Not only is it fine to make “I” statements in your application essays, but colleges expect your essays to sound like you, too! Always be yourself in your application, not the candidate you think admissions committees want to see.
Is it OK to use you in a college essay?
Can you use “you” in the essay? Of course you could, but please don’t. In general, write your college application essay and supplemental essay using the first person: I, me, us, we…Avoid “you” (which is used in second-person point of view) as much as possible.
What should you not say in a college essay?
College Essay Topics to Avoid
- Controversial Topics. Controversial topics, such as current political hot buttons, should be avoided at all costs.
- Highly Personal Topics.
- Personal Achievements and Accomplishments.
- Most Important Place or a Role Model.
- Creative Writing.
- Athletic Topics.
- Humorous Topics or Jokes.
- Tragic Events.
Do you include your name in a college essay?
Don’t include your name unless it’s specifically requested. Oftentimes, you’ll need to submit your college essay in a specific file format. The application may only accept certain versions of Word files (i.e. only .
Is it okay to use me in an essay?
You can use first-person pronouns in your essays, but you probably shouldn’t. But like I said, it’s complicated. My sense is that teachers usually tell their students to avoid “I” or “me” (or “we,” “us,” “my,” and “our”) because these pronouns are often used poorly.
Can I use first person in my college application essay?
4. Authenticity is Key. On a high school essay, it’s generally not appropriate to use the first-person. Not only is it fine to make “I” statements in your application essays, but colleges expect your essays to sound like you, too!
Is passive voice OK in college essays?
It Can Make Experiences Easily Relatable
College essays tend to be about personal experiences. Using a passive voice, while great for some scientific or other formal papers, can make for a very difficult read when it comes to this topic. You want your story to flow so they can understand your experiences with you.
How do I make my college essay stand out?
A standout college essay has several key ingredients: A unique, personally meaningful topic. A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook. Specific stories and language that show instead of telling.
Can you write about depression in college essay?
If you are going to discuss your depression, anxiety, or other mental condition in your application, do so in a strategic manner for the purpose of illuminating otherwise unexplained inconsistencies in your academic record.
Can I say my name in my Common App essay?
The Common App allows you to enter information like your name, demographics, extracurricular activities, and more just once for every school that uses it. It’s also where you’ll encounter “The Common App Essay,” otherwise known as your personal statement (PS), which is what this guide will focus on.
Should I brag in my college essay?
When you’re writing your essay, it might be best to lead with your value. This makes the brag a bit more subtle and palatable. Tucking your brags and accomplishments into your personal statement is an art, not a science.
Where do you put your name on a college application essay?
Include your name on every piece of paper you send to a college admissions office. If you choose to head the essay with a title, place your name under it, centered, in the same font and styling as the body of your essay.
Can you use i in an essay about yourself?
Write in the First Person
You can narrate your story. You can provide an overview of what you learned from your experiences. However you choose to answer the prompt, we recommend writing in an active tone, and using “I” and “me” throughout your essay.
What can I use instead of you in an essay?
Replace instances of “you” in your essay either by using “individual” or “one” to refer to a single hypothetical person and using “people” to refer to a large group to whom something you’re saying applies. Replace instances of “your” in your essay by using the possessive forms of “individual,” “one,” and “people.”
How do you avoid using you in an essay?
Four ways to break the “you” habit include the following:
- Use nouns instead.
- Use indefinite pronouns (everyone, someone, anything) instead.
- Cut the “you” out altogether.
- Avoid giving commands (where “you” is the implied subject)
Can I write my college essay in third person?
Don’t write about yourself in the third person.
As a best practice, write your essay in the first person. After all, the essay is about you, so make sure it stays close to your personal perspective.
Can you use second person in a college essay?
Generally, it is best to avoid second person pronouns in scholarly writing because they remove the distance between the reader and the writer. Instead, try to use first or third person pronouns to enhance clarity. Most Walden programs and APA (2020) allow the appropriate use of first person.
Is it okay to use first person in academic writing?
APA prefers that writers use the first person for clarity and self-reference. To promote clear communication, writers should use the first person, rather than passive voice or the third person, to indicate the action the writer is taking.
How formal does a college essay have to be?
College essays aren’t formal, academic pieces of writing like those you write in your English classes. Instead, they should sound like you so the reader can figuratively hear your voice and get a sense of your personality. Here’s a good way to strike the right tone without being too informal.
What are colleges looking for in essays?
As part of the college application process, colleges ask prospective students for a personal essay in order to learn more about them. They want to see context on each student’s background, positive traits that the student could bring to campus, and examples of the student demonstrating those qualities.
How long are college essays usually?
The primary essay for your college application, often called a personal statement, is typically around 400-600 words. The Common App personal statement — which is used as the primary application essay by more than 800 colleges — must be 250-650 words.
