What is the proper format for a college entrance essay?

You don’t need to stress about making your Common App essay look like a school paper with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman, headers, or a formal title. The college entrance essay is more about content than rigid formatting.

When you paste your essay into the Common App text box, it automatically formats your writing in a standard font and single-spaces everything. You just need to separate paragraphs with an extra line (add a full return between paragraphs). Don’t worry about indenting paragraphs; as long as there’s a clear space between them, you’re good.

You do not need to include your name, a title, or any other identifying info at the top of your essay. Everything’s already linked to your application, so admissions officers will know it’s yours. If you really want to give your essay a title, you can, but it’s totally optional and most students skip it. The focus should be the story and getting right into your narrative.

For example, if you’re writing about a moment you challenged an assumption in your community, just start directly with your opening line or anecdote. Your file should look like this:


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The smell of burnt toast always brings me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where big ideas were debated over simple breakfasts...


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If you’re uploading a document (some supplemental essays require this), use a simple font like Arial or Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point, with single spacing. Still, leave off your name and skip the title unless the prompt specifically asks for one.

So in short: No need for a title, name, or fancy formatting. Separate paragraphs with a blank line, and jump straight into your essay. Focus on authentic content and a strong narrative!