<p>How should I answer questions like "List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)"? Do I list them with bullets, number them or just write them like X,Y and Z? Please help. TIA!</p>
<p>Since you have a word limit, there is no reason to add numbers which will cut into it. I don’t think there is any way to make bullets in the common app.
Just write a title
Put the next title on the next line
Then the next one
And the next</p>
<p>@VSGPeanut101 thanks a ton 
</p>
<p>wait, so you’re actually supposed to provide a list? I mean I provide a list of titles but I go into depth for one or two in particular and describe the themes and how it applies to me and all… is that still an ok thing to do, because I’ve already finished most of my “list” questions. </p>
<p>^
So is there really not supposed to be any elaboration or sentences whatsoever?</p>
<p>@Verbose I’ve asked someone who used to intern in the admissions office. She said that whether you elaborate or not makes no difference to your application but some admins may feel irritated that you don’t know how to follow instructions if you don’t simply list. Therefore, I’d advise you guys to do what I do (heh) and just write down the book titles and authors. It gives you space to write more books! ^w^</p>
<p>My D (accepted ED last year) listed the titles and authors of the books only. You don’t have to list 50 or anything, they ask for the ones you enjoyed most. </p>
<p>^^Didn’t want to seem snarky here, just wanted to point out that it really is just a “list” :)</p>
<p>If you look on the right of the page on the common app you can click on the link where they actually tell you straight out to just list (commas or semicolons) the titles. They say you don’t even need the authors.</p>
<p>Columbia sent an FAQ email today where it is stated, among other things:</p>
<p>“In the Columbia-specific questions, when answering the questions about books and publications you have read and cultural events you have attended, it is acceptable to simply provide a list of titles. Author names may be included, but are not required. You may separate them using commas, semicolons or line breaks, but it is not necessary to italicize or underline titles, order them, annotate them, fill the entire space or use the maximum number of words.”</p>
<p>Their choice of word - “acceptable” - bothers me a little. It is acceptable, but is it good enough? They are not saying “a list is all we need”. They are not saying “please don’t elaborate on the items.” It is almost like they are saying “A list is a bare minimum, but it is up to you how you are going to make this part of your application stand out.” There is ambiguity there that is probably intentional. </p>
<p>You are overthinking this. A poster above whose daughter was accepted early just listed book titles and authors’ names. My son, who was also accepted early last year, did the same.</p>