Do I need to use MLA format for my college application essay?
I've been working on my college application essays and I keep seeing different advice about formatting. Some people say you have to use MLA style just like for school essays, but others say the format doesn't matter as much. I'm getting a little freaked out that I'll do it wrong and it will hurt my application.
Does anyone know if colleges actually expect MLA format for the Common App essay or school-specific supplements? Should I be adding headers with my name and page numbers, or can I just focus on the content? It would be great to hear from people who already submitted or anyone who knows what admissions officers actually want to see.
Does anyone know if colleges actually expect MLA format for the Common App essay or school-specific supplements? Should I be adding headers with my name and page numbers, or can I just focus on the content? It would be great to hear from people who already submitted or anyone who knows what admissions officers actually want to see.
3 weeks ago
•
9 views
Caroline Benson
• 3 weeks ago
Advisor
You do not need to use MLA format for your college application essays. Admissions officers are much more interested in your story, your voice, and your message than in strict formatting rules like double-spacing, headers, or citations you might use for English class papers.
For the Common App essay and most school-specific supplements, you should submit your essay in a simple, readable format. This means:
- No need to add a header with your name, instructor, class name, or date.
- Don't worry about a separate title page or running headers with page numbers.
- Standard conventions are fine: use a readable font (like Times New Roman or Arial), 12-point font size, and normal spacing (single or 1.5 is typical, but the Common App textbox only allows certain formatting).
The Common App’s essay textbox automatically removes most formatting, and you’ll just paste your essay in with plain paragraph breaks. Admissions officers are used to this.
For school-specific supplements, unless the prompt specifically asks you to use a particular format (which is extremely rare), you can use the same approach. Focus on clear paragraphs and readability. If you need to reference outside sources for very specific supplements (for example, a UChicago extended essay asking for research), a brief in-text attribution ("According to..." or a simple citation) is enough, but this is an exception, not the rule.
For example, someone might stress over adding headers and a works cited page after quoting a book in their personal essay, but that's not expected or necessary.
In summary: Don’t stress about MLA or any academic formatting for your application essays. Just make your writing clear, organized, and reflective of who you are.
If you want extra reassurance, you can check specific instructions on each school's application portal or website. But generally, you'll be completely fine skipping MLA format and focusing your energy on your story instead.
For the Common App essay and most school-specific supplements, you should submit your essay in a simple, readable format. This means:
- No need to add a header with your name, instructor, class name, or date.
- Don't worry about a separate title page or running headers with page numbers.
- Standard conventions are fine: use a readable font (like Times New Roman or Arial), 12-point font size, and normal spacing (single or 1.5 is typical, but the Common App textbox only allows certain formatting).
The Common App’s essay textbox automatically removes most formatting, and you’ll just paste your essay in with plain paragraph breaks. Admissions officers are used to this.
For school-specific supplements, unless the prompt specifically asks you to use a particular format (which is extremely rare), you can use the same approach. Focus on clear paragraphs and readability. If you need to reference outside sources for very specific supplements (for example, a UChicago extended essay asking for research), a brief in-text attribution ("According to..." or a simple citation) is enough, but this is an exception, not the rule.
For example, someone might stress over adding headers and a works cited page after quoting a book in their personal essay, but that's not expected or necessary.
In summary: Don’t stress about MLA or any academic formatting for your application essays. Just make your writing clear, organized, and reflective of who you are.
If you want extra reassurance, you can check specific instructions on each school's application portal or website. But generally, you'll be completely fine skipping MLA format and focusing your energy on your story instead.
Caroline Benson
Brussels
Columbia University (BA); American University in Cairo (MA); Middlebury College (MA)
Experience
9 years