<p>To emphasize certain parts of my essays, I want to underline, italisize, and/or bold certain phrases or words. Do you think this is a good idea?
Do the admission counselors rather prefer plain text?</p>
<p>I figure the admission counselors would appreciate some formatting to make it easier for their eyes.
They sit there reading tons of essays a day. There is no doubt they skim your essay and may even miss out of some of the important stuff.
However, by highlighting the points for them, it makes it easier for them.</p>
<p>This is just my opinion. I'm not sure. If I had to send the essay in tomorrow, I would leave only a couple words bold and underlined in my essays. Of course, overdoing it is BAD idea.</p>
<p>Do not use any formatting except for italics. Formatting is a part of proper writing, and they want to see how professional you are. Bold and underlining is really not a part of proper writing.</p>
<p>I agree with you that bold and underlining aren't part of proper writing.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, do you think it's really that important to them? I like to think that the admission counselors would like something easier to the eyes.</p>
<p>I haven't had a chance to meet up with any admission counselors and ask what their opinion is on this subject. Maybe I should</p>
<p>It's not important. The Common App on-line doesn't allow for bold or italics, and may not allow for underlining at all, and the admissions reps seem to like it. </p>
<p>The other problem with highlighting or bolding is that you'll be emphasizing what you think is important, not what they think is important. They may be looking for different things and any formatting may actually distract them from finding what they are looking for.</p>