<p>Does it matter if you use contractions in your essay? Do they want it that formal. </p>
<p>Also for one of my essays, it says its 575 words on microsoft word but on the UC application it shows 583 words. Whats up with that??</p>
<p>bump...bump</p>
<p>you should keep it informal, but don't smother it with contractions. write out the full phrase a couple of times and you'll be fine. </p>
<p>some programs count differently - a few count dashes as characters, some actually count making new paragraphs as characters, etc. you shouldn't worry too much about it unless the word limit is strictly enforced.</p>
<p>I have been told that contractions are not supposed to be in your essay.
Only use them if you are trying to establish a certain theme or tone to your essay.
For example I use mom instead of mother in my essay to exude that sense of warm connection.</p>