colgate university supplemental essays

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Colgate Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

By Eric Eng

When it comes to applying to the top schools in the country, your application is vitally important. In order to give yourself the best chance of gaining admission, you need to make sure all aspects of your application are top-notch. In this post, we’re going to do a deep dive into how to write Colgate supplemental essays and everything you need to keep in mind as you write.

Colgate uses the common app, and this means that you will be asked to answer essay questions contained in the common app . But like many top schools, Colgate also requires that you complete several short essays about your personal or intellectual growth. The Colgate supplemental essays 2022-2023 allow applicants a certain amount of freedom when choosing their supplemental essay topic, but we’re going to look at each essay prompt and discuss the best way to respond to each topic.

So, let’s start by looking at each supplemental essay prompt, and then we will discuss how to approach each one individually.

When it comes to answering the Colgate supplemental essays 2022, there are some things to keep in mind. First, these essays are in addition to the personal statement found in the common app. Second, while Colgate states that applicants can respond to any or all of their three essay prompts, we don’t treat any essays as optional. Your supplemental essays are a valuable way to explain more about who you are and why Colgate should offer you admission. Let’s take a look at all three prompts, and then discuss how to approach them.

Question 1: A great institution is diverse. It brings students of different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and religions to campus. Colgate recognizes this and exposes students to a rich variety of perspectives and backgrounds in their educational and social experiences. Tell us in 150-200 words how you have prepared to immerse yourself in a community such as this or how you look forward to growing as a result of your experience at Colgate.

Question 2: Colgate cultivates a skilled and engaged student body. Through their achievements, our students reflect the University’s reputation as a great place to pursue one’s academic interests. Tell us in 150-200 words about an academic or personal experience that highlights your skill and potential as a Colgate student.

Question 3: The academic community at Colgate is shaped by the unique talents, characters, and personalities of each student. Please finish each sentence in 75 characters or less so we can learn more about you.

I am fascinated by… I want to learn all I can about… My favorite book is… My role model is… In the future, I hope to … One thing I would change is… I wish… I am most challenged by… In 5 years, I…

As you can see, there are a variety of different prompts, and each one asks you to reflect on a different part of yourself as a student and as a person.

How to write the Colgate supplemental essays?

Applicants often wonder how to write a Colgate supplemental essay, but the most important thing to keep in mind is to use your unique voice and be as creative as possible. In their instructions, Colgate says that applicants may answer any or all of the Colgate supplemental essays 2022-2023, however, we suggest responding to all of them. While Colgate says that not responding to the essay prompts will not hurt your chances of admission , we believe that telling your story as thoroughly as possible always gives you an advantage. Let’s look at the first prompt.

At first, this may look like a typical diversity essay, but it actually asks a bit more of you. The Colgate supplemental essay word limit is 200 words, so you will have to plan an efficient and effective essay. In addition to reflecting on your experiences with diversity, you will need to think about how you are mentally preparing for a community that may be more diverse than your own. This may include reading you have done or experiences you have taken part in. It could also include talking to people who come from different backgrounds to gain a better understanding of their culture. Your preparation may have been recent, or it may have been ongoing.

Additionally, you can consider responding to the second part of the prompt that asks you to think about what you are looking forward to by joining a diverse community. What do you hope to learn? What new perspectives are you curious about? How do you feel that this experience will change you?

This prompt allows you to reflect on your intellectual curiosity by detailing an experience that highlights your academic potential. So, what kind of experience are they talking about? First, the essay prompt allows you to discuss either an academic or personal experience. An academic experience may be a project you worked on or studies that went beyond your high school classroom. Did you participate in valuable summer programs or internships that gave you the opportunity to hone and demonstrate your skills?

The prompt also allows you to discuss a personal experience that reflected your skills. Maybe you restored an old car, and the process required you to demonstrate your skill with mechanics. Perhaps you conducted a science experiment in your free time because of your curiosity about a subject. It doesn’t matter what the experience is as long as you can relate it to a skill you have developed or mastered.

If you plan to respond to this prompt, keep in mind that the Colgate supplemental essay word limit for this prompt is 75 characters, not words. This means that your answers need to be clear and concise.

Because these sentences ask you to write a short piece to finish the sentence, the best way to approach this prompt is with creativity. You don’t need to try to impress the admissions staff. They’ve probably heard from many students that their favorite book is Ulysses or the Odyssey, and while these are great works, they don’t necessarily reflect you as an individual.

Maybe your favorite book is something obscure or unexpected. Your role model might be an unlikely choice, and what fascinates you can be literally anything. The key to responding to this prompt is to consider your honest answer to each part without thinking about what the admissions staff “wants to hear.” Mostly they just want to see that you are interesting and creative.

At AdmissionSight, our goal is to help you with every step of the college admissions process. The Colgate supplemental essays 2022 can seem daunting at first, but our experience and expertise will help you navigate the entire process with confidence. Hopefully, this guide to the Colgate supplemental essays 2022-2023 has been helpful, but if you want more information about how AdmissionSight can help you realize your dreams, set up your free consultation today.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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Colgate University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Diversity short response.

On Colgate’s campus, students engage with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, and perspectives during the course of their educational and social experiences. In 200-250 words, please share the benefits you see in engaging with a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff as part of your Colgate experience.

Why This College Short Response

Colgate students immerse themselves in social and intellectual pursuits that inspire them. Tell us in 200-250 words what inspires you and why you want to pursue that at Colgate.

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

Please complete the following so we can learn a bit more about you. Each response should be no more than 13 words.

I am fascinated by…

My favorite book, movie, or television show is…

My role model is…

In the future, I hope to …

One historical figure I would like to meet is…

My favorite food is…

One thing I would change is…

I am most challenged by…

My favorite place is…

I am drawn to Colgate University because…

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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Help me with Colgate supplemental essay!!!!!

Hi everyone, I'm writing Colgate supplement essay and have some confusion about understanding the meaning of this prompt:

"Colgate cultivates a skilled and engaged student body. Through their achievements, our students reflect the University’s reputation as a great place to pursue one’s academic interests . Tell us in 150-200 words about an academic or personal experience that highlights your skill and potential as a Colgate student".

I want to ask that does my answer need to include what resources and opportunities at Colgate help me pursue academic interests later (like "why us" essay) or do I just need to highlight my academic and personal experience to highlight my skill and potential (learning style and curiosity).

I'm so confused with "as a Colgate student", btw there are only 150-200 words so the space is really limited to mention Colgate's resources.

What's your opinion about that prompt?

Colgate Supplemental Essay

<p>Ok so I’m currently working on the supplemental essay for Colgate and I wanted a second opinion on what this means. The essay prompt is:</p>

<p>We honor the many different forms of diversity in our community. Your perspective is valuable because it comes from your life experiences, family background, and culture. Please tell us about yourself and what you believe is the best way to share your perspective. Also, what do you hope to learn from the experiences of others?</p>

<p>The part that says “What you believe is the best way to share your perspective” confuses me because I’m not quite sure what they’re asking.</p>

<p>There is already a question about this posted below.</p>

<p>I’m aware of that…I figured that I should probably put it in the Colgate section</p>

<p>Colgate, colgate, colgate <3 <3 <3 <3</p>

<p>“Share your perspective” means to talk about your perspective on the question. What do you know about it, your feelings, your experiences (not getting toooo personal, of course). Really, this is all just a chance to (a) see how you write and think and (2) who you are a little more personally. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, but just write about your perspective on diversity from your life, background, friends . . . anything. You don’t go to a school where everyone is just like you, and you don’t want to go to a college like that. Right?</p>

How to Get Into Colgate Guide

How to get into colgate university – general information.

Colgate University is a private university located in Hamilton, New York. Colgate was founded in 1819 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,228 students. 

What we’ll cover in this How to Get Into Colgate University guide: 

• The average Colgate University GPA
• Achieving the optimum Colgate University SAT
• Colgate Class of 2025 student profile
• The Colgate acceptance rate
• Meeting the Colgate application deadline
• Acing the Colgate supplemental essays
• Mastering the Colgate interview, and more. 

When thinking about how to get into Colgate University, pay attention to each part of your application. So, as you perfect your “how to get into Colgate University” plan, make sure you maintain a high Colgate University GPA and explore your passions through extracurricular involvements. This will help ensure your credentials reflect those of the admitted students from the Colgate Class of 2025.

Figuring out how to get into Colgate University takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former Admissions Officers) includes graduates from top schools across the country. Want to maximize your Colgate University admission odds? Create your account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272. 

How do I get into Colgate University?

There are many factors to consider as you begin your “how to get into Colgate University” research. This guide will help you compose the strongest application possible well before the Colgate application deadline. 

If you want to know how to get into Colgate, understand that the Colgate acceptance rate is competitive. To maximize your admission odds, start preparing early. Study for standardized tests, choose meaningful extracurricular activities, and strive for a high Colgate University GPA. Start preparing well before the Colgate application deadline.      

Is it hard to get into Colgate University?

According to U.S. News, Colgate University is a more selective school. Colgate University is ranked #10 in Liberal Arts Universities and #48 in Top Colleges of 2021.  

Over 17,000 students applied for the Colgate Class of 2025 . Of those applicants, just over 3,000 students were admitted. The final enrollment for the Colgate Class of 2025 was 913 students. 

There is no minimum Colgate University GPA required for admission. However, the average Colgate University GPA for the Colgate Class of 2025 was 3.77 . The average Colgate University SAT scores ranged from 1370-1500. Even though standardized test scores are listed online for the Colgate Class of 2025, Colgate University SAT scores will remain optional through 2023. 

As you think about how to get into Colgate University, start planning well before the Colgate application deadline. It will take much more than just meeting the average Colgate University GPA and Colgate University SAT scores to stand out. 

What is the average GPA for Colgate University?

There are no official Colgate University GPA requirements. Still, to maximize your admission odds, aim to match or exceed the average Colgate University GPA. The average Colgate University GPA for the Colgate Class of 2025 was 3.77. Therefore, make sure to strive for a high GPA, as the average Colgate University GPA can change each year. 

Colgate University will use your junior year GPA to evaluate your admission odds. So, you will need to choose the right courses and do well in your high school classes. This will give you a better chance of exceeding the average Colgate University GPA. 

Colgate seeks students who demonstrate academic skill, intellectual curiosity, and cultural diversity. So, if your GPA is lower than the average Colgate University GPA, don’t worry. Other parts of your application might make you a competitive applicant. 

Lastly, you might be curious about how to get into Colgate University if you don’t meet the average Colgate University GPA. Check out our article where you’ll find helpful tips to make your application stand out, even if your academic profile doesn’t match the average Colgate University GPA or Colgate University SAT scores. 

What does the Colgate application require?

Each element of your Colgate application is essential to your “how to get into Colgate University” strategy. We advise you to submit all optional Colgate supplemental essays and test scores, as well as complete a Colgate interview, well before the Colgate application deadline. 

There are two dates to remember for the Colgate application deadline. The Early Decision I deadline is November 15 th . The deadline for Early Decision II and Regular Decision is January 15 th . 

Applicants must submit : 

• The Common Application or Coalition Application
• Two teacher recommendations
• Guidance counselor recommendation
• Official high school transcript
• Mid-year grades

Optional application materials include:

• The Colgate supplemental essays
• SAT or ACT scores

Colgate University has made SAT and ACT scores optional for all applicants through 2023. However, if your test scores are comparable to the average Colgate University SAT scores, we strongly advise you to submit them.

The Colgate supplemental essays are also optional. Applicants who do not submit responses to the Colgate supplemental essays will be at no disadvantage. We’ll expand on the Colgate supplemental essays later in this guide. 

To learn more about the Colgate application deadline and admissions process, visit their website . 

Interested in the ideal timeline for college applications? Check out our guide here . 

What extracurriculars does Colgate look for?

Want to know how to get into Colgate University? Start by identifying your interests and passions . Aside from your academics, extracurricular activities make up the rest of your candidate profile. Sp, an essential part of your “how to get into Colgate University” plan must be to build a strong candidate profile. This will set you apart from other applicants. 

Alongside the average Colgate University GPA and Colgate University SAT scores, Colgate wants to see that you have wide-ranging interests. Moreover, these interests should highlight your empathy, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to helping others. So, as you select your extracurriculars, think about the quality of your involvements rather than the quantity. Since the Colgate acceptance rate is so competitive, it’s important to include information that highlights your unique abilities. 

If you need help deciding what extracurricular activities to include on your application, read our guide on tailoring extracurriculars to your college applications. 

What is the acceptance rate at Colgate University?

The Colgate acceptance rate is 17%, and U.S. News categorizes it as “more selective.” It’s important to consider the Colgate acceptance rate as you prepare your “how to get into Colgate University” approach. 

Colgate University received 17,540 applications for the Colgate Class of 2025. Approximately 3,015 students were admitted, and 913 ultimately enrolled. This puts the Colgate acceptance rate at 17% for the Colgate Class of 2025. Find out more about the Colgate Class of 2025 profile here . 

The Colgate acceptance rate is influenced by the total number of applicants and the available space in the freshman class. It is normal for the Colgate acceptance rate to change each year, especially because students are applying to more colleges than ever before . That said, don’t let the Colgate acceptance rate or the Colgate Class of 2025 profile stop you from applying! 

Colgate currently has a test-optional policy. However, we encourage you to take standardized tests if you can. For the Colgate Class of 2025, the average Colgate University SAT score ranged from 1370-1500. The average ACT score ranged from 31-34. 

Plan to take your first standardized test during your junior year. This gives you time to retake the test if necessary. Studying for the test well in advance of the Colgate application deadline can help you earn scores that align with the average Colgate University SAT scores. 

Deciding whether or not to take standardized tests is an important part of the application process. Check out our webinar on preparing for standardized tests. 

Is there a Colgate interview?

As you explore how to get into Colgate University, you might wonder about the Colgate interview process. While the Colgate interview is not required for admission, the Colgate interview is your chance to learn more about the school. 

The Colgate interview is non-evaluative, so you can use the Colgate interview to ask questions and gain valuable insight into what life is like at Colgate. Applicants can choose to schedule a Colgate interview with a current student or alumni. 

Here are some possible topics to discuss in your Colgate interview with a current student: 

• Academic coursework
• Faculty interaction
• Clubs and organizations

If you want to chat with an alum, consider focusing on these topics in your Colgate interview:

• Interests and goals
• Life after Colgate
• How to stay connected

The Colgate interview process currently takes place virtually. However, if you want to meet with a current student, your Colgate interview can be scheduled anytime between June 1 through December 10. If you would rather meet with an alum, book your Colgate interview anytime between September 1 through January 10. 

For more information about the Colgate interview process, visit their website , or watch our video on how to prepare for a college interview. 

What does Colgate look for in essays?

The Colgate supplemental essays are another factor to consider in your “how to get into Colgate University” strategy. To summarize, there are three optional Colgate supplemental essays. Applicants can choose to respond to any or all of the Colgate supplemental essays. However, to submit the strongest possible application, we recommend that you respond to all of the Colgate supplemental essays.

Two of the optional Colgate supplemental essays are limited to a 150-200 word response. The third of the optional Colgate supplemental essays asks applicants to finish each of the sample sentences in 75 characters or fewer. 

Overall, the Colgate supplemental essays are designed to give admission officers a better understanding of who you are, what makes you unique, and what interests you. 

So, be sure to write genuine, thoughtful responses to the Colgate supplemental essays. Include specific examples about why the Colgate community is the right place for you. Additionally, use the sample sentences in the third optional essay to add some insight into your personality, background, interests, and achievements. 

Keep in mind, the deadline to submit the optional Colgate supplemental essays is December 1 st for the Early Decision I Colgate application deadline. In addition, applicants that apply for the Early Decision II or Regular Decision Colgate application deadline have until February 1 st to submit the optional Colgate supplemental essays.  

If your GPA or test scores are just below the average Colgate University GPA or Colgate University SAT scores, your responses to the optional Colgate supplemental essays could help strengthen your application. So, we encourage you to prepare your responses to the Colgate supplemental essays well in advance of the Colgate application deadline. 

To learn more about the Colgate supplemental essays, visit the Colgate admission website . 

How does Colgate review applications?

When considering how to get into Colgate University, many students think about the average Colgate University GPA, Colgate University SAT scores, Colgate acceptance rate, Colgate interview, or profile of the Colgate Class of 2025. Of course, these aspects of the application process are important. However, there are other pieces to consider as you prepare your “how to get into Colgate University” strategy. 

Once the Colgate application deadline has passed, admission officers begin the review process. Colgate looks for students whose interests reflect curiosity, commitment, empathy, and excitement for intellectual pursuits. So, be sure to highlight these qualities in your overall application, Colgate supplemental essays, and Colgate interview. 

As you solidify your “how to get into Colgate University” approach, consider how to best strengthen your academic achievements and extracurricular involvements well before the Colgate application deadline. 

Want to explore more data as you finish your “how to get into Colgate University” research? Visit the Colgate website to read about other criteria used in the application review process. 

Will Colgate review my social media accounts?

In addition, as you examine how to get into Colgate University, you might wonder if your social media presence could affect your application. Rest assured—admissions officers will not analyze your social media profile during the review process. 

However, this doesn’t mean that you can or should post hateful or offensive content on your social media accounts. While these kinds of posts might not directly affect your admission odds, they could directly impact other areas of your life such as job or internship applications.

Above all, we recommend using social media responsibly . Although it isn’t likely that Colgate will check your accounts, there is always a possibility that they will. 

Is Colgate a good school for me?

As you reflect on how to get into Colgate University, it is important to ask whether Colgate is the right place for you. Yes, the Colgate acceptance rate is competitive, and students who attend will certainly benefit from the 9:1 student-faculty ratio. However, this doesn’t mean that Colgate is the place for everyone. 

Academic achievement is an important aspect of Colgate admissions, as evidenced by the average Colgate University GPA and Colgate University SAT scores. All students complete the same core curriculum by the end of their sophomore year. So, as you explore how to get into Colgate University, consider how a Colgate education will enable you to accomplish your personal goals.

In terms of student life, 100% of students are guaranteed campus housing for all four years. Also, there are plenty of opportunities for personal development and academic exploration outside of the classroom, as Colgate offers over 200 clubs and organizations . 

As you think about how to get into Colgate University, ask yourself the following: 

• Am I interested in attending a college with a liberal arts focus? 
• Does Colgate offer the major I want to study? 
• How can Colgate help me achieve my future goals? 

If you decide that Colgate is the right university for you, be sure to submit all materials well before the Colgate application deadline. 

Additional tips to get into Colgate

Build your candidate profile.

As you construct your “how to get into Colgate University” approach, know that Colgate looks for applicants who value intellectual curiosity and have well-developed personal qualities and talents. Pursue your interests and seek out experiences that will strengthen your candidate profile. 

Schedule a Colgate Interview

The Colgate interview is the perfect opportunity to learn more about what life is like at Colgate. Schedule your Colgate interview early, and brush up on some interview techniques beforehand. 

Write compelling responses to the Colgate supplemental essays

Be authentic and genuine as you write your responses to the Colgate supplemental essays. Use the Colgate supplemental essays to share additional information about you that is not covered elsewhere in your application. 

Don’t let the average Colgate University GPA, Colgate University SAT scores, Colgate acceptance rate, or Colgate Class of 2025 profile stop you from applying. Although there is no guarantee that you will be admitted to Colgate, following the tips and advice in this “How to Get into Colgate Guide” will help you prepare the strongest application possible. Good luck!

This guide was written by Claire Babbs , UT Austin ’12. If you want to know how to get into Colgate University, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from top schools across the country. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Colgate University 2017-18 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

Colgate University 2017-18 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements:  1 essay of 250 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s):  Oddball ,  Community

The Colgate supplement is a feast of options! With four rather different prompts, there should be something for everyone. The trick to choosing the right one? Follow your gut, and aim to answer a prompt that will allow you to reveal something that doesn’t appear anywhere else on your application.

In addition to your personal statement, Colgate requires a supplemental short-answer essay. Please respond, in 250 words or less, to one of the following prompts:

The mission statement for colgate university sets forth 13 goals for a colgate education. one goal for colgate students is listed as: be engaged citizens and strive for a just society: embrace the responsibilities to local, national, and global communities; use their influence for the benefit of others. please describe how you would embrace this goal as a colgate student..

Do you enjoy giving back to your community? Do you feel like a global citizen engaged in matters that affect both the few and the many? If so, you’re exactly the kind of student Colgate wants to welcome to campus next fall! In order to show admissions that you fit the bill of an engaged, socially aware, and motivated citizen, tell them about a time when you gave back to your community in a meaningful way. (Hint: your community can be as small as your family or neighborhood and as large as the entire world or even universe!) Hone in on a specific experience and then draw a clear connection to your future at Colgate. If you stick fliers for the local food pantry in neighborhoods nearby to increase monthly donations, look into the kind of local hunger prevention programs Colgate students engage with. Perhaps you pride yourself on being an activist for LGBT communities in intolerant nations or young girls who are not receiving proper education, and hope to conduct meaningful research on this topic while you study abroad. Push beyond the basic gratification that comes with “giving back” and try to envision the impact you’d like to have. Idealists, this question is for you.

Colgate prides itself in tradition. Please describe a religious, cultural, or family tradition you can share with the Colgate community.

This is a great option for applicants who haven’t yet taken the opportunity to describe their background and upbringing in much detail. The traditions you honor say a lot about what you value and the way your community has shaped you. Does your family go Christmas caroling every year even though you’re tone deaf and can never feel your toes? Do you fast from dawn to dusk during the entire month of Ramadan? Maybe you and your siblings made your own tradition to bake pfeffernusse cookies to mark the first day of winter every year. No matter your tradition, when answering this prompt, make sure to emphasize the sense of community you feel by taking part in this tradition – and then share how you will bring this tradition to Colgate’s campus. Maybe you hope to go caroling with The Colgate Thirteen or fast alongside new friends at the Colgate University Muslim Student Association. Perhaps you can teach your dorm floor how to use just the right amount of pepper to bring your pfeffernusse cookies to life. No matter your tradition, think about how you will continue to honor it with Colgate’s community.

We want to get to know you better. What are three words that your best friend would use to describe you and why?

Colgate isn’t the only school that wants to know which words best describe you; Chapman , Stanford , and USC also have similar prompts. The key to nailing this prompt is putting time aside to brainstorm. You might be tempted to write words that belong on your LinkedIn profile, words like hard working, disciplined, determined, organized, dedicated, or overachiever. Think again. The prompt asks which words your best friend would use to describe you, so think about which superlative your friend would nominate you for in the High School yearbook or even ask your friends for their thoughts! Feel free to get creative and choose words that might give admissions better insight into who you are.

Colgate’s core curriculum teaches students empathy, informed debate, and critical thinking. Please tell us what book or piece of literature you believe is important for the entire Colgate Class of 2022 to read. Why?

Admissions wants to know that you are invested in expanding your horizons and educating yourself beyond the classroom. When responding to this prompt, think of a book, poem, or short story that has stuck with you through the testament of time or had a profound impact on the way you think about something. Remember that Colgate is not looking for a book report here, if you want to knock this essay out of the park, your response should be a larger comment on what people, college students, or specifically 18 year old’s need right now. Is it an understanding of global warming? An appreciation for solitude? Knowledge of World War II? As you weigh your options, try not to limit yourself to the titles that you think sound most impressive. This isn’t about telling admissions what they want to hear (or what you think they want to hear), but about revealing a larger truth about who you are. Be honest with yourself about the works that have had the greatest impact on you; the text itself almost matters less than the perspective you bring to it. Reading See Spot Run with an eye towards the rhythms of early childhood literature? A stretch, perhaps, but sure! Why not? Whatever you choose, if you can connect this piece of literature to your other interests or even your future plans, bonus points are available (from the team at CEA anyway)!

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Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

We recommend that most students apply to 8-12 colleges —typically at least two safeties, four targets, and two reaches. This strategy boosts a student’s odds of getting into multiple schools, increases their options, and even offers leverage to negotiate for more financial aid. 

Unfortunately, applying to this many schools is time-intensive, especially considering that many schools require supplemental essays as part of their application. Applying to 10 colleges could mean that you need to write 10-20 extra essays! Luckily, there are many schools that don’t have any extra essays beyond the Common App essay or personal statement, if you’re looking for schools to balance out your list without the additional writing.

Below is a list of 45 liberal arts colleges and universities without essay supplements. The list isn’t comprehensive, but it covers a spectrum of schools of varied selectivity. The list does not include any schools with optional essays, which are something we always encourage applicants to complete. 

Top Liberal Arts Colleges Without a Supplemental Essay Requirement

Update: We removed Grinnell College and Colgate University from this list because they’ve historically sent optional supplements to students after they applied.

Top Research Universities Without a Supplemental Essay Requirement

Should You Only Apply to Schools With No Supplement?

Applying only to schools with no supplement would limit your options severely, so we don’t recommend it. That said, supplements can serve as a litmus test for how much you care about a particular college. If you’re really excited to attend a particular college, you’re more likely not to mind extra application work (after all, it’s a chance to show a college why they should accept you). Conversely, if you’re turned off by writing a supplemental essay, it could indicate that you’re not as excited about a school as you thought you were.

Some essay prompts also give you insight into the personality of a college. For example, the University of Chicago is known for its quirky essay prompts—the 2021-2022 supplement has applicants explore ideas like What if the moon were made of cheese? and What’s so easy about pie? If UChicago’s unorthodox essay prompts make you cringe, it’s a possible sign that the school’s culture isn’t right for you. If they excite and inspire you, you could be a perfect fit.

Overall, a college’s essay requirements should not be a major deciding factor as to whether or not you apply to a school (unless you’re truly short on time). What’s most important is whether or not you will fit with the school academically and socially . Consider things like:

• Do you match the stats for admitted students? 
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• Is the school located somewhere desirable for you? 

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at these Schools?

If you’re trying to round out your school list, it’s important to know whether a particular school is a reach, target, or safety. CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing engine considers factors such as your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities to estimate your odds at hundreds of colleges across the country, along with providing tips to strengthen your profile.

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Michael Nicholson, M.A., D.Phil. (B.A. Manchester) Emeritus Fellow & Dean of Degrees, University College

Mike Nicholson passed away on 9 September 2022.  

The bulk of Nicholson's publications were on Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Varlam Shalamov, with other writings on Dostoevsky, Pil'nyak, D.S. Mirsky and Maurice Baring.  He spent two years as O'Connor Visiting Professor at Colgate University and in 2005 was made an Honorary Professor of Henan University, China.  His current project is a study of Solzhenitsyn's writing in the 1930s to 1950s, and he has translated several of Solzhenitsyn's  writings, most recently the literary film scenario Tanks Know the Truth  (2013).

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Alice Stone Nakhimovsky, Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies and Professor of Russian and Eurasian Studies, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and went through its public schools before entering Cornell University, where she received her AB in 1971 and PhD in 1976. She completed the Advanced course in Yiddish at the YIVO/NYU Summer program in 2007. Her 2014 book, Dear Mendl, Dear Reyzl: Yiddish Letter Manuals in Russia and America (Indiana University Press), written with Roberta Newman, won a 2015 National Jewish Book Award . Repression, Reinvention, and Rugelach: A History of Jews at Colgate (Colgate University Press, 2018) was edited by Alice Nakhimovsky and written by six outstanding students, now mostly graduates: Amy Balmuth, Emily Khan, Cameron Pauly, Kim Ravold, Marit Vangrow, and Dominic Wilkins. A translation with commentary and notes is forthcoming in Fall 2018: Michael Beizer and Alice Nakhimovsky, Daughter of the Shtetl: the Memoirs of Doba-Mera Medvedev (Academic Studies Press). An article, "Assessing Life in the Face of Death: Moral Drama in the 1952 Trial of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee" is forthcoming in East European Jewish Affairs.

Many years ago, as a break from graduate school, Alice Nakhimovsky went to study in Leningrad and eventually married there. While she started her career writing on the Russian absurdists Kharms and Vvedensky, the subject of her dissertation and first book, she became more interested in Russian-Jewish issues and has come to specialize in that. She wrote a number of books and essays on Russian-Jewish literature (most significantly Russian Jewish Literature and Identity , Johns Hopkins, 1992), collaborated on a set of Russian language textbooks, and, together with her husband Alexander, put together a book of photographs by the eminent Russian photojournalist Evgeny Khaldei ( Witness to History: The Photographs of Evgeny Khaldei , Aperture, 1997).

She is especially proud of her six years of work on the editorial board of the YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe (Yale University Press, 2008). The Encyclopedia is now online. The Forward ran a  review of the book (April 11, 2008); another review ran in the LA Times in July 2008.

From 2006-8, Alice Nakhimovsky collaborated with colleagues Nancy Ries of Colgate, Slava Paperno of Cornell, and Ilya Utekhin of the European University, St. Petersburg (Russia) on a virtual museum about the Soviet communal apartment ( kommunalka ) in its multifarious aspects. The project was funded by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Please visit our museum .

Some other publications on Jewish perception and behavior include essays on Il'ia Il'f (in Enemies of the People, Northwestern, 2002), Mikhail Zhvanetskii (in Forging of Modern Jewish Identities , Valentine-Mitchell, 2002), and Jewish food and behavior ("The Fugitive World of Russian-Jewish Cooking," in Food and Judaism , Creighton University Press, 2005; "You Are What They Ate: Russian Jews Revisit Their Past," Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies , Fall 2006; "Doch’ki Tev’e: chto oni eli i chto eto znachit," Istoriia i kul'tura rossiiskogo i vostochnoevreiskogo evreistva: Novye istochniki, novye podkhody , ed. O. V. Budnitsky, Moscow: Dom evreiskoi knigi, 2006; "Writing Obituaries and Declaring Life: Jewish self-assertion in a New York Russian-language newspaper,” Jewish Literature and History (University of Maryland, 2007). A little article on the writer Abraham Cahan is "Ab. Kahans esik," Forverts , 20 April 2007, p. 5. Her translation (with an introduction) of Grisha Bruskin’s memoir Past Imperfect came out in May 2008, with Syracuse University Press.

The subject of Dear Mendl, Dear Reyzl: Yiddish letter manuals in Russia and America is worth another word. Letter manuals were popular educational tools that provided templates for all sorts of correspondence, ranging from business — which Yiddish writing invested with over-the-top emotionality — to family life (also high-decibel) and courtship. Vox Tablet did a podcast on the book; Nakhimovsky and Newman had a "book launch west" at the University of California, Berkeley and the Magnes Museum, in April 2014,  and had a "book launch east" at YIVO in June 2014. Two short pieces about these fascinating little books can be checked out online are the " brivnshteler " essay at the Encyclopedia website, and an essay called " Free America, " published in the journal American Jewish Archives , about American letter-writers in particular.

At Colgate, Professor Nakhimovsky teaches a variety of literature courses in Jewish Studies, as well as Russian language and twentieth-century Russian literature. When not writing, cooking, or teaching, she is usually practicing piano. She loves to play music, cook, and in general hang out with her her family, both the grownups Isaac Nakhimovsky and Chitra Ramalingam, Sharon Nakhimovsky and Evan Nathan-Herring, and the not-so-grownup (Maya and Ashwin Nakhimovsky and Dina Nathan).

BA (1971), PhD (1976), Cornell University

Russian and European 19th- and 20th-century literature, Russian-Jewish literature and everyday life

Russian-Jewish literature, 20th-century Russian literature, Russian- and early 20th-century American-Jewish everyday life

• " Assessing Life in the Face of Death: Moral Drama in the 1952 trial of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee," East-European Jewish Affairs, 2018.
• Daughter of the Shtetl: the Memoirs of Doba-Mera Medvedeva ( with Michael Beizer; Academic Studies Press, 2018)
• Repression, Reinvention, and Rugelach: A History of Jews at Colgate ; edited by Alice Nakhimovsky and written by Amy Balmuth, Emily Khan, Cameron Pauly, Kim Ravold, Marit Vanderow, and Dominic Wilkins (Colgate University Press, 2018)
• Dear Mendl, Dear Reyzl: Yiddish Letter Manuals in Russia and America (with Roberta Newman; Indiana University Press, 2014)
• Translation of Grisha Bruskin, Past Imperfect (Syracuse University Press, Fall 2008)
• Witness to History: The Photographs of Yergeny Khaldei (with A.D. Nakhimovsky) (Aperture, 1997)
• Russian-Jewish Literature and Identity (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992)
• Laughter in the Void: An Introduction to the Writing of Daniil Kharms and Alexander Vvedenskii (Wiener Slawistischer Alamanach, 1982)
• Beginning Russian (1981, 1982, 1991)
• Intermediate Russian (1985)
• The Semiotics of Russian Culture , ed. (1985)
• “A Paper Life: model letters and real letters as a key to Russian-Jewish aspirations at the turn of the twentieth century,” with Roberta Newman, Borderlands: Daily Life, Violence and Memory in East European Jewish History (Academic Press: forthcoming, 2010)
• “'Free America’: Glimpses of Jewish Immigrant Life in the Pages of American brivnshtelers,” with Roberta Newman,” American Jewish Archives , volume LXI No. 2, 2009, pp. 73-98.
• “Communal Living in Russia: A Virtual Museum of Everyday Life” http://kommunalka.colgate.edu/. With Nancy Ries (Colgate University, the co-principal investigator), Slava Paperno (Cornell University) and Ilya Utekhin (European University, St. Petersburg, Russia).
• Major essay on Russian Literature (8000 words) and articles on Il’ia Il’f and Evgenii Khaldei, YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe , Yale University Press, 2008; further articles on Boris Efimov (1500 words) and brivenshtelers (with Roberta Newman, 1500 words) for the online edition, 2010.
• “The Moral Vision of the Russian-Yiddish-American writer Abraham Cahan,” East European Jewish Affairs , 2008
• “Ab. Kahans esik,” Forverts , 20 April 2007, p. 5
• “Doch’ki Tev’e: chto oni eli i chto eto znachit”, Istoriia i kul'tura rossiiskogo i vostochnoevreiskogo evreistva: Novye istochniki, novye podkhody, ed. O. V.Budnitsky, Moscow: Dom evreiskoi knigi, 2006.
• “Writing Obituaries and Declaring Life: Jewish self-assertion in a New York Russian-language newspaper,” Jewish Literature and History (University of Maryland, 2007)
• “You Are What They Ate: Russian Jews Revisit Their Past,” Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies , Fall 2006
• “Public and Private in the Kitchen: Eating Jewish in the Soviet State,” Jewish Food: Proceedings of the 14th Annual Klutznik Symposium in Jewish Civilization , Creighton University Press, 2005
• “Mikhail Zhvanetsky: The Last Jewish Joker,” Forging Modern Jewish Identities: Public Faces and Private Struggles , Vallentine-Mitchell, 2002.
• “Death and Disillusion: Il’f in the Thirties,” Enemies of the People , Northwestern University Press, 2002.

Also, articles and reviews in Symposium, Modern Judaism, Revue des etudes slaves, Slavic Review, Slavic and East European Journal, Russian Literature Triquarterly

• National Jewish Book Award  as coauthor of  Dear Mendl, Dear Reyzl: Yiddish Letter Manuals in Russia and America , 2015
• Colgate Senior Faculty Grant, 2010-11
• Faculty Development Grant, 2014, 2013, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998
• NEH $180,000 grant for Teaching and Learning Resources, 2006
• NEH Fellowship for College Teachers, 1995, 1986
• Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, 1988-89