Could use some advice here. When it comes to formatting for the Common App essay, are there specific requirements I should follow? Like margins, font size, spacing? Or is it pretty much open to whatever looks clean?
Hello! It's great that you're thinking about the presentation of your Common App essay. Indeed, there are some general guidelines you should stick to for formatting. The Common App essay text box does standardize some formatting elements, so you won't need to worry about margins, font choices, or spacing. The text box formats all essays into the same font type and size, and single-spaces the text by default.
When you're preparing your essay, focus on ensuring that it's easily readable and clean. Avoid any unconventional formatting like using tabs or multiple spaces to create indents as this can sometimes paste into the text box in an unexpected way. If you want to create breaks between paragraphs, simply hit 'Enter' twice to leave a blank line, which makes your essay more visually appealing and easier to read on-screen. Remember, though the text box can limit your formatting, the content of your essay is where you'll shine. Best of luck with your application process!
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