Essay Font and Size

<p>What font and size should I use for college essays? Does it matter? It probably converts to PDF files anywhere.</p>

<p>No. It doesn't matter.</p>

<p>I used computer modern because everyone else is using Times New Roman.
Research shows that having no more than 60-70 chars on a line is best for reading. But that would mean huge margins.</p>

<p>Should it be double spaced? Also, what about a title? Are you guys including a title in your main CommonApp essay?</p>

<p>Having a title does not hurt. While it might not make a difference in most cases, it might help sometimes.</p>

<p>I highly suggest that you use a professional typesetting system like LaTeX to do your essay instead of your typical Word document.</p>

<p>Format it in a way that is comfortable to read rather than the bland MLA format that you've been taught to use.</p>

<p>Times New Roman is overrated and considered unprofessional. Use a more acceptable font like Garamond, Palatino, or maybe even Utopia. Computer Modern (the default in LaTeX) is also a good choice if you want your document to have a less traditional feel.</p>

<p>Do not double-space - it is only for things that require editing. Single spacing with wide margins is recommended. If it looks too cramped, try 1.2 to 1.5 spacing.</p>

<p>Times New Roman considered unprofessional? Lol why does everyone use it then.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure Times is still acceptable.</p>

<p>Did you guys give your essays title or double space or single space it?</p>

<p>Title, double spaced, times new roman size 12. Above all else, make it easy to read. I doubt they really care if you use garamond vs. times new roman (I find, however, that Garamond, while prettier to look at, is a bit harder to read than times new roman).</p>

<p>There seems to some varying opinions as far as double spacing goes.... does anyone know for sure?</p>

<p>Tried to find a free download for LaTeX but no luck. No time to buy anything new between now and due dates. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>t/y</p>

<p>our career counselor told us that 12 Times New Roman is the Standard (double-spaced)</p>

<p>I went 1.5 spacing...just because I felt 2 made my essay seem too long and 1 left it hanging a little into the next page. Plus, 1.5 makes it easier to read without the overwhelmingly spacious feeling. Maybe it's just me and the fact that I'm into art and aesthetically pleasing presentations.</p>

<p>If you send in the common app electronically it will download your essay into a text box and all of your fomatting, font selection, spacing, etc. will be lost.</p>

<p>lol I went Times 11.5 font to get it on 2 pages</p>

<p>I talked to a Stanford rep and got the impression that spacing doesn't matter, so long as it's legible.</p>

<p>I'm going with size 12 Times, single spaced.</p>

<p>One of my apps specified Times 12 double-spaced.
I had no title.</p>

<p>The others were Common App, but I'm sticking to the same thing.</p>