<p>The title really says it all. It's for my Amherst supp essay. The word limit is only 300, so using contractions would help me shave a few words off of the already minuscule word count, but I don't want to come off as unprofessional. My essay isn't on a lighthearted topic (cultural/racial stereotypes) but I've tried to make it sound optimistic and occasionally lighthearted. Anyone is welcome to read it if you want to help/edit :) and I'll def. return the favor!</p>
<p>**contractions</p>
<p>I caught that .1 seconds after clicking enter :D</p>
<p>Sorry: auto reject – delete – all docs shredded.</p>
<p>JK: relax. The 300 is a good cutoff but not a direct sewer into the rejection abyss.</p>
<p>I wasn’t too worried about being a few words or so over, but would it be seen as unprofessional to use contractions, even though they make the essay flow a little better? I’m worried that writing everything out (have not instead of haven’t, will not instead of won’t, etc.) will make the writing seem rigid.</p>
<p>any other advice?</p>
<p>You are supposed to write in your voice. They aren’t supposed to be formal essays, they are supposed to be telling them more about you. It doesn’t matter whether or not you use contractions; it matters whether or not you get yourself across. Did you notice I used a few contractions ;-)</p>
<p>Contractions are totally acceptable. Flow is a lot more important than “professionalism.”</p>
<p>Since when were contractions considered unprofessional? I’m not sure what gave you this impression, but it’s wrong.</p>
<p>^In scholarly papers or research journals or any professional paper of that kind, there are no contractions. They are considered unprofessional because of the colloquial tone they create.</p>
<p>When you talk, do you use contractions? If so, use them. This is an essay about you, not a research paper you’re turning in. My Creative Writing teacher told me that if he ever had to read a story without contractions, he’d be bored and think that the writer is being pretentious.</p>