<p>I'm sure plenty of people have thought of this, but I was wondering:
it seems like contractions will make it easier to get around that whole 500 word limit on the essays. I typically use loads of contractions anyway (which is always a pain when I get papers back and they're all circled), but do the people reading the essays look down upon those who use a lot of contractions?</p>
<p>Do not use contractions.</p>
<p>If you're speaking in the first person, it's ok.</p>
<p>If you're going for a bit of informality, then I think it's fine to use contractions. Otherwise, it is a no-no.</p>
<p>none at all, columbia2007?</p>
<p>I wouldn't think there'd be problem if it's well written and you don't use too many of them as I've done here.</p>
<p>Some great college essays are written very casually or colloquially, so you're fine if that's the approach you're going for. You're not necessarily trying to write a formal academic / scholarly work.</p>
<p>It's absolutely FINE to use contractions. These are personal essays, not scholarly journal articles!</p>
<p>wow they have a word limit this year.</p>
<p>I also think its fine to use contractions, as I've used many in mine. however do keep in mind that although this is not a scholarly journal, its not a note to your best friend either.</p>
<p>I was just asking 'cause it's not gonna flow right (ok, it doesn't anyway, but it'd flow even worse) if I can't use contractions.</p>
<p>And 'cause it's too long. But mostly because of the flowability of it.</p>