What are the standard guidelines for college essays?

Most colleges, especially those using the Common App or similar platforms, do have some fairly standard expectations for college essays, but there’s definitely some room for variation depending on the school and application system.

For formatting: use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri (usually 12-point size). When copying your essay into a portal like the Common App, keep in mind that all formatting may not transfer perfectly. To be safe, type your essay directly into the text box or paste it in and fix any odd spacing. Single spacing is usually fine unless otherwise specified; double-check each college’s instructions if you have doubts.

The word count is probably the strictest rule. If the prompt asks for a maximum of 650 words (like the Common App main essay), do not go over, even by a word. Some portals will cut off anything over the limit. It’s okay to be within about 10% below the max, but aim to use as much of the space as possible so you’re giving a full picture of yourself.

Bold, italics, and underlining: Avoid these unless the prompt or portal lets you format text specifically. Fancy formatting may disappear when you submit or look strange to readers.

File type: If asked to upload a file (more common with supplemental materials), use PDF unless told otherwise; this helps keep your formatting intact.

General dos and don’ts: Always answer the specific prompt, use your own voice, and avoid cliches. Proofread closely for typos and grammar mistakes. For example, if the essay asks for a challenge you’ve faced, be clear and honest rather than generic (i.e., "balancing drama club and coursework" could be made unique by sharing the night before your opening show when you had to negotiate with a teacher for a deadline extension).

Most importantly: always review each college’s requirements on their admissions website. Most will explicitly state any additional rules or preferences. For example, some schools ask for page numbers or specific headers, or even slightly different word counts than the Common App. Staying organized and making a checklist for each school is helpful.

Bottom line: stick to a standard font, mind the word count, don’t stress about fancy formatting, and always double-check each school’s specific instructions. If you do that, you’re set!