The Disappearing Custom Prompt: What Fewer Supplemental Essays Mean for College Applicants

For years, many colleges have asked students to submit supplemental essays in addition to the Common Application personal statement. These prompts often asked students to explain why they were interested in a specific college, describe a community they belong to, or reflect on their academic goals.

But recently, some colleges have begun reducing or eliminating these school-specific essays. UNC Chapel Hill confirmed that it will not require supplemental essays (not yet posted online), and University of Miami, University of Georgia, and Tulane have made similar moves.

At first glance, this may sound like good news for students. Fewer essays means fewer deadlines, fewer drafts, and one less requirement to manage during an already busy senior year.

But fewer essays does not mean the application matters less.

There are likely a few reasons driving this shift. Colleges may be trying to lower the barrier to apply by making the process feel more accessible. Every extra essay can become an obstacle, especially for students who are already overwhelmed or who have less support navigating the process.

Artificial intelligence may also be playing a role. Many supplemental essays, especially “Why this college?” prompts, are easier to generate with AI because they rely heavily on information that is already available online. It is much harder for AI to replace the reflection, personal insight, and authentic voice required in a strong personal statement.

So what does this mean for students?

The Common App personal statement may become even more important. It is the main place where students can share their voice, values, growth, and perspective. A strong essay does not need to be dramatic or overly polished. It should help admissions readers understand who the student is and what they bring to a campus community.

The activities list also matters. With fewer supplemental essays, students need to be thoughtful about how they describe their commitments, responsibilities, impact, and interests. Those small character counts can reveal a great deal when used well.

Grades, course rigor, and test scores will continue to play an important role, too. If colleges have fewer written responses to review, the other parts of the application may carry more weight.

Perhaps most importantly, students should not stop researching colleges just because a school no longer asks a “Why us?” question. Fit still matters. Students need to understand whether a college is a strong academic, social, emotional, and financial match, even when they are not asked to explain that fit in an essay.

The disappearing custom prompt may make applications feel simpler, but it does not remove the need for reflection and strategy. Students still need to present themselves clearly, thoughtfully, and authentically.

In a changing admissions landscape, the goal remains the same: helping colleges understand the student behind the application.