How formal should the essay be?

I mean, all bloggers and even the written text on MITadmissions page are in a friendly tone. Are we allowed to write essays like that, or should it be as formal as possible?

the essay should read like it would if you were reading it out loud.
It should sound like you.

@menloparkmom So it doesn’t have to sound like a formal English paper? (sorry I keep asking but I want to make sure I won’t get inappropriately informal)

The goal of a college essay is for them to get to know you as a 3D person. Formality is not required, but you also want to avoid inappropriate humor, etc. There is such a thing as “too casual”. But you are not going for stiff or stuffy. Have you checked out the tips at the top of the essay forum? They pretty much apply to both common app and supplemental essays.

no it doesnt. it needs to “sound” like you do when you are talking about yourself.
the admin who is reading your essay needs to be able to get an idea of what you are really like.
they cant do that as well if they can’t “picture” someone your age speaking about yourself ,because the essay was written in a stiff, formal tone.

I would write as if you were speaking (to an extent of course–no "like"s or "umm"s). My theory is they care more about your voice and identity vs. “perfect” writing. So don’t let teachers edit your essays and tell you how they should be. It doesn’t have to, nor, in my opinion, should be formal.

@traindude1 So am I right in thinking that the purpose of proofreading by another person is only for checking syntax/grammatical errors, not the tone of the writing?

An editor could definitely make suggestions as to tone, wording, or content. For example, you generally shouldn’t swear in an essay even if you do normally. Or they might note that the wording used in a certain sentence sounds juvenile, or that the topic or how the topic’s treated doesn’t show the writer in the best light.

Editing can be saying, I.e., you mention 2 classes you took at the local U, best to mention 3. Or, a last line that is too sappy. It doesn’t mean changing the voice of a 16or 17 year old.

@geekgurl Yea, I mean let them suggest things but don’t change it just because they suggested. Also imo “subtly” throwing in accomplishments isn’t something which should be encouraged, contrary to what my high school teachers thought. They’ll have seen your accomplishments in your application already. So I guess general unsolicited advice here: don’t write about some classes you took at the local U which changed your life or something similar. I think Adcoms will see through any attempt to show off more and be turned off by it.

Disclaimer: just my $0.02

Google “Hacking the College Essay 2017” for ideas on how to write the essay only you could write

I think editing for tone is fine. For example, many HS students are not tuned into how humor lands with adults reading the essay. Or an editor might notice if something very familiar to the writer (like a book or music) could use more context so an unfamiliar reader will understand it.

OP: “Are we allowed to write essays like that,” - yes

intparent: “There is such a thing as “too casual”.” true in theory, but in practice, I’ve almost never seen it done, whereas I see WAY more stiff/stuffy/polished/pretentious.

@MITChris Btw, can I do this to add emphasis on one word in one of the essays? It looks like I can’t format the text box on the application and I think it might be weird if I don’t emphasize it