<p>Can we use these in college essays or does our writing need to be:</p>
<p>isn't ------ is not
aren't ---- are not
would've ---- would have</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You can use the contractions...</p>
<p>yeah.. not using them isnt real english anymore....</p>
<p>I would say it depends on the tone/style of your essay. Most app essays are less formal, though, since they're personal, so contractions are fine. If for some reason, you have a formal-sounding essay, I'd leave them out.</p>
<p>Agreed with BookAddict. If the essay is very formal, don't use them. But if it's informal, as most college essays are, use them. They'll make you sound more like yourself, which is what you want.</p>