Should I space out my Common App essay?

As long as your essay is organized and well-written, the number of paragraphs is not important. The Common App platform will not allow you to indent (tab) your paragraphs, so add an empty line between each paragraph to separate them.

Do Common App essays have to be double spaced?

Most online applications will include a text box for your essay. If you're attaching it as a document, however, be sure to use a standard, 12-point font and use 1.5-spaced or double-spaced lines, unless the application specifies different font and spacing.

Should I separate paragraphs in my Common App essay?

A very simple writing rule for your application essay (and for essay editing of any type) is to make your writing readable by adding line breaks and separate paragraphs. Line breaks do not count toward word count, so they are a very easy way to organize your essay structure, ideas, and topics.

Should I indent my Common App essay?

About the Common App Platform. It does not allow indenting (tabbing), so add an empty line between paragraphs to separate them. It allows italics, so see Italics in the Style Guide for guidelines on using italics.

Is it bad if my Common App essay is short?

For the Common App, try to stay within 550-650 words, even though the given range is 250-650. Any submission shorter than 500 words will make it look as though you simply didn't care enough to give your best effort.

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What is the shortest a Common App essay should be?

The Common App essay word count range is 250-650 words. But just how long should your statement be? Admissions Blog advises aiming for around 500 words.

Is it OK if my Common App essay is 600 words?

The Common App essay is limited to 250 - 650 words, which roughly translates to a maximum of one single-spaced page of text. You must stay in this word range. In fact, the online portal for essay submission will not let you proceed if you don't. In general, we advise writing an essay between 500 and 600 words.

How do you space a Common App essay?

Don't worry about indents on the Common App. Just have a one-line space between each paragraph so it is easy to read and so it isn't all clumped together.

What if I made a mistake on my Common App essay?

If an essay needs to be modified, attach a corrected essay. Request that this information is reviewed rather than the content originally submitted and give a brief and apologetic statement about what caused the errors to happen in the first place.

Should my Common App essay be 5 paragraphs?

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay. College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count.

Should I double space my college essay?

Your essay should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. You should use a clear font that is highly readable. APA recommends using 12 pt. Times New Roman font.

Does Common App automatically space paragraphs?

Instead there will be one line of space between each paragraph. This is normal for all online common applications and cannot be changed.

Does it matter how long your Common App essay is?

As you draft, remember the Common App essay requirements, including the Common App essay word limit of 650 words. While the Common App essay word limit gives you more space than most supplemental essays, it's still relatively short. Often, leaving a few days between writing sessions can give you a useful perspective.

Is it OK if my Common App essay is too long?

It's not okay to exceed the 650 word limit on the common application essay, but your essay can be less than 650 words. Of course, you still need to make sure you've written a complete essay that tells the admissions committee something important about yourself- something not previously mentioned in your application.

Can I use the same Common App essay two years in a row?

You might be asking yourself, “can you use the same essay for multiple colleges?” The short answer is yes, but that it sometimes depends on a few factors. It is important to ensure that the essay you are reusing is general enough to be used for multiple college apps.

Should my Common App essay be in MLA format?

It's a great question to ask. Generally, college admissions essays do not have a strict formatting requirement like MLA or APA. Colleges are more interested in the content and how effectively you convey your thoughts and experiences. However, it's essential to make sure your essay is easy to read and well-organized.

Do colleges actually read your Common App essay?

Yes, admissions officers do actually read essays, but they might have already screened candidates first in a preliminary round. Every admissions office has a different process and it's impossible to sum up the exact step-by-step process for each admission office in one blog post.

Can a bad essay ruin your college application?

A bad essay will prompt an admission officer to assume one of two things: 1) either you don't care enough about your future at their school to take the time to write a good essay or 2) you aren't academically up to attending their college or university. Neither of those assumptions will help you get admitted.

What not to start Common App essay with?

Instead of starting off with a definition, start with a small snippet of a story that shows the word you're trying to definte. For example, instead of defining “determination,” start by writing about the time you won first place in a long-distance race even though you felt like giving up many times during it.

How many Common App essays are required 2023?

You only need to write one essay for the Common App, although you can change it and submit different versions to different schools.

Should I indent my college essay?

It's good that you're attentive to the details of your essay's presentation, as it can reflect your commitment to submitting polished work. For most college essays, especially those submitted through the Common Application or similar platforms, there is no strict rule requiring indentation.

What happens if you go over the word limit on Common App essay?

Some universities may allow you to mail in a copy of your admissions essay, but most will use online applications with text fields that may cut off your essay if it goes over the maximum word count.

Is it bad to go over word count on college essays?

Frequently asked questions about college application essays

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

How do you know if your Common App essay is good?

If anyone else could put their name at the top of your essay and have it still make sense, it could probably still use some work. If your essay tells a story that is important to you and 100% reflects who you are and no one else, then you're probably well on your way to hitting the “submit” button.

When should I finish my Common App essay?

For most students, the best approach is to write college essays during the summer after junior year and to finish essay writing before the beginning of your senior year. This way, college essays are off your plate and you can focus on submitting your applications and on your senior-year classes and activities.