Common Application Essay Format

<p>When we upload the essay, we have to double space it and put our last name and page number in the top-right corner? Is there anything else we need to add? Also do we need a title?</p>

<p>All the things you mentioned are good ideas, but not absolute requirements. When your essay is printed out, your name and Common Application number will appear along the bottom of each sheet. Before uploading it, my daughter created a pdf version, but that is not neccessary either. If a title helps, fine, but it is not necessary.</p>

<p>Whatever makes your essay have the most aesthetic view. Personally, I’m sticking to 1.5 spacing.</p>

<p>danceclass: I’ve always saved and uploaded my essays as PDFs but I found that the Common App generated automatically converts the file to a PDF. It’s probably easier if your daughter uploads as a .docx file; one time, I couldn’t upload my PDF because it was over the size limit (PDFs are generally bigger than .doc files).</p>

<p>My daughter had to pdf because the margins got all wacky when it was uploaded as a doc. The look of the essay on the page was important to her and luckily the size was okay.</p>

<p>No need to put your name on the essay. The common app automatically imbeds your name and common app ID on every page of the application, so that would be redundant.</p>

<p>Does the title and everything have to be in MLA format?</p>

<p>There is no required format and not everyone even decides to include a title. It just needs to be easily readable. Most people use 12 pt font but some go a little smaller to fit it on one page, if needed.</p>

<p>Generally, should we single space or double space our essays?</p>

<p>I’m also unsure about whether to use indents or block format.</p>

<p>So the general rule of thumb is single spaced 1 page. This is however not required. I personally just made mine single spaced to fit a whole nice page rather than take 1.5 pages 1.5 spaced (mine is exactly 700 words).</p>

<p>Now I do not believe MLA is required at all. If you press preview, common app does add your name and even page numbers, and if u make it MLA, the text will be printed over each other and look weird.</p>

<p>A title is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Creative titles really add to the way a reader may read the essay! Though I doubt required, it would be foolish not to include one.</p>