Do college essays have to be formal?

College essays aren’t formal, academic pieces of writing like those you write in your English classes. Instead, they should sound like you so the reader can figuratively hear your voice and get a sense of your personality. It’s possible to be too informal in a college essay.

What style should a college essay be?

While single-spaced essays are usually acceptable, your essay will be easier to read if it’s 1.5 or double-spaced. Clearly delineate your paragraphs. A single tab at the beginning is fine. Use a font that’s easy to read, like Times, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, etc.

Does formatting matter in college essay?

If you’re submitting in a text box: Avoid italics and bold, since formatting often doesn’t transfer over in text boxes. Be careful with essays meant to be a certain shape (like a balloon); text boxes will likely not respect that formatting. Beyond that, this technique can also seem gimmicky, so proceed with caution.

Can you use slang in college essays?

Slang and Abbreviations Abbreviations are not at all acceptable in formal writing such as a college essay. Also, slang needs to be avoided. Use common language that people of all ages will understand. Remember your audience; you’re writing for your professor, not your friends.

Is it okay to use profanity in college essay?

As expressed in an article of “The Daily Beast,” don’t use profanities in your college essays. It’s a major mistake. Many of the anecdotes revolve around silly or even comical things students do during the course of the college admissions process.

Should essay paragraphs be indented?

Double space: Your entire essay should be double spaced, with no single spacing anywhere and no extra spacing anywhere. There should not be extra spaces between paragraphs. Indentation: The first line of each paragraph should be indented.

Should I double space my college essay?

Your essay should always be double-spaced throughout. Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the margin. Use only one space after all end punctuation. The end punctuation helps define the tone and meaning of a sentence.