What’s the correct way to format the header on a college essay?

Great question! For the Common App essay, you actually don’t need any kind of formal header—no name, no page number, not even a title (unless a specific college asks for one). The application system already attaches your personal details to the essay you upload or paste, so including your name, date, or high school in the essay body isn’t necessary and can even look awkward.

When you paste your essay into the Common App text box, keep the formatting simple. Just answer the prompt in standard paragraphs, separated by one line, and double-check for weird spacing or accidental formatting issues that can happen when copying from a word processor into the app. Make sure your essay stays within the word limit (typically 650 words for the Common App main essay).

Here’s a breakdown:
- No header needed
- No title required (unless you feel it genuinely adds something, but it’s NOT expected or necessary)
- Start with your first paragraph, and keep paragraphs separated by an empty line

If you’re uploading a document for a college that asks for it (usually for supplementary essays, not the Common App main one), you can follow more classic formatting: name and page number in the top right corner, justified text, 12-point font, and double-spacing, but most colleges sticking to Common App won’t see or need this.

Example of a proper beginning for a Common App essay:

"I never expected a ruined science fair experiment to change my life. The mixture fizzed, sputtered, and erupted—with all my hopes contained in a makeshift volcano. Yet as the foam spilled across the desk, I learned more from failure than any successful trial could have taught me."

That’s all you need—no labels or names. Keep your focus on the story you want to share!