I trust that Penn applicants know - Contractions in the essays?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>Are contractions alright for college essays? It's not like I want to use an obnoxious amount, and I know that formal writing should avoid them, but often times I feel robotic going without them entirely. And character counts make me want to rip my hair out.</p>

<p>There's something very personal that comes with contractions - something colloquial that disappears without them. Obviously, we speak with contractions every day. If I'm talking to the admissions officer, I want him or her to hear my voice. Accurately.</p>

<p>I would appreciate your two cents. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Yeah I had plenty of contractions. Make it sound like you.</p>

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<p>I would say certainly use contractions if they are an important part of your voice.</p>

<p>Haha, nerdfighters FTW! :D</p>

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<p>Thanks everyone. I'll stick with those contractions. It just sounds kind of off without them at all.</p>

<p>And DoWhatYouWant, ahh! You're the very first on here to recognize that. You are clearly made of awesome. I can't believe a fellow nerdfighter is on here - ha.</p>