Introduction
For years, applying to selective US universities has meant writing more than just the Common Application personal statement. Students often had to answer several university-specific questions about their interests, goals, experiences, communities and reasons for choosing a particular institution.
That is beginning to change.
A growing number of US universities are reducing or removing supplemental essay requirements, while others are narrowing the number of questions they ask. This shift raises an important question: why are universities changing their approach to supplemental essays, and what does it mean for students applying to US colleges?
Why are universities dropping supplemental essays?
One reason is simple: application burden.
Supplemental essays can take students considerable time, particularly when they are applying to several universities, each with different prompts and word limits. Universities are also asking whether these additional responses provide enough useful information to justify the effort involved in writing and reviewing them.
The University of Georgia, for example, concluded that its Common Application personal essay provided much of the information it needed and that a second essay added limited value to the admissions review. Washington University in St. Louis similarly found that some applicants felt compelled to complete an optional essay even when it repeated information elsewhere in their applications.
There is another factor: generative AI.
The widespread availability of AI writing tools has made it more difficult for admissions teams to determine whether a polished short response genuinely reflects a student’s own voice. Tulane’s dean of admissions specifically cited the rise of generative AI when explaining the decision to remove its “Why Tulane?” essay. However, AI is not the stated reason behind every university’s decision. It is better understood as one factor in a broader reassessment of the role and value of supplemental essays.
Which universities are changing their essay requirements?
In addition to the above, some notable examples include:
- Cornell University: Removed its university-wide community essay for Fall 2027 applicants, while retaining college- and school-specific essay requirements.
- Georgia Tech: Announced on July 29, 2026, that it is removing its supplemental essay for the upcoming application cycle.
- University of Miami: Removed its supplemental essay requirement for the 2026–27 application cycle.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Removed two short-answer questions from its application supplement.
- University of Virginia: Removed its general supplemental essay requirement; programme-specific requirements may still apply.
- Texas Christian University: Previously removed two supplemental essays. The university subsequently saw a significant increase in applications.
This does not mean supplemental essays are disappearing everywhere. Many universities continue to use them, particularly when they want applicants to explain their academic interests, experiences or fit with a particular programme.
Fewer essays do not mean less scrutiny
The shift is not happening uniformly. In a notable contrast, Columbia University has added questions asking international applicants why they want to study in the United States.
At least eight Columbia schools, including all three undergraduate schools, have added admissions questions asking international applicants to explain their reasons for studying in the US. The change follows Columbia’s 2025 settlement with the US government, which included requirements concerning international student admissions and recruitment. The agreement specifically requires Columbia to ensure that international applicants are asked why they wish to study in the United States.
For international applicants, this adds a different dimension to the application. Simply naming a prestigious US university may not be enough. Students should be able to articulate why the US is the right place for their academic goals and how studying there connects to their longer-term plans.
What does this mean for students?
Fewer supplemental essays do not necessarily mean an easier application. When a university removes a school-specific essay, students lose one opportunity to explain why that university or programme is a good fit. Instead, the Common App personal statement, activities list, academic record, recommendations and other parts of the application may have to communicate more of the student’s story.
For students, the takeaway is simple: do not treat the removal of a supplemental essay as a reason to put less thought into the application. If anything, it makes it more important to make the remaining parts of the application authentic, specific and consistent.
Conclusion
The decline of supplemental essays reflects a broader shift in how universities are thinking about the application process. Reducing student workload, improving the efficiency of application review and responding to the challenges created by generative AI are all part of the conversation.
For students applying to US universities, the key is not to worry about having fewer opportunities to write. Instead, focus on making the opportunities that remain count. A strong application should still give universities a clear sense of who you are, what you care about, what you have done and what you hope to do next.
