent of yours. 

Here’s a general outline: 

• If you choose to go with a traditional storytelling format, we recommend beginning with a vivid anecdote featuring rich imagery to draw the reader in or an unexpected premise which makes one have to read on in order to fully understand. 
• From there, you may dive into who you were at the time, how you felt and how you acted, before moving towards your turning point—the challenge or opportunity—from which you decided to grow. 
• Explain how, exactly, the turning point influenced you. Ask yourself: How did it make you feel? Excited and ready for more, or initially anxious? How did it impact you? Perhaps you learned something new about yourself, or maybe now you’re kinder, more confident, or a harder worker. 
• To mix it up a bit, you could even play with sequencing, perhaps starting with a moment of success before reflecting on all of the growth you had to complete to get to that point.

Finally, you are human, so you don’t have to portray yourself as perfect in the end. You are using this essay to talk about what may be one of your greatest strengths or sources of pride, but make sure to stay balanced with a humble tone.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic A:

The morning of the Model United Nation conference, I walked into Committee feeling confident  about my research. We were simulating the Nuremberg Trials – a series of post-World War II  proceedings for war crimes – and my portfolio was of the Soviet Judge Major General Iona  Nikitchenko. Until that day, the infamous Nazi regime had only been a chapter in my history  textbook; however, the conference’s unveiling of each defendant’s crimes brought those horrors  to life. The previous night, I had organized my research, proofread my position paper and gone  over Judge Nikitchenko’s pertinent statements. I aimed to find the perfect balance between his  stance and my own.

As I walked into committee anticipating a battle of wits, my director abruptly called out to me.  “I’m afraid we’ve received a late confirmation from another delegate who will be representing  Judge Nikitchenko. You, on the other hand, are now the defense attorney, Otto Stahmer.”  Everyone around me buzzed around the room in excitement, coordinating with their allies and  developing strategies against their enemies, oblivious to the bomb that had just dropped on me.  I felt frozen in my tracks, and it seemed that only rage against the careless delegate who had  confirmed her presence so late could pull me out of my trance. After having spent a month  painstakingly crafting my verdicts and gathering evidence against the Nazis, I now needed to  reverse my stance only three hours before the first session.

Gradually, anger gave way to utter panic. My research was fundamental to my performance, and without it, I knew I could add little to the Trials. But confident in my ability, my director  optimistically recommended constructing an impromptu defense. Nervously, I began my  research anew. Despite feeling hopeless, as I read through the prosecution’s arguments, I  uncovered substantial loopholes. I noticed a lack of conclusive evidence against the defendants  and certain inconsistencies in testimonies.

My discovery energized me, inspiring me to revisit  the historical overview in my conference “Background Guide” and to search the web for other  relevant articles. Some Nazi prisoners had been treated as “guilty” before their court dates.  While I had brushed this information under the carpet while developing my position as a judge,  it now became the focus of my defense. I began scratching out a new argument, centered on the premise that the allied countries had violated the fundamental rule that, a defendant was “not guilty” until proven otherwise.

At the end of the three hours, I felt better prepared. The first session began, and with bravado, I  raised my placard to speak. Microphone in hand, I turned to face my audience. “Greetings  delegates. I, Otto Stahmer would like to…….” I suddenly blanked. Utter dread permeated my  body as I tried to recall my thoughts in vain. “Defence Attorney, Stahmer we’ll come back to  you,” my Committee Director broke the silence as I tottered back to my seat, flushed with  embarrassment. Despite my shame, I was undeterred. I needed to vindicate my director’s faith  in me. I pulled out my notes, refocused, and began outlining my arguments in a more clear and  direct manner. Thereafter, I spoke articulately, confidently putting forth my points. I was  overjoyed when Secretariat members congratulated me on my fine performance.

Going into the conference, I believed that preparation was the key to success. I wouldn’t say I  disagree with that statement now, but I believe adaptability is equally important. My ability to  problem-solve in the face of an unforeseen challenge proved advantageous in the art of  diplomacy. Not only did this experience transform me into a confident and eloquent delegate at  that conference, but it also helped me become a more flexible and creative thinker in a variety of other capacities. Now that I know I can adapt under pressure, I look forward to engaging in  activities that will push me to be even quicker on my feet.

Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

This prompt is a more varied than the first one, and gives you more leeway in choosing what you’ll actually be talking about. Someone’s identity, talents, and interests, might be linked together but they just as easily might not. Either way, don’t worry. With regards to this prompt, there is no ideal angle. Let’s break down what it could mean to address each of these categories.

Identity can refer to any number of traits that you feel define you. This includes race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and other more community-based identities such as gamer, athlete, artist, weaver, dancer, Democrat, etc. Your identity is simply what makes you, you. Essays about identity are a great opportunity to demonstrate your critical and political acuity, personal convictions, and social history. However, they also pose certain risks. The premise of writing about identity is that you’ll demonstrate what makes you unique as a person. Even though many of us share certain identity traits, we’ve all experienced them differently. It’s especially important to focus on those details. Essays about identity that lack individual texture risk making you appear almost clone-like. That being said, there is no topic that is inherently cliché for this prompt.

Talent is a topic that will surely feel familiar to you as a prospective college applicant. Frankly, that’s what can make it tricky to write an essay about your talents—it risks echoing the several other parts of an application that are designed to draw out and display your talents for an admissions committee. Even so, if you believe that you have gained an especially insightful lesson or reflection from one of your listed activities, it may still be worth writing about. Just make sure you’re elaborating on your talents rather than reiterating them. Beyond the talents already featured in your application, many applicants have a talent that stands out from their formal talents and activities. One might be a master bird-caller, for example, but not have it listed as an extracurricular. Often times, writing about a wild-card talent is a way to introduce a facet of your personality that would otherwise remain invisible. The topic of talent also gives you the opportunity to write about certain interpersonal skills that might be especially important to you but impossible to express on a resume. For example, if you cultivate your skills as a listener and have a well-formulated political or philosophical imperative for doing so, that could make a great topic.

Interests are unique from talents in that you need not necessarily be good at them. They might not even be skills-related to begin with. For example, you might be supremely interested in pigeons but unable to include that interest in any other part of the application. Interests can make for especially unique, quirky, and fascinating essays. That being said, such essays also risk missing the whole point of the prompt. You need to tell the committee about yourself. If you choose to write about an obscure interest, it’ll be crucial to relate it back to your personality, outlook, or identity.

Now that we’ve addressed the differences between the subsections of this prompt, let’s review some ways in which you can brainstorm. While writing about identity, talents, or interests will result in slightly different essays, the goal is the same: to show the admissions committee—through your own eyes—who exactly you are.

The first step in brainstorming for this prompt is making a list of your defining characteristics. As you do this, you’ll want to prioritize characteristics that paint you in a generally positive light. While you don’t want to brag, you definitely want to be optimistic about who you are.

Second , you should make a sort of genealogy for each characteristic. How did they come to be so important to you? What experiences built up to the point where you’d consider a trait to be essential to your personality?

Finally , you’re going to need to rank your traits and their accompanying genealogies. For some students, who have a very central and defining trait, this won’t be tricky at all. But for students who are less certain what to write about, it will be important to prioritize the traits with the most interesting genealogies. Seeing as you want to show the committee rather than tell them, it’s crucial that you pick a trait that has a compelling history—that fits into a narrative or intellectual picture of yourself. This is especially essential for students intent on taking a more creative tone with this prompt. While an obscure interest can be interesting and endearing, it needs to have a compelling genesis and impact within your personal history.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic B:

In one of the side streets of Rabat, one of the many winding corridors in the Medina, a long-abandoned house is standing, dilapidated from its years of neglect. The windows have been smashed; valuable materials have been ripped out of the floor and graffiti smears peeling walls. Yet remnants of its old life still remain intact; photo albums clutch family moments as cobwebs dangle from their spines. A mini plastic basketball hoop clings to a wall and a handmade poster above it reads “Senior League: Armond – Junior: Sasha and Lucy” but the faded yellow of the net suggests that no games have been played here for a long time. Not since we left. Mom left him just as I was turning four. The relationship had been emotionally stressful for the past few years and the threat of physical danger forced her to make a secret escape with us. We left everything behind.

Thousands of miles away and thirteen years later, I have never been back. I have never met him. As young as I was, I have not been oblivious to his absence. Even now, there are moments when I experience this emptiness inside of me. A sensation so overwhelming, I can’t believe I have managed to ignore it for so long. I lie down, close my eyes and grieve. Not just for him but for the life I never had, or at least, the one I left behind and can no longer remember. As the tears stop, I slowly drift to sleep. Sometimes I dream that he has unexpectedly turned up on the doorstep of our Chicago house especially for me. I open the door and immediately recognize him. I jump into his arms, simultaneously crying and laughing. I wake up, the empty feeling has passed and I know that he will never come. But I can’t help romanticizing the first time we meet.

However, going on eighteen, reality is soon catching up with me. Four years ago at the age of eighteen my brother, Armond, travelled to Morocco to meet him. Last year my sister, Sasha, did the same. So now, it is my turn; my own rite of passage awaits me. I have been waiting for this opportunity my whole life, even imagined it ten times over. But the more I thought about it, the more I doubted it. As the youngest in the family, I have striven to emulate my siblings in many ways. I could feel the assumption that I would go to meet him just as they did. However, I know that I am not yet ready. Unlike Sasha and Armond, my memories of Rabat are just a haze. I do not know whether they are real, or dreams or stories I have been told. I don’t understand any Arabic, and his English is very broken. And most of all, I cannot remember his face. The emptiness still comes back every now and then. But I know that the hole is not father-shaped, and if I meet him now, he might think it is. What I need to do first is to find out who I am before I can know what shape that hole really is. And when I know, I will understand what it would mean to meet him. For now at least, that tired old home stays suspended; a three-dimensional snapshot of my forgotten childhood. I like to think it’s waiting for me; waiting for when I’m ready to go back.

You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Topic C stands opposed to Topics A and B in that it is almost entirely oriented towards the future. While each of your essays should demonstrate a degree of imagination, this prompt also carries the most overt call for creativity. There are two main genres of responses to prompts like this. The first genre adds to the forecasting effort found throughout your whole application. The second represents a creative departure from the path of your ambitions.

Choosing a Genre:

Forecasting is what you do when you make promises or predictions about what you’ll do with an educational opportunity. You’re forecasting when you tell UT Austin that you want to attend their engineering program in order to realize your dream of developing clean, public transportation. You’re forecasting when you draw conclusions from your past accomplishments to predict your future success. The act of applying to a school is inherently future-oriented. That being said, good applications demand cohesion and balance. An application that is too future-oriented will leave the admissions officers wondering who exactly you are . An application that is too auto-ethnographic will leave them wondering about your ambitions .

A forecast oriented answer to topic C will likely link-up with other parts of your application. For example, the engineering student from the example above might write that they’re holding a ticket for the very first 100% green, interstate transportation system—a system that they’ve spent the past 15 years building from the ground up. In this case, the essay looks back from a future point in which the student has fulfilled the ambitions they forecasted. It’s also possible to write this essay looking forward. Students that hope to attend medical school or law school might write about holding a “ticket” to their tertiary degree. These essays would go on to imagine the important, transformative work that those students would accomplish when they get to medical/law school.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic C:

I’m holding a flyer that declares the date and time—this coming Tuesday at 7:30 PM—for a meeting of the Low Carbon Emissions Workers’ Union. Twelve years ago, when I started my undergraduate degree in public policy, the union was only a flicker of a thought, housed somewhere in the back of my mind. Still, those years were crucial. With every class I took, whether in policy studies, environmental science, or history, that flicker grew stronger. Following my interest in labor, I developed a rapport with the university employees that kept things rolling on campus—the people that took care of us, really. For my senior thesis, I made it my mission to collect and present an oral history of labor on campus. Many university workers expressed a sense of relief at being employed by the university. It allowed for decent wages and preserved the dignity of it’s workforce through open dialogue and worker representation. Through this sense of relief—or rather, through its negative—my thesis became invested in the alternatives for these laborers, in what lay on the other side of their relief. Though they were specifically skilled in care work, janitorial work, landscaping, and more, most of them told me that outside the university there was little opportunity for the advancement of worker’s interests. Finding work on a free-lance basis or through predatory placement companies, these care-laborers were largely on their own.

After graduating, I stayed in touch with my contacts at the university. Throughout law school, I made time to continue coordinating with them. We were hatching a revolutionary idea. Our goal was to create a union that could unite the various forms of under-the-radar care-work that was so often left out of organized bargaining units. The plan that we finally realized was even bigger than that. Not only would it unite domestic workers, janitors, and landscapers, its umbrella would extend to cover teachers, day-care supervisors, nurses, artists, and agricultural workers. This was the Low Carbon Emissions Workers’ Union. While it contained specifically oriented compartments, each aimed at advancing the rights of a particular sub-group of laborers, its superstructure was perhaps the more significant. In the same way that my senior thesis became invested in its negative all those years ago, this union stood as a foil to the socially and environmentally destructive tendencies of so many economic giants. We mobilized and housed research regarding Green-GDP, environmentally adjusted Gini coefficients, and other methods aimed at illuminating the real cost of having an economy predicated on environmental exploitation. As a political and intellectual force, the union gained ground in reevaluating the ways in which we value certain kinds of labor over others.

I’m smiling as I tack the flyer to the community board at my old university. I step back to look at it. “I can’t believe this is where it all started,” I think to myself. “Well, see you all this Tuesday.”

The genre of creative departure allows you to focus more on your personality, imagination, and capacity for critical thought. If you feel that your application already does enough to forecast your ambitions, you may opt to write about something completely unrelated. Especially for students applying to creative programs such as theatre or studio art, this can be a good moment to demonstrate your fit. Students who pick this genre can write about almost literally anything. The ticket in your hand could be for a time-machine to the Renaissance, a one-way expedition to Mars, or a mysterious back-alley puppet show. The important thing is that you use the premise of your essay to reflect on the world in a mature and thoughtful manner.

Here’s another Example Essay for Topic C:

“Take a number” buzzes an automated voice from somewhere inside the ticket booth. I reach out and tear off a slip of blue paper. 96. “Great,” I snort, “might as well settle in for the long haul.”

Someone behind me notices my annoyance and pipes up.

“I know right? I’ve never seen the time machines so crowded in my life.”

“Me neither,” I respond, “application season I guess.”

“Must be. Damn ticket prompts.”

I turn around to address my queue-compatriot. He’s a tall guy, pretty built for our age—probably a football player or something. He looks anxiously down the line, craning his neck to see something or someone just out of view.

“What’s got your nerves up?” I ask, “where are you headed?”

“You know,” he shrugged, “the usual. Off to 1904 to encourage Hitler to pursue his passion for painting. I’m just worried she’s gonna get there first.” I stepped out of line to see where he was looking. Fourth in line was a girl decked out in all black, determination etched into her features.

“Is she carrying a rail-gun?” I ask, stepping back into line. Football nods. “Yeesh…that’s a bit extreme but to each their own I guess. Wonder how the AdComms are gonna feel about that.”

Football fidgets for a few minutes before asking, “And you? What’s your plan?”

“Way back. Off to the early fifth-century to help Pelagius argue against St. Augustine.”

“Pelagius. He was an early theologian that rallied against Augustine’s notion of original sin.”

Football nods. “So all that with Eve and the apple, yeah?”

“Exactly. The doctrine of original sin says that because Adam and Eve had the apple, every human from then on was infected with their sin. That’s one of the reasons babies are baptized, to cleanse them. It’s behind a whole host of other things too. All the indulgences that people paid into the church, our long-standing association of sexuality with guilt and impurity, not to mention most of the pessimistic philosophies surrounding human depravity.”

Football chuckles. “So let’s say you win” he proposes, “then what? Babies don’t get baptized? There are still nineteen people ahead of us. You might want to change plans.”

My brow furrows a bit as I consider his suggestion. “I don’t know,” I say, “Pelagius argued for a whole lot of things. He was a big proponent of free will and accountability. He thought we should do good for the sake of good, not for salvation. He even countered a lot of hang-ups that endure to this day—bedroom stuff, bathroom stuff, all of it. Where Augustine saw sin and depravity, Pelagius saw beauty and Grace.” I continue. “I mean, I’m not even religious. I just think we could use a sort of ‘reset’ for our collective psyche. People are too caught up in hating themselves. We’re subconsciously misanthropic and it hurts. It hurts when a corporation takes advantage of a mining community because profit is the only legitimate motive in a world that seems like a lost cause. It hurts all the young people who hate their bodies and strive for an unrealistic ‘cleanliness’ from deformity and irregularity. It hurts women who get told they’ll be ‘second-hand stock’ if they have sex before marriage. It hurts when the police open fire in a neighborhood because they’re scared a kid might do it first.”

“Yeah” he nods, “hey, do you mind if I tag along? Mine might be a lost cause anyways—that girl was scary.”

Just then my number comes up on the time machine’s display. I look up at Football. “Sure. Why not. Oh, and I don’t think I caught your name.”

“It’s Bryan.”

“Well Bryan, we’re off.”

(Please Note: The essay in this section is specific to certain college majors and is not required by all colleges/universities that accept the Apply Texas Application. If you are not applying for a major in Architecture, Art, Art History, Design, Studio Art, Visual Art Studies/Art Education, you are not required to write this essay.)

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education), describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space affected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?”

Topic D is a situational prompt for students looking to engage with art, design, and image. Unlike topics A and B, topic D is specifically asking you to tell a story. Regardless of the mode of narrative you employ, your essay should start with a moment of confrontation, observation, and reaction. Whether you engage with a piece of art or a lecture from design class, this step is crucial. It is here that you will demonstrate your ability to sift through your feelings about art, pulling out the concrete variables and specific vocabularies to describe why the art made you feel that way in the first place. It’s unsurprising that the prompt is so intent on drawing this out from you—understanding how art has impacted you is the first step towards creating art to impact others.

The second part of this process should move you beyond the moment of interaction detailed in step one, either to the present or the future. In this section, you’ll want to set your compass, so to speak. Using the lessons from part one, you should forecast the ways in which your future ambitions will be uniquely impactful. This can include anything from aperture to allegory. Whether technical or philosophical, your art is largely a product of your inspiration—being able to trace and predict this link demonstrates your maturity as a budding artist or designer.

Here’s an Example Essay for Topic D:

Standing in the Musée de l’Orangerie, surrounded on all sides by Monet’s Water Lilies, I felt myself melt away. The noise of the room seemed to dim, even as my perception heightened. I was somewhere else. The water lilies had swallowed me whole. They were beautiful, certainly, but also tense. One of the lesser-known iterations, flush with the purples, golds, and oranges of autumn, reminded me of the fluttering dance of falling leaves. And yet, its leaves were static—not because they weren’t real; they were real to me in that moment—but because of the water’s tension. Tethered to the surface of the pond, equally unable to float up or down, the leaves were trapped in a planar prison. The painting was practically bursting with the energy of an infinite autumn, but the water held it all together with its sticky buoyancy. Surface tension is far crueler than gravity, I thought to myself. My throat tightened and I felt paralyzed, peacefully imprisoned along with the lilies and leaves.

“Huh.” My brother stepped up beside me. “Look, you can see the canvas poking through,” he whispered, nudging me. He was right. As my eyes latched onto those bare fibers I felt a gust of release; I was back in the room.

To this day, that remains one of my most intense experiences with art. While it wasn’t exactly euphoric, it was transformative. Spanning the whole wall, the water lilies are all you can see; they colonize your reality. It was that quality—the quality of transportation out of time and space—that has stayed with me most. Monet’s techniques, brushstrokes that infuse the canvas with texture and momentum, allowed for a sort of virtual reality. VR before VR. It was the power of that experience that prompted me to combine my art with contemporary VR techniques. My first VR project pays homage to the water lilies. Putting on the headset, you find yourself in a blue green film, replete with flowers of every kind. It’s peaceful but when you try to move you find that the further you stray, the slower you get. A few feet out and you’re snapped back to the start. The piece explores movement and energy through anxiety and ensnarement.

As I continue my education in fine art, I’m primed to explore the range of possibilities allowed by VR technology. I’m eager to create landscape experiences that more directly implicate art and embodiment. My current project also takes inspiration from Monet’s impressionism. Entering the reality, one finds oneself on the top of flower-freckled hillside, umbrella in hand despite the blue skies. It is windy and the grasses sway around you. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, you begin to blow away, to disperse, until there’s nothing left. The viewer is utterly gone, yet utterly present.

Want to learn more about how to write the ApplyTexas essays? Check out one of our popular recorded live streams on this topic.

Where to Get Your ApplyTexas Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your ApplyTexas essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

College applications require a lot of hard work and dedication. At times, it can feel difficult to stay organized during the application process. Especially if you have a sizable college list. Between writing a successful college essay and chronicling your various extracurricular activities , there are a lot of application sections to focus on. And that doesn’t even take supplemental essays into account! 

Knowing how to find the right college for you often requires a lot of research. That said, referring to a list of colleges without supplemental essays can be a great way to add to your college list. Especially if you don’t have time to write more essays. Ultimately, this is why having a list of colleges with no supplemental essays can be such a helpful tool. 

In this article, we review over 40 colleges that don’t require supplemental essays. Again, these colleges can serve as great last-minute additions to your college list!

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Northeast: colleges without supplemental essays

Let’s take a look at some of the best colleges without supplemental essays. As you go through this list, research the universities without supplemental essays that most stand out to you. And remember, there are lots of top colleges without supplemental essays!

Midwest: colleges without supplemental essays

Alternatively, if you’re interested in attending college in the midwest and are still wondering what colleges don’t require supplemental essays? consider some of these competitive colleges without supplemental essays.

South: colleges without supplemental essays

Still wondering what colleges don’t have supplemental essays? Take a look at some of these good colleges without supplemental essays located in the south. 

Deciding on your list of colleges

As you assemble your college list, you’ll likely want to research the differences between colleges and universities . You’ll also want to consider questions such as: Do you prefer urban or rural settings? Smaller or larger classes? etc. During your initial college research, you might also want to consider some of the ​​ top public universities in the West , as well as liberal arts colleges in the East . 

Ultimately, you’ll come up with a list of preferences, as well as other criteria, that will help you decide which colleges you want to apply to. It’s important to use these same standards when deciding which colleges without supplements you should add to your college list. In other words, although it may be easier to apply to schools that don’t require supplemental essays, you should always research each college thoroughly before choosing to apply. 

Key takeaways and moving forward

Colleges without supplemental requirements can make excellent additions to your college list. In fact, purposefully selecting several colleges without supplemental essays can help you save time and stay organized during the college application process . After all, it takes a lot of work to put together a strong college application. Writing your personal statement, asking for letters of recommendation , preparing scholarship essays , and continuing to engage in your extracurricular activities are all incredibly time-consuming. That said, if you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance while you work on your college applications, reach out to learn more about our services .

• January 13, 2023

40+ Colleges That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays

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30 August 2023

Common App Schools That Don't Require Extra Essays (2023-24)

Posted in Your College List , Class of 2028

The list includes schools that simply require the base essay (e.g. personal statement). Keep in mind that many of these schools may have "optional" prompts which you might want to complete anyway to strengthen your application.  

If you're a student or parent with a College Kickstart Plus or Premium subscription, this information is already available to you as part of our key application requirements view.

Click on Continue Reading for the list.

Common App Schools with No Extra Essays (Class of 2028 Edition)

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, complete list: colleges with no application fee (updated).

College Admissions

Trying to save money on college applications? Good news! There are actually quite a few colleges that allow you to apply for free. In this article, I'll provide some general information about application fees along with a comprehensive list of all the schools that offer free applications.

Application Fees at a Glance

Most colleges charge application fees in the $50-60 range , but they can sometimes be as high as $90 (looking at you, Stanford). Many top schools charge application fees of $75 or more.

To put this in context, suppose you are applying to five different schools. If three have $50 application fees and two have $75 application fees, you'll be spending $300 on applications alone. (And that doesn't include the cost of any ACT or SAT scores you might send as well.) That's not small change for most people, so application fees are something you might take into account in your college search process.

Fortunately, many schools, even ones that have very high application fees, offer waivers to students with financial need. In order to be eligible for a fee waiver, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You were provided with a fee waiver to take the SAT or ACT
• You are enrolled in a Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program
• Your family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• You're enrolled in a federal, state or local program that aids students from low-income families
• Your family receives public assistance
• You live in federally subsidized housing or a foster home

You can request a fee waiver form here. Once you fill out the form, your guidance counselor has to sign it, and then you should mail it to the admissions office of the college you have selected. Alternatively, if you want to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in application fees or going through the process of obtaining a fee waiver, you should consider applying to some of the schools with free applications that are listed in this article.

Making Smart Choices With Application Fees

If your dream school has a $75 application fee and you're considering not applying because of the cost, you need to consider the costs versus the long term benefits. Compared to the total cost of attending college, that fee is a drop in the bucket. Over the course of four years, if you plan on attending a private college, you'll end up paying close to $200,000 on average in total cost. Even for public schools the price tag will be close to $100,000. The fee is a very small part of the overall expenses that come along with attending college.

Don't sacrifice the opportunity to attend a school that's a perfect fit for you because of an application fee. You'll most likely end up regretting your decision later. Similarly, you should try not to choose schools that don't fit what you're looking for just because they have lower application fees. If you check out some of the no fee schools that I've listed and find that you really like them, then it's a win-win, but don't let it influence you too much if there are other fee-charging schools that you think you will really love!

Colleges That Don't Require Application Fees (By State)

Here is our complete and updated list of colleges that don't require an application fee. (Note that some schools may require a fee for paper applications.)

Auburn University at Montgomery

Huntingdon College

Miles College

Spring Hill College

Alaska Pacific University

Grand Canyon University

Williams Baptist College

Arkansas Tech University

Henderson State University

Hendrix College

Southern Arkansas University

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

California College San Diego

Deep Springs College

Dominican University of California

Holy Names University  

Laguna College of the Arts

La Sierra University

Northwest College

Notre Dame de Namur University

Pacific Union College

University of the Pacific

Thomas Aquinas College

Colorado College

Colorado Mountain College

Johnson & Wales University - Denver

Regis University

US Air Force Academy

Connecticut

US Coast Guard Academy

University of Hartford (fee waived only if you apply by November 15)

Mitchell College  

University of Saint Joseph  

Ave Maria University

Florida Gateway College

Florida Institute of Technology

Indian River State College

Johnson & Wales University - North Miami

Polk State College

Saint Leo University

Santa Fe College

Agnes Scott College

Berry College

Brenau University

Oglethorpe University

Piedmont College

Savannah State University

Wesleyan College  

College of Southern Idaho  

College of Idaho

Augustana College

Aurora University

Bradley University

Elmhurst College

Eureka College

Greenville College

Illinois College

Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Wesleyan University

Lake Forest College

Loyola University Chicago

McKendree University

Millikin University

Monmouth College

Rockford University

Saint Augustine College

University of St. Francis

Anderson University

Butler University

Calumet College of St. Joseph

DePauw University

Earlham College

Franklin College

Grace College  

Hanover College

Holy Cross College

Indiana Wesleyan University

Manchester University

Purdue University-North Central

St. Mary's College

Trine University

University of Evansville

University of Indianapolis

Valparaiso University

Buena Vista University

Central College

Coe College

Cornell College  

Drake University

Graceland University

Grand View University

Grinnell College

Iowa Wesleyan College

Loras College

Luther College

Morningside College

Mount Mercy University

Northwestern College

Simpson College

St. Ambrose University

Upper Iowa University

Wartburg College

Baker University

Barclay College

Bethany College

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Sterling College

Alice Lloyd College

Asbury University

Berea College

Centre College

Lindsey Wilson College

University of Pikeville

Thomas More College

Transylvania University

Centenary College

Loyola University New Orleans

Tulane University

Colby College

College of the Atlantic

St. Joseph's College

Unity College

Capitol Technology University  

Hood College

St. John's College

Stevenson University  

US Naval Academy

Washington Adventist University

Massachusetts

Bay Path College

Eastern Nazarene College

Emmanuel College

Fisher College

Hampshire College

Lasell College

Lesley University

MCPHS University

Merrimack College

Mount Holyoke College

Nichols College

Simmons College

Smith College

Wellesley College

Adrian College

Albion College

Alma College

Aquinas College

Calvin College

Concordia University

University of Detroit Mercy

Ferris State University

Finlandia University

Hillsdale College

Kalamazoo College

Kettering University

Madonna University

Michigan Technological University

Northwood University

Oakland University

Olivet College

Siena Heights University

Augsburg College

Bethany Lutheran College

Bethel University

Carleton College

College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University

Concordia College

Gustavus Adolphus College

Hamline University

Metropolitan State University

Saint John's University

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

St. Catherine University

St. Olaf College

College of St. Scholastica

University of St. Thomas

Mississippi

Alcorn State University

Jackson State University

Millsaps College

Mississippi University for Women

Mississippi Valley State University

Rust College

Avila University

College of the Ozarks

Culver-Stockton College

Drury University

Fontbonne University

Maryville University of St. Louis

Northwest Missouri State University

Ranken Technical College

Rockhurst University

Saint Louis University

Stephens College

Truman State University

Westminster College

William Jewell College

William Woods University

Carroll College  

University of Great Falls

Salish Kootenai College

Chadron State College

Concordia University-Nebraska

Creighton University

Doane College-Crete

Hastings College

Midland University

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Peru State College

Union College

Wayne State College

Sierra Nevada College

New Hampshire

Colby-Sawyer College  

Granite State College

New England College

Saint Peter's University

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus

Navajo Technical University

Northern New Mexico College

Canisius College

Cazenovia College

Clarkson University  

Colgate University (free for non-US citizens only)

D'Youville College

Daemen College  

Davis College

Hartwick College

Hilbert College

Hobart & William Smith Colleges

Keuka College

Le Moyne College  

Medaille College

College of Mount Saint Vincent

Mount Saint Mary College

Nazareth College

Niagara University

Roberts Wesleyan College

Sage College of Albany

St. Bonaventure University

St. John's University

College of New Rochelle/Mercy College

College of St. Rose

Touro College

US Merchant Marine Academy

US Military Academy (West Point)

North Carolina

Barton College

Belmont Abbey College

Catawba College

Guilford College

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

University of Mount Olive

Queens University of Charlotte

Warren Wilson College

North Dakota

University of Jamestown

Ashland University

Baldwin Wallace University

Chatfield College  

College of Wooster

University of Dayton

Defiance College  

Denison University  

University of Findlay

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Franklin University

Hiram College

John Carroll University

Kenyon College

Lake Erie College

University of Mount Union

Notre Dame College

Oberlin College

Ohio Northern University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Shawnee State University

University of Rio Grande

Ursuline College

Wilmington College

Wittenberg University

Xavier University

Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Lewis & Clark College

Linfield College-McMinnville Campus

Reed College

Pennsylvania

Albright College

Allegheny College

Arcadia University

Bryn Mawr College  

Carlow University  

Cedar Crest College  

Central Pennsylvania College

Chatham University

Delaware Valley College

Duquesne University

Elizabethtown College  

Gannon University  

Gwynedd Mercy University  

Immaculata University

Juniata College

King's College  

La Roche College

La Salle University

Lebanon Valley College

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Lycoming College

Marywood University  

Mercyhurst University

Moravian College

Neumann University

Point Park University

Robert Morris University

Rosemont College

Saint Francis University

University of Scranton

Susquehanna University

Ursinus College

Washington & Jefferson College  

Wilson College

Rhode Island

Johnson & Wales University - Providence

South Carolina

Allen University

Coker College

Columbia College

Converse College

Limestone College

Presbyterian College

South Dakota

University of Sioux Falls

Freed-Hardeman University

Lane College

Maryville College

Rhodes College

Sewanee: The University of the South

Tusculum College

Austin College

Baylor University

Hardin-Simmons University

Houston Baptist University

Howard Payne University

LeTourneau University

Saint Edward's University (fee waived for those who apply by Dec. 1)

Southwestern Adventist University

Southwestern University

St. Mary's University

Texas A&M International University

University of St. Thomas - Texas

University of Houston-Victoria

University of Texas-El Paso

University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

Texas Wesleyan University

Trinity University

Champlain College

Averett University

Bridgewater College

Christendom College  

Emory & Henry College

Hampden-Sydney College  

Hollins University

Liberty University

Lynchburg College  

Randolph-Macon College

Randolph College

Roanoke College

Sweet Briar College

Olympic College

Pacific Lutheran University

Saint Martin's University

Whitworth University

West Virginia

Alderson Broaddus University

Bluefield State College

Concord University

Davis & Elkins College

West Liberty University

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Wheeling Jesuit University

Alverno College

Beloit College

Cardinal Stritch University

Carroll University

Lakeland College

Marquette University

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Mount Mary University

Northland College

St. Norbert College

Wisconsin Lutheran College

What's Next?

The Common Application makes it easy to apply to a bunch of different schools through a single online platform. Find out which colleges use it.

Are you worried about standardized tests and their role in your college application? Read this article to find out when these tests might not matter for you. Also take a look at this list of colleges that don't require SAT scores.

Everyone knows about the really selective colleges, but what are some colleges that are actually easy to get into? Find out here.

Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar.

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Colleges that Don't Require Supplemental Essays

Padya Paramita

May 9, 2022

As you prepare for the college admissions cycle, you might be tempted to add schools to your list that require less work than others. While some schools like Yale have over five supplemental essays, there are colleges that have none! So, we offer you a list of colleges that don’t require supplemental essays . Although most colleges definitely want to see students answer school-specific prompts to determine fit, there are several top colleges that don’t require supplemental essays , including Williams, Middlebury, and Northeastern. Take a look at the full list below.

Liberal Arts Colleges that Don’t Require Supplemental Essays

• Albion College
• Allegheny College
• Bates College
• Beloit College
• Coe College
• Colby College
• Colgate University
• College of the Holy Cross
• Connecticut College 
• Denison University
• DePauw University 
• Dickinson University
• Drew University
• Franklin and Marshall College
• Furman University
• Gettysburg College 
• Goucher College
• Grinnell College
• Hamilton College
• Hanover College
• Hollins University
• Hope College
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Juniata College
• Kenyon College
• Middlebury College
• Muhlenberg College
• New College of Florida 
• Oberlin College
• Rhodes College
• Ripon College
• Sewanee—University of the South
• Siena College 
• Skidmore College
• Spelman College
• St. John’s College (essay optional except for Pharmacy program)
• St. Lawrence University
• Susquehanna University 
• Thomas Aquinas College
• Union College
• Ursinus College
• Wesleyan University (there are essays only for international students)
• Whitman College
• Willamette University
• Williams College

National Universities That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays

• Binghamton University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Clark University
• Clemson University
• DePaul University
• Drexel University
• Florida State University 
• Gonzaga University
• Miami University—Oxford
• Michigan State University
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Northeastern University
• Ohio State University
• Purdue University
• Seton Hall University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Stony Brook University  (Honors College has essay requirement)
• SUNY Buffalo
• Temple University
• Tulane University
• University of Alabama
• University of Arkansas
• University of Colorado -Denver
• University of Connecticut
• University of Dayton 
• University of Delaware
• University of Denver
• University of Iowa
• University of Minnesota
• University of Nebraska—Lincoln
• University of New Hampshire 
• University of the Pacific
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of St. Thomas

How to Successfully Apply to Colleges That Don’t Require Supplemental Essays

So, since you don’t have to write essays, how exactly do you convince admissions officers that you’re a strong applicant? You must take advantage of the following components:

• Personal Statement - The personal statement is a common essay that goes to all of the colleges you apply to within one application system—and colleges that don’t require supplemental essays are no exception to this rule. The most common of these are the Common App personal statement prompts. You only have to write about one of the prompts provided by the Common App. The word limit is 650 words, which is a scant number to narrate a powerful story without leaving out too many important details. At the end of the day, you can write about anything, as long as it tells a story unique to you.
• Activities List - When it comes to building a strong extracurricular activities list, it’s important to prioritize your passions, career interests, and ways to establish yourself as a leader. Prestigious colleges want to see tangible achievements and commitment towards activities you enjoy. And if you see a gap in the activities at your school, or find an opportunity to involve a greater community, don’t be afraid to start your own initiative! Once you’ve built your extracurricular profile, make sure you take advantage of the Common App activities list and describe what you did in order of impressiveness.
• Letters of Recommendation - A college recommendation letter is a note from someone who knows you well in an academic or professional setting, highlighting your best qualities and why they recommend you for a position or institution you’re applying for. For most cases, colleges require letters of recommendation from two teachers, one from your guidance counselor, and provide the option of one additional recommendation that could come from a coach or club advisor. They should be written by teachers who know you the best. 

Now that you have an idea of which fall among colleges that don’t require supplemental essays , you can carefully conduct research to make sure you want to apply—and would genuinely be happy there. Don’t just blindly apply to schools just because there are fewer essay requirements. But, these should save you some time in terms of the essay load so take advantage of these if you want to add some targets or safeties as well. Happy searching!

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