Should I write an optional supplemental essay?
Usually yes when the prompt lets you add meaningful fit, context, or a new story. Skip only when the essay would repeat material or sound rushed.
College list
Colleges with optional supplemental essays
A source-checked list of colleges where school-specific writing is optional or mixed, so applicants can decide when an extra essay is worth the time.
No colleges are currently marked as optional-supplement schools after verification.
Turn a list into an essay plan
Deadline and supplement lists are only useful when they change what you do next. Add your schools in Jengo to map prompts, avoid repeated stories, and start the essays with the highest deadline pressure first.
Build your school list →FAQ
What does mixed supplement status mean?
Mixed means the school has at least one required school-specific writing task and at least one optional one, so applicants should plan both.