<p>Tulane does not require a formal essay, although do have one “personal statement.”</p>
<p>I wd consider personal statement same as essay though.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech’s essays are optional. There are 5 topics given. You can answer 0-3. With admissions very tight it’s better to send an essay. It may not be an elite school, however it is a highly competitive engineering program and large state university. Students whose families used to readily consider oos (Michigan or GaTech) can’t justify the oos tuition in this recession with instate expences around $18k. Demand is up so admissions are tighter. It’s best to send an essay, even if you ‘recycle’ ones from other apps.</p>
<p>Thank you! This has been incredibly helpful. Am trying to “sneak” some more schools on the list without increasing workload. Boston College, Wesleyan and Middlebury were particularly surprising to see!</p>
<p>There is a “Why Tufts” question - though my son stuck to the 50 word limit for that. The optional essay truly is optional - AdmissionsDan emphasized that recently - also some of the options aren’t essays, so if for example, you have a quick idea for what to do with a piece of paper, you can send that in.</p>
<p>University of illinois at urbana</p>
<p>^^U of Illinois is not on the Common App, and the app has two 300-word essays.</p>
<p>Add Duke to the list. They have an “optional” essay that they stress is truly optional.</p>
<p>This is so depressing.</p>
<p>I think Dartmouth doesn’t have a supplement essay…only a peer recommendation.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the other schools but for WUSTL, while additional essays aren’t required for the application; students can apply for several scholarships and each one has essay requirements. (At least that is what I remember.)</p>
<p>I’m assuming as has been said that we’re talking beyond the Common App essay. Lawrence University has no supplemental essay.</p>