What is the correct way to format a college essay?
I'm finishing up my Common App personal statement and I want to make sure everything is formatted the right way. I know the content obviously matters a lot, but I'm worried that if my essay looks weird or doesn't follow standard format, it could hurt how admissions officers read it.
Should I use MLA or APA style? What font and size does everyone use? Is double-spacing required, and do I need to put a title at the top? Do I indent my paragraphs or just leave a line between them?
If anyone has successfully submitted their apps already, I’d love some details about exactly what formatting they used and whether it matters if you go over/under the preferred word count by a few words. Just kind of stressing about something small, but I want to get it right.
Should I use MLA or APA style? What font and size does everyone use? Is double-spacing required, and do I need to put a title at the top? Do I indent my paragraphs or just leave a line between them?
If anyone has successfully submitted their apps already, I’d love some details about exactly what formatting they used and whether it matters if you go over/under the preferred word count by a few words. Just kind of stressing about something small, but I want to get it right.
2 months ago
•
20 views
Amy Kramer
• 2 months ago
Advisor
You’re not alone in feeling stressed about the formatting. The good news is that there's no specific required formatting, whether it be MLA or APA or even the standard "5 paragraph essay" format. In fact, using a more unique or untraditional style (like a poem or free verse or lots of dialogue) can help your essay stand out. Just be careful not to introduce errors or confusion if you decide to do something more unconventional.
On word count: The Common App personal statement has a hard limit of 650 words. You can't paste an essay longer than that. If your word count is high, the box will cut off any excess text, so make sure your essay fits within that limit after pasting. Aim to be as close as possible, but it’s fine to be a little under. In my experience, the best common app personal statements are at least 630 words. Don't add fluff for the sake of fluff, but you should want to take full advantage of the opportunity provided.
If you're stuck and don't know how to make your personal statement substantively longer, consider extrapolating whatever anecdote you're writing about to your long term goals. This will usually help set up your "why school" and "why major" supplements well.
Meeting with a counselor here on Sundial is the best way to get comprehensive feedback on your essay.
On word count: The Common App personal statement has a hard limit of 650 words. You can't paste an essay longer than that. If your word count is high, the box will cut off any excess text, so make sure your essay fits within that limit after pasting. Aim to be as close as possible, but it’s fine to be a little under. In my experience, the best common app personal statements are at least 630 words. Don't add fluff for the sake of fluff, but you should want to take full advantage of the opportunity provided.
If you're stuck and don't know how to make your personal statement substantively longer, consider extrapolating whatever anecdote you're writing about to your long term goals. This will usually help set up your "why school" and "why major" supplements well.
Meeting with a counselor here on Sundial is the best way to get comprehensive feedback on your essay.
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Amy Kramer
Washington DC
Duke University, BA in Public Policy | Tsinghua University, MA in Global Affairs
Experience
10 years
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5.0 (82 reviews)