How should I format my college essay for the Common App?
I've been working on my Common App essay, but I'm kind of unsure about the correct way to format it when I paste it into the application. Do I need to use double spacing or indent paragraphs? Also, should I include a title or my name at the top?
I've seen some people say all formatting disappears once you paste it in, but I want to make sure my essay looks clean and easy to read. I don't want to mess up all the work I've put in just because of formatting mistakes. If any seniors who have already submitted could share their advice—or anyone else who knows—that would be great! I just want to make sure I'm not making a rookie mistake on something this important.
I've seen some people say all formatting disappears once you paste it in, but I want to make sure my essay looks clean and easy to read. I don't want to mess up all the work I've put in just because of formatting mistakes. If any seniors who have already submitted could share their advice—or anyone else who knows—that would be great! I just want to make sure I'm not making a rookie mistake on something this important.
4 months ago
•
19 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You’re right to want your Common App essay to look clean and professional, but the good news is that the Common App’s text box formatting is straightforward. Here’s what you need to know:
When you paste your essay into the Common App’s personal essay text box, most formatting like indents, bold, italics, and double spacing will disappear. Your best bet is to use single-spacing throughout your essay, with a single blank line between paragraphs. This extra line is how almost everyone separates paragraphs in the Common App, since it provides the clearest visual break for the reader.
Don’t worry about using tab or spacebar indents for new paragraphs—they won’t show up properly and aren’t expected. Just hit enter twice when you finish a paragraph, and start the next one on a new line.
You should not include a title or your name at the top of the essay. Admissions readers know whose essay they’re reading from your application profile, and formatting is standardized so the essay stands out for its content, not a fancy heading.
A quick example:
"I stared at the empty soccer field, clutching a knee brace in my left hand. It was the first autumn Saturday in five years I wasn’t playing. (paragraph)
Two weeks earlier, a single awkward twist had sidelined me and catapulted me into the world of sports podcasts. (new paragraph)"
So in summary:
- No title or your name at the top
- No double-spacing—single space with an extra line between paragraphs
- No need to indent paragraphs
After you paste your essay in, always use the "Preview" button before submitting to make sure everything looks right. This last check will help you catch any weird spacing or chopped off sentences.
This straightforward format keeps the focus on your story and makes it easy for admissions readers to follow along. Good luck!
When you paste your essay into the Common App’s personal essay text box, most formatting like indents, bold, italics, and double spacing will disappear. Your best bet is to use single-spacing throughout your essay, with a single blank line between paragraphs. This extra line is how almost everyone separates paragraphs in the Common App, since it provides the clearest visual break for the reader.
Don’t worry about using tab or spacebar indents for new paragraphs—they won’t show up properly and aren’t expected. Just hit enter twice when you finish a paragraph, and start the next one on a new line.
You should not include a title or your name at the top of the essay. Admissions readers know whose essay they’re reading from your application profile, and formatting is standardized so the essay stands out for its content, not a fancy heading.
A quick example:
"I stared at the empty soccer field, clutching a knee brace in my left hand. It was the first autumn Saturday in five years I wasn’t playing. (paragraph)
Two weeks earlier, a single awkward twist had sidelined me and catapulted me into the world of sports podcasts. (new paragraph)"
So in summary:
- No title or your name at the top
- No double-spacing—single space with an extra line between paragraphs
- No need to indent paragraphs
After you paste your essay in, always use the "Preview" button before submitting to make sure everything looks right. This last check will help you catch any weird spacing or chopped off sentences.
This straightforward format keeps the focus on your story and makes it easy for admissions readers to follow along. Good luck!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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