University of Miami has officially removed its supplemental essay for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. Students will now only submit the main Common App essay.

This is part of a growing trend among selective colleges. Schools like WashU, Tulane, UGA, and UVA (last cycle) have made similar moves to increase application volume and lower acceptance rates. UMiami is the latest to follow.

While the change sounds student-friendly, it actually makes the admissions process more competitive in practice. With fewer opportunities to show fit and stand out, your Common App essay now carries significantly more weight.

In the video below, I break down:
– Why UMiami made this decision
– How it fits into the broader trend of colleges lowering standards
– What this means for students applying to Miami and similar schools
– Why strong applicants are at a disadvantage when schools remove ways to demonstrate excellence

This is exactly why having strong strategy on your Common App essay is more important than ever!