20% of Common App Colleges Won't Require Essay

The Common Application, which historically has required colleges to use an essay to demonstrate commitment to "holistic" admissions, last year announced that it would allow its members to no longer require an essay. When the next version of the Common Application goes live in August, about 20 percent of the 600 colleges will no longer require an essay -- at least not through the Common Application, a spokesperson said. Some of them could require an essay as part of their own supplemental applications, she added.