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Is it appropriate to use abbreviations in college essays?

Hi all, as I'm writing my college essay, I noticed that I used some abbreviations (e.g., UN for United Nations). Is it okay to use abbreviations like this in my essay, or should I spell everything out?

11 months ago

Hi there! It's generally a good idea to avoid using abbreviations in college essays. Although some commonly known abbreviations like 'UN' for United Nations might be understandable, it's still advisable to spell them out in full, especially when you use it for the first time in your essay. This ensures that your reader is not left guessing or potentially confused by any abbreviations.

Keep in mind that the person reading your essay might not be familiar with all abbreviations, and it's crucial to make your essay as clear and easy to read as possible. After all, the main goal of your essay is to showcase your unique qualities and make a lasting impression on the admission officer, not force your reader to try and untangle what you're referring to.

Good luck with your essay writing!

11 months ago

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