Contractions in the common app essay

Are contractions okay to use in the common app essay? ( bear in mind there is a word count which is why I’m using contractions)

Yes

Just remember, when it comes to common app essays, you ain’t s’posed to say ain’t

B-)

For the most part, contractions are fine; you have to use your judgment as to whether the passage reads well or not. In the example below, a contraction would not work, but there are a few other things that would help reduce the word count. Edit ruthlessly, but make sure you don’t lose the flow of your writing.

In addition to contractions, there are a number of things that you can do to help save some words (19 words)

Besides contractions, there are several word-saving tricks to employ (9 words).