Do Online Colleges Require an Admissions Essay?
Some college applications are simple, while others require you to submit a variety of things, including essays. Learn if online colleges require essays.
Applying for college can be stressful. You're paying admissions fees, submitting transcripts, gathering letters of recommendation, and writing essays. But not all colleges require essays.
Keep reading to learn if online colleges require an admissions essay.
Do Online Colleges Require an Admissions Essay?
Some online colleges require an admissions essay, while others don't.
Many online colleges have open admissions, meaning that generally all you need to do to apply is fill out an application and provide proof that you graduated high school or passed the GED.
Popular online colleges with open enrollment include:
- Excelsior University
- National University
- Purdue Global
- UMass Global
- University of Maryland Global Campus
- Western Governors University
However, some online colleges are a little stricter in their application process and require not only proof of graduation or a GED but also test scores, recommendation letters, and essays.
You can usually get a full picture of what you'll need to apply by visiting the admissions page on the college or university website.
<h2 id="section---FeaturedOnlineCollegesThatRequireAnAdmissionsEssay">Featured Online Colleges That Require an Admissions Essay</h2><p>Personal admissions essays are not as popular as they once were.
</p><p>Some colleges and universities will still accept them and consider them for the application process, even if they don't require them. Others don't accept them at all.
</p><p>However, there are still some colleges and universities that require an admissions essay. Below, we've featured some online colleges that do require the essay, and broken down their admissions requirements.
</p><h3 id="section---1.DrexelUniversity">1. Drexel University</h3><p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Drexel_University_Online.html">Drexel University</a> is a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online.
</p><p>To apply to the university, students need to submit their high school transcripts and GPA, or GED equivalent, at least one letter of recommendation, and a personal essay.
</p><p>Some programs have specific essay topics, but Drexel recommends that a general essay cover things like your interest in the field, your professional goals, and your skills and experiences.
</p><h3 id="section---2.GeorgiaInstituteOfTechnology">2. Georgia Institute of Technology</h3><p>The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and primarily master's degrees online.
</p><p>First-time students will need to submit high school transcripts, GPA, and ACT/SAT scores. They also need to submit a personal essay based on one of seven prompts and provide a short answer about why they want to study at Georgia Tech.
</p><p>The requirements for graduate and transfer students depend on the specific program they're pursuing but typically include a personal essay about their specific career goals and objectives.
</p><h3 id="section---3.JohnsHopkinsUniversity">3. Johns Hopkins University</h3><p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Johns_Hopkins_University.html">Johns Hopkins University</a> is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus but mainly graduate degrees online.
</p><p>Applications for first-year students require your high school transcripts, two teacher recommendations, and a short essay based on the year's prompt. Test scores are optional but not required.
</p><p>Graduate programs also require a short essay that explains why you want to study that program, what your long-term goals are, and your background in the field.
</p><h3 id="section---4.OhioStateUniversity">4. Ohio State University</h3><p>Ohio State University is a public research university in Columbus, Ohio. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.
</p><p>The application for first-time students requires high school transcripts and a personal essay written in response to one of the prompt options. Test scores and letters of recommendation are optional.
</p><p>Specific programs may have additional requirements, including additional essays based on a specific prompt, especially at the graduate level.
</p><h3 id="section---5.SimmonsUniversity">5. Simmons University</h3><p>Simmons University is a private university in Boston, Massachusetts. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees on campus and online.
</p><p>Online undergraduate students will need to submit proof that they've completed high school, a letter of recommendation, and a personal essay that should be two to four pages long, double-spaced.
</p><p>Online graduate programs vary in their requirements depending on the program, but most require a personal essay as well as letters of recommendation and a current resume.
</p><h3 id="section---6.ThomasJeffersonUniversity">6. Thomas Jefferson University</h3><p>Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in person and online.
</p><p>To apply to the undergraduate program, students will need their official high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
</p><p>Some specific programs require responding to specific prompts or writing an additional essay, especially at the graduate level.
</p><h3 id="section---7.UniversityOfFlorida">7. University of Florida</h3><p>The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, Florida. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online.
</p><p>Students will need to submit their high school transcripts and test scores, in addition to answering a few short-answer questions and completing essay questions.
</p><p>Graduate students may need to submit an essay depending on the program. They'll also need to submit transcripts, test scores, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
</p><h3 id="section---8.UniversityOfIllinoisChicago">8. University of Illinois Chicago</h3><p>The University of Illinois Chicago is a public research university in Chicago, Illinois. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.
</p><p>Undergraduate students need to submit their high school transcripts, but test scores are optional. Essays are also required for students.
</p><p>Most graduate programs also require a personal essay. Students may also want to submit letters of recommendation and a writing sample, depending on the program.
</p><h3 id="section---9.UniversityOfNorthCarolinaCharlotte">9. University of North Carolina Charlotte</h3><p>The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public research university in Charlotte, North Carolina. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online.
</p><p>To apply, first-year students will need to submit their high school transcript and a required essay based off of one of the pre-chosen prompts. Test scores and letters of recommendation are optional.
</p><p>Graduate programs may have varying requirements, but most include transcripts, GPA, letters of recommendation, and a Statement of Purpose essay.
</p><h3 id="section---10.VillanovaUniversity">10. Villanova University</h3><p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Villanova_University.html">Villanova University</a> is a private Catholic research university in Villanova, Pennsylvania. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in person and online.
</p><p>Undergraduate online students will need to submit their official high school transcript or GED certificate as well as an essay discussing their educational interests and professional goals.
</p><p>Students in online graduate programs may need to submit an essay, but not all programs require it. They'll also need letters of recommendation and transcripts and may need a GRE score and resume.
</p><h2 id="section---ApplyToAnOnlineCollegeToday">Apply to an Online College Today</h2><p>Not all online colleges require an admissions essay, but some do. With the information above, you can prepare to apply to an online college today.</p>