What format is best for writing a college essay?
I’m starting to draft my college essays, but I’m a bit confused about what format I should use. Do I need to follow a specific structure like a five-paragraph essay, or is it more like a creative story?
I’ve seen some people say you should always double space and use Times New Roman, while others suggest that the content matters way more than the formatting. I want to make sure my essays don’t get rejected just because of the way they look, but at the same time, I want my personality to shine through.
Would love to hear how others formatted theirs or if there’s anything I should definitely avoid!
I’ve seen some people say you should always double space and use Times New Roman, while others suggest that the content matters way more than the formatting. I want to make sure my essays don’t get rejected just because of the way they look, but at the same time, I want my personality to shine through.
Would love to hear how others formatted theirs or if there’s anything I should definitely avoid!
4 months ago
•
8 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Great question! The format for a college essay isn't as rigid as the essay formats you’ve probably used in school, like the five-paragraph structure. Admissions officers care far more about your voice, story, and how clearly you convey your ideas, rather than whether you have an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
For most personal statements, you can use a more creative or narrative style—think of telling a story rather than writing a formal research paper. However, the essay should still have a clear flow: start with a compelling hook or moment (maybe an anecdote), show some development or growth, and wrap up with some reflection or insight about who you are now. These elements don’t always need to be in chronological order; sometimes, essays begin in the middle of a story and then flash back (“in media res”).
As for the technical formatting: When submitting your essay through the Common App, for example, you’ll copy and paste your text into a box. The system automatically standardizes your essay’s appearance, so you generally don’t need to worry about font or spacing. Just make sure paragraphs are separated by line breaks so your essay is readable. Outside the Common App (for specific schools or scholarships), check their instructions for any required font or format. Otherwise, use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, 12 pt, and double space ONLY if asked.
Content matters far more than format—but you should never submit an essay as one big block of text and avoid excessive formatting like colored fonts or images. Focus on telling your story clearly, using appropriate paragraphs and logical progression. For example, a memorable essay might open with a single line—“The kitchen timer beeped exactly 3 minutes before we found out my brother had run away”—and then unfold the story around that moment, using dialogue or quick scene changes.
In summary: Stick to a logical, readable structure using paragraphs; use standard fonts if required; and let your voice and personality shine. If you’re unsure, check the instructions for each application and use line breaks between paragraphs. That’ll keep your focus on what matters: sharing your story!
For most personal statements, you can use a more creative or narrative style—think of telling a story rather than writing a formal research paper. However, the essay should still have a clear flow: start with a compelling hook or moment (maybe an anecdote), show some development or growth, and wrap up with some reflection or insight about who you are now. These elements don’t always need to be in chronological order; sometimes, essays begin in the middle of a story and then flash back (“in media res”).
As for the technical formatting: When submitting your essay through the Common App, for example, you’ll copy and paste your text into a box. The system automatically standardizes your essay’s appearance, so you generally don’t need to worry about font or spacing. Just make sure paragraphs are separated by line breaks so your essay is readable. Outside the Common App (for specific schools or scholarships), check their instructions for any required font or format. Otherwise, use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, 12 pt, and double space ONLY if asked.
Content matters far more than format—but you should never submit an essay as one big block of text and avoid excessive formatting like colored fonts or images. Focus on telling your story clearly, using appropriate paragraphs and logical progression. For example, a memorable essay might open with a single line—“The kitchen timer beeped exactly 3 minutes before we found out my brother had run away”—and then unfold the story around that moment, using dialogue or quick scene changes.
In summary: Stick to a logical, readable structure using paragraphs; use standard fonts if required; and let your voice and personality shine. If you’re unsure, check the instructions for each application and use line breaks between paragraphs. That’ll keep your focus on what matters: sharing your story!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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