Is there a standard format colleges want for application essays?

Question

I'm currently working on my Common App essay, and I'm a little confused about how it should be formatted. I've seen some people use bold headings and others just write straight paragraphs. Should the text be double-spaced, and do we need to indent the paragraphs, or is block format okay?

Also, should we include a title at the top, or does that just waste space since there are word limits? Any advice on things like font, margins, or spacing would be really helpful. I want to make sure I don't mess up something technical that could affect how my essay looks to the admissions officer.

Accepted Answer

You don't need to stress too much about formatting for your college application essays, especially for the Common App. The most important thing is that your essay is easy to read and clearly structured, but colleges do not expect any special formatting like bold headings, double-spacing, or creative fonts.

Here’s what you should keep in mind:

- Most students use straightforward paragraph format. No need for headings or section breaks.
- Indenting paragraphs or using a single line space between paragraphs are both acceptable. If you’re typing in the Common App portal, formatting tends to get stripped down to basic paragraphs, so don't worry if it doesn't look fancy.
- Double-spacing isn’t necessary, and adding extra line spacing will just eat into your word count.
- Avoid excessive formatting: bold, italics, underlining, or colored fonts. Use plain text.
- No title.
- For the Common App, you don’t choose the font or margins when you paste into the application; it converts your essay to a standardized look. Just use a recognizable, clean font like Times New Roman or Arial while drafting, and standard 1-inch margins—this is just for your reference, as it will get adjusted automatically when submitting.
- Proofread your essay in the Common App preview to make sure nothing looks broken or out of place after you paste it in.

Here’s a quick example: Start with your opening line (no heading or title), follow with several body paragraphs about your story, and wrap up with a conclusion. No need to get fancy!

Making sure your essay is readable, not losing content to formatting oddities, and keeping things professional will work in your favor. Focus on your voice and story—that's what admissions is looking for.