<p>I am new to this site as of today so this is my first question. I am having trouble identifying what additional essays (other than the main essay on the Common Application) are required from each individual college/university, and what additional essays are recommended. I know most colleges require something else but I cannot locate them (ie having trouble finding the supplemental requirements). Is there a central depository that someone has created that lists the supplemental essays for each college. Is this information obtained through the Common Application website or do you need to go to the specific college website for the supplemental essays. Finally should you always write an essay "why I want to go to X college" even if not required? Sorry for the long question but am struggling here. I know a few colleges don't use the Common Application like MIT so definitely need to go to that specific website. Thanks, Bobby</p>
<p>For the schools where you plan to apply that use the common app, you need to create a common app account, find and add those colleges to your ‘dashboard’. Then the required and recommended additional essays will show up for each school. Many schools do require an essay along the lines of “why this school”, but not all.</p>
<p>Adding to what niceday said, some colleges haven’t put up their essay prompts yet. I know Princeton and Ann Arbor haven’t yet.</p>
<p>If they have, just click on your college in the dashboard and click the link next to “Writing Supplement”. Other than the essays under the page that comes up and the regular common app essay, you do not have any other essay to do.</p>
<p>Thank you - very helpful</p>