Your college admissions essay is your chance to share a part of who you are and make your application stand out. But to truly shine, it’s important to follow formatting guidelines.
A well-formatted essay not only makes it easier for admissions officers (who are reading tons of essays!) but also shows you can follow instructions.
Here's a step-by-step guide to formatting your college admission essay like a pro.
How to format a college essay
Step 1: Start with your introduction
Paragraph structure: Keep the introduction to one paragraph, about 3-5 sentences. It should grab the reader’s attention right away.
Engaging hook: Start with something interesting — maybe a unique fact, question, quote or personal story.
Clear thesis: End your introduction with a statement that explains the main point or theme of your essay. This is your thesis!
No title: Unless the application asks for it, skip the title. Titles can take up valuable space and word count.
Step 2: Develop your essay with body paragraphs
Structure: Break your essay into three or more body paragraphs. Breaking up your text into short paragraphs makes it easier to read. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or aspect of your story.
Topic sentence: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of that paragraph.
Support and details: Include specific examples, personal experiences or reflections that support your topic sentence.
Transition sentences: Make sure your paragraphs flow smoothly into each other. The transitions should help guide the reader naturally from one idea to the next.
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Step 3: End with a strong conclusion
Summarize main points: In one final paragraph, wrap up your essay by revisiting your thesis and reflecting on your personal growth or how your story shaped who you are today.
End on a strong note: The conclusion should leave the reader with a lasting impression. Don’t just restate what you said earlier. Finish with something powerful, like a statement about your future goals or a personal insight you’ve gained.
Step 4: Proofread for spelling, grammar and formatting
Check for mistakes: Carefully proofread your essay for any spelling, punctuation or grammar errors. Clear, error-free writing makes a great impression!
Use tools: Consider using a spell-check tool like Grammarly or reading the essay out loud to catch mistakes.
Ask for feedback: Get a second opinion. Ask a teacher, mentor or trusted family member to review your essay.
Step 5: College essay length and word count
Stick to word limits: Most college essays have a word limit. For the Common App, your essay should come in at 250-650 words.
If you’re too long, consider cutting out unnecessary words or sentences. Instead of saying “really X” or “very Y,” try a stronger, one-word synonym.
Don’t go too short: Try not to fall under the word limit too much. Make sure you’ve fully answered the prompt and told your story.
Step 6: Choose the right document format
File type: Save your essay as a Word document or PDF. Double-check the application portal for specific requirements.
Font: Use a readable, professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
Font size: Set your college essay font size to 12-point. Avoid using smaller or larger fonts to fit more text or fill the page.
Margins: Keep college essay margins at 1 inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
Line spacing: Use double spacing for the body of your essay. This makes it easier for admissions officers to read.
Step 7: Save and submit your essay
Final save: Once you’ve completed your essay and are happy with it, save your document one last time. Use a clear name for the file, like “FirstName_LastName_CollegeEssay.docx.”
Follow submission instructions: Make sure you follow the specific instructions for submitting your essay. The Common App, for example, asks you to copy and paste your essay into a text box.
Preview your essay: The Common App also has a preview button. Use it to see how your essay will appear to colleges before you hit submit.
Use an online word processor like Google Docs that automatically saves your document to avoid multiple files or lost work.
Avoid fancy formatting: Stick to the basics. Don’t use bold or italics unless absolutely necessary. The Common App allows bold, underlined and italicized text, but formatting like linked text will not work.
No headers or footers: Most college applications don’t want your name or page numbers at the top or bottom of the page.
Focus on quality: Content is key. Focus on telling your story in a clear, engaging and authentic way.
By following these formatting tips, you’ll make sure your college application essay looks polished and professional, allowing your story to shine.
