Is it necessary for my college essay to follow MLA format?
I'm working on my Common App essay right now and I'm a little confused about how it should be formatted. My English classes always require MLA format for essays, but I haven't seen anything saying that's required for college application essays.
Should I double-space it, use Times New Roman, and add a header like I would for my school papers? Or does the essay just need to be a plain block of text? I want everything to look as professional as possible, but I also don't want to include extra stuff if colleges actually prefer a simpler format.
Should I double-space it, use Times New Roman, and add a header like I would for my school papers? Or does the essay just need to be a plain block of text? I want everything to look as professional as possible, but I also don't want to include extra stuff if colleges actually prefer a simpler format.
2 months ago
•
16 views
Anonymous
2 months ago
You absolutely don’t need to follow formal MLA format for your college application essays, including the Common App essay. Admission offices aren’t looking for double-spacing, a heading with your name and date, or even a specific font like Times New Roman. Their goal is to learn about you—so the substance matters far more than the presentation.
The Common App’s essay textbox automatically strips out most formatting anyway, so adding MLA elements like a header will either be ignored or come across as unnecessary. You’ll want to use simple paragraphs with a blank line in between. The application text box uses its own default font and size, which you don’t control, and spacing is single-spaced (with a line space between paragraphs). Just make sure your essay is easy to read: leave clear breaks between paragraphs and avoid unusual characters or formatting.
For example, when I submitted my Common App essay, I typed it in a Google Doc to keep track of the word count, but I removed all headers and formatting before pasting it into the application. It ended up as clean text, with just breaks between each paragraph.
If you’re attaching an essay as a PDF for a college that allows uploads (usually for optional supplemental essays or portfolio pieces), you still don’t need MLA format. A simple document with your name and the essay prompt at the top is sufficient—no title page, no works cited. Stick with a readable font like Arial or Times New Roman, and normal spacing (1.5 or double, but not required).
To sum up: for the Common App and most online applications, just use plain text with separated paragraphs. Don’t stress about MLA or school-paper conventions. Focus your time on story, voice, and clarity—that’s what will make your essay stand out!
The Common App’s essay textbox automatically strips out most formatting anyway, so adding MLA elements like a header will either be ignored or come across as unnecessary. You’ll want to use simple paragraphs with a blank line in between. The application text box uses its own default font and size, which you don’t control, and spacing is single-spaced (with a line space between paragraphs). Just make sure your essay is easy to read: leave clear breaks between paragraphs and avoid unusual characters or formatting.
For example, when I submitted my Common App essay, I typed it in a Google Doc to keep track of the word count, but I removed all headers and formatting before pasting it into the application. It ended up as clean text, with just breaks between each paragraph.
If you’re attaching an essay as a PDF for a college that allows uploads (usually for optional supplemental essays or portfolio pieces), you still don’t need MLA format. A simple document with your name and the essay prompt at the top is sufficient—no title page, no works cited. Stick with a readable font like Arial or Times New Roman, and normal spacing (1.5 or double, but not required).
To sum up: for the Common App and most online applications, just use plain text with separated paragraphs. Don’t stress about MLA or school-paper conventions. Focus your time on story, voice, and clarity—that’s what will make your essay stand out!
Your story matters — let’s make it shine
Our advisors have reviewed thousands of essays and can help you today.
