What is the standard format for a college application essay?
I'm working on my Common App essay right now, but I'm a little confused about the formatting. Is there a specific font, size, or spacing I need to use? Should I have a title, indent my paragraphs, or use double spacing like in school essays?
Also, does it matter if I write it in Google Docs first and then copy-paste it into the application? I'm worried the formatting will get messed up or that I'll look unprofessional if I do something wrong. Would admissions officers care if my essay didn't look exactly right?
For reference, I'm applying to some state schools and a couple of Ivies, if it matters. Just want to make sure I'm not making a stupid mistake that could mess up my chances!
Also, does it matter if I write it in Google Docs first and then copy-paste it into the application? I'm worried the formatting will get messed up or that I'll look unprofessional if I do something wrong. Would admissions officers care if my essay didn't look exactly right?
For reference, I'm applying to some state schools and a couple of Ivies, if it matters. Just want to make sure I'm not making a stupid mistake that could mess up my chances!
4 months ago
•
28 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Great questions—college application essay formatting can definitely be confusing at first, but the good news is that there are some standard practices, and admissions officers aren’t nitpicking font choices as long as your essay is readable.
For the Common App essay, you don’t have to worry about specific fonts or sizes. The application portal has its own formatting: when you copy and paste your essay into the text box, it will automatically convert everything to a single, uniform font and size. This means you don’t need a fancy font or extra formatting.
As for spacing, the Common App does not allow for double spacing. Essays appear as single-spaced with an extra line between paragraphs. You don’t need to indent new paragraphs—most applicants just hit 'Enter' twice to create a blank line between paragraphs instead. Titles are optional and generally not recommended. Admissions officers are reading hundreds or thousands of essays, and a title can feel unnecessary or take up valuable word space. Just start with the first sentence.
Using Google Docs or Word to write your essay first is a great strategy. It helps you keep track of word count and lets you easily edit. When you’re ready to submit, paste into the Common App and read through it to check that the breaks between paragraphs look correct and there’s no weird formatting. One good trick is to avoid things like tabs, italics, or any fancy formatting since the text box may not support them.
Admissions officers do not expect your essay to look like a school essay with double spacing or a cover page; they mainly care about clarity and content. Having a few minor formatting issues (like a missing indent) won’t matter at all as long as your essay is readable and follows basic guidelines.
For an example, imagine writing about a moment of growth during a summer job: start straight with your opening scene, use a blank line to separate paragraphs, and don’t worry about a title or special formatting.
In summary: Write in Google Docs, avoid special formatting, don’t add a title, use blank lines to separate paragraphs, and always check the final version after pasting into the application. Your content will always matter more than formatting!
Good luck with your essays!
For the Common App essay, you don’t have to worry about specific fonts or sizes. The application portal has its own formatting: when you copy and paste your essay into the text box, it will automatically convert everything to a single, uniform font and size. This means you don’t need a fancy font or extra formatting.
As for spacing, the Common App does not allow for double spacing. Essays appear as single-spaced with an extra line between paragraphs. You don’t need to indent new paragraphs—most applicants just hit 'Enter' twice to create a blank line between paragraphs instead. Titles are optional and generally not recommended. Admissions officers are reading hundreds or thousands of essays, and a title can feel unnecessary or take up valuable word space. Just start with the first sentence.
Using Google Docs or Word to write your essay first is a great strategy. It helps you keep track of word count and lets you easily edit. When you’re ready to submit, paste into the Common App and read through it to check that the breaks between paragraphs look correct and there’s no weird formatting. One good trick is to avoid things like tabs, italics, or any fancy formatting since the text box may not support them.
Admissions officers do not expect your essay to look like a school essay with double spacing or a cover page; they mainly care about clarity and content. Having a few minor formatting issues (like a missing indent) won’t matter at all as long as your essay is readable and follows basic guidelines.
For an example, imagine writing about a moment of growth during a summer job: start straight with your opening scene, use a blank line to separate paragraphs, and don’t worry about a title or special formatting.
In summary: Write in Google Docs, avoid special formatting, don’t add a title, use blank lines to separate paragraphs, and always check the final version after pasting into the application. Your content will always matter more than formatting!
Good luck with your essays!
Related Questions
Students also ask…
Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)