<p>"pimp: lol I made it 10 pt font with like 1 cm of border around..."</p>
<p>YES! Hahaha. So I guess it is ok to do that.</p>
<p>Bern, I was wondering if you used "SAT" words. Is it true we should avoid these, and focus more on tone, flow, and voice?</p>
<p>I just wrote like I normally speak and tried to convey who I was, If occasionally I used the word plethora,myriad,etc. and it somehow turned up on the essay it was because that was the word I would ordinarily use. So no I if you're wondering if you should sit there and and use the wonderful shift+f7 function then I wouldn't suggest it. It takes away from the flow, tone, and voice. </p>
<p>be yourself!</p>
<p>I would say that you shouldn't have an abundance of "SAT" words but you do need a decent vocabulary and avoid repeating the same words. Don't be afraid to use synonyms even if they are "SAT" words.</p>
<p>Shift+F7 was valuable to me as I tend to use the same word three times in two sentences. Thus, it (and Dictionary.com/Thesaurus.com) were invaluable in making my essays polished, and not choppy from the repetition of the same word. As for SAT words, I used the word that I felt best conveyed the meaning, regardless if it was a vocab word in first grade or an SAT word. As such, I did use words like myriad, but thats the word that to me best conveys the meaning. However, if you are an "a lot" person, use it. (Just not "alot") Remember, the essays show personality, and part of that is the vocab. So show you!</p>
<p>I think a conversational tone works best. Using big words, even if you use them in everyday life, will come off as fake or trying too hard.</p>
<p>Some SAT vocabs are more commonly known than others. Just don't use SAT words that are as old as dinosours. You can use "a lot", but don't use it a lot and don't say "very unique", "more unique" or "most unique" because unique is most in its own.</p>
<p>If you have the courage to and if you trust Penn students' comments, try to get in touch with some of them and ask for comments on your essay. You should ask "if you don't know me at all, upon reading this personal essay, what type of person do you think I am?", "What do you feel to have someone who wrote this essay in your college?". That's what I did last year and I got in. </p>
<p>Peggy Hanefors, a former Penn adcom, said that one thing she seek in essays is your <em>readiness</em> for college. So whatever you write about, do show that you are ready for such a huge change in your life. </p>
<p>She also added that since she's an international, she is not a keen incorrect-English-usage-catcher. And since I'm intl too, i have to admit i'm bad at both grammars and SAT vocabs. Thus, don't bombard your SAT vocabs or extraordinarily long sentences since you could easily annoy your reader.</p>