College Application Essays Format

In writing my essays for college applications, it occurred to me that I'm unsure about what format I should be using. Is there a specific format that colleges expect? I’m a little stressed about this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

There's no need to stress, your question is quite common among applicants! While there isn't one universally agreed-upon format for college essays, there are a few style guidelines that you might find helpful.

First and foremost, keep it succinct. Most colleges impose a word limit, typically between 250-650 words. They expect you to adhere to these limits, so carefully select and organize your thoughts to fit within the given range. Check the application instructions on the college's website to confirm specific requirements.

Structurally, your essay should be coherent and organized. You can stick to the classical 'beginning, middle, and end' structure. Start with a strong introduction to catch your reader's interest, then use the body of the essay to elaborate on your main idea, and finally close with a meaningful conclusion. It's good if the conclusion recalls earlier points in your essay, which gives the whole piece a sense of unity and closure.

Choose a consistent tone that aligns with your topic and the message you want to convey. Whether it's serious or playful, ensure it's genuine and reflects your personality well. It's also important to maintain the same tense throughout unless the narrative requires a change.

Furthermore, use a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, and size it between 10 and 12. Stay consistent with one font and size throughout the entire essay. Ensure your paragraphs are indented and have a space in-between to make the text easier to read.

Proofread for clarity, correctness, and quality. Good grammar and punctuation are a must, but also pay attention to the flow of your sentences.

Remember, the most important thing is that your essay represents who you are as an individual and how you think. Focus primarily on delivering your story in a compelling and genuine manner. Good luck!