How should I format my Google Doc for my college essays?
I'm getting ready to start my college essays and I plan to write them in Google Docs. I'm not sure if there's a standard way I should set up the doc before I start writing.
Should I use a certain font and size, like Times New Roman 12pt? Also, is it better to have double or single spacing? Should I include my name or page numbers at the top? Or do colleges just want the text itself, with no heading or anything?
I'm a bit nervous about messing up the formatting and making a bad impression, so if anyone has advice on what has worked for them or what admissions officers expect, that would be super helpful. I just want to be sure I'm doing this part right before I get into the actual writing!
Should I use a certain font and size, like Times New Roman 12pt? Also, is it better to have double or single spacing? Should I include my name or page numbers at the top? Or do colleges just want the text itself, with no heading or anything?
I'm a bit nervous about messing up the formatting and making a bad impression, so if anyone has advice on what has worked for them or what admissions officers expect, that would be super helpful. I just want to be sure I'm doing this part right before I get into the actual writing!
4 months ago
•
43 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You’re smart to think about formatting your college essays before you jump in, but you don’t need to overthink it! For most college applications, especially through platforms like the Common App or Coalition App, you will end up pasting your essay directly into a text box in their portal. Their system will standardize your formatting, so what really matters is that your drafts are easy for you (and maybe anyone reviewing your essays) to read and edit.
Here are some best practices for setting up your Google Doc:
Font: Choose something easy to read like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Size 12 is a solid, standard choice.
Spacing: Use either 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing. Double spacing is not required and will make your draft look a bit stretched. You just want it readable with enough space for comments if you’re getting feedback.
Margins: Stick with the default margins (1 inch on all sides). No need to change these.
Headers/Footers: You actually don’t need to include your name, the essay prompt, the school’s name, or page numbers in the document. Admissions officers almost always ask for just the text itself. When you paste your essay, all that info is either not needed or is prompted for elsewhere in the application.
Title: Unless an essay prompt specifically asks for a title, don’t add one! Just jump right into your story.
Example: A simple setup would be Arial, 12-point font, 1.15 spacing, no header/footer, and left-aligned paragraphs. Many students set up their Google Doc this way and have no issues when it’s time to submit.
If any college specifically asks for a PDF upload, follow any formatting instructions they provide. In those rare cases, it’s usually fine to use the same format as above, but double-check their guidelines for anything special.
Ultimately, focus on drafting clearly and making it easy for yourself (and your editors!) to see and comment on your writing. As long as your doc is readable and doesn’t have distracting colors or fonts, you’re doing it right. Good luck getting started—the most important thing is your story, not the fonts or spacing!
Here are some best practices for setting up your Google Doc:
Font: Choose something easy to read like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Size 12 is a solid, standard choice.
Spacing: Use either 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing. Double spacing is not required and will make your draft look a bit stretched. You just want it readable with enough space for comments if you’re getting feedback.
Margins: Stick with the default margins (1 inch on all sides). No need to change these.
Headers/Footers: You actually don’t need to include your name, the essay prompt, the school’s name, or page numbers in the document. Admissions officers almost always ask for just the text itself. When you paste your essay, all that info is either not needed or is prompted for elsewhere in the application.
Title: Unless an essay prompt specifically asks for a title, don’t add one! Just jump right into your story.
Example: A simple setup would be Arial, 12-point font, 1.15 spacing, no header/footer, and left-aligned paragraphs. Many students set up their Google Doc this way and have no issues when it’s time to submit.
If any college specifically asks for a PDF upload, follow any formatting instructions they provide. In those rare cases, it’s usually fine to use the same format as above, but double-check their guidelines for anything special.
Ultimately, focus on drafting clearly and making it easy for yourself (and your editors!) to see and comment on your writing. As long as your doc is readable and doesn’t have distracting colors or fonts, you’re doing it right. Good luck getting started—the most important thing is your story, not the fonts or spacing!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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