Is it necessary to include a title for my college essay?
I'm currently working on my Common App essay and I keep wondering whether I should put a title at the top. I know some people say it helps set the tone or catch the reader's eye, but I've seen sample essays where there's no title at all.
Does adding a title actually make a difference when admission officers read essays, or is it just extra? I don't want to waste space if it doesn't matter, but I'm also worried it might look incomplete without one. If anyone knows what colleges prefer, or if anyone had success either way, I'd really appreciate the advice!
Right now my essay has a pretty clear theme, but I can't think of a creative title that isn't cringey. Not sure if I should just skip it.
Does adding a title actually make a difference when admission officers read essays, or is it just extra? I don't want to waste space if it doesn't matter, but I'm also worried it might look incomplete without one. If anyone knows what colleges prefer, or if anyone had success either way, I'd really appreciate the advice!
Right now my essay has a pretty clear theme, but I can't think of a creative title that isn't cringey. Not sure if I should just skip it.
7 months ago
•
73 views
Lydia Schooler
• 7 months ago
Advisor
You absolutely do not need to include a title for your Common App essay, and most applicants choose to leave it off. Admissions officers are very used to seeing essays start right from the first sentence without a title—this is considered totally normal and professional for college essays. No points are deducted if you leave it untitled, and it won’t make your essay look incomplete at all.
Including a title is only helpful if it truly adds something important, like an extra layer of meaning or a clever twist that sets the stage for your story. For example, if your essay is a creative piece where a specific phrase or concept keeps recurring, a short title can sometimes reinforce your theme. One student I know wrote about learning to cook traditional dishes from their grandmother and simply titled their essay “Salt Water,” echoing a metaphor woven throughout. In that case, the title did help frame the essay.
However, if you're struggling to think of a non-cringey title, it's best to just skip it. For college application essays, substance always matters more than style, and you want to make the most of your word count focusing on your story and insight. Admissions readers care about your voice and the content, not whether there's a title at the top.
So, don't worry—you're not missing anything by starting with your opening sentence. Concentrate on making your first few lines engaging, since that’s what's most likely to catch a reader’s attention!
Including a title is only helpful if it truly adds something important, like an extra layer of meaning or a clever twist that sets the stage for your story. For example, if your essay is a creative piece where a specific phrase or concept keeps recurring, a short title can sometimes reinforce your theme. One student I know wrote about learning to cook traditional dishes from their grandmother and simply titled their essay “Salt Water,” echoing a metaphor woven throughout. In that case, the title did help frame the essay.
However, if you're struggling to think of a non-cringey title, it's best to just skip it. For college application essays, substance always matters more than style, and you want to make the most of your word count focusing on your story and insight. Admissions readers care about your voice and the content, not whether there's a title at the top.
So, don't worry—you're not missing anything by starting with your opening sentence. Concentrate on making your first few lines engaging, since that’s what's most likely to catch a reader’s attention!
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