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Do college essays need to be in MLA format?

Hi all, I'm starting to write my college essay and I was wondering if it needs to be in MLA format? I know we use MLA for most of our high school essays, but I'm not sure if it's necessary for college applications. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

a year ago

Hey there! Great question about college essay formatting. Generally, college application essays don't need to be in a specific format like MLA, as the main focus is on the content and your ability to convey your story effectively.

However, it's still important to maintain a clean, easy-to-read format. Make sure you use a standard font (like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri) and size (usually 12), with 1-inch margins. Double-spacing is also a good idea, as it makes your essay more readable.

When my child was applying to college, they just made sure that their essay was well-organized, engaging, and free of grammatical errors. The admissions officers are more interested in your story and what you can bring to their campus community, rather than strict adherence to a format like MLA.

Best of luck with your essay and the whole application process! Just focus on sharing your unique experiences and perspectives, and you'll do great!

a year ago

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