Dissecting college paper formats

A little bit puzzled over here. Between MLA and APA, which format is more commonly used in college? Does it vary a lot by major or is there a more universal preference?

In general, the use of MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association) formatting often depends on the academic field. Typically, humanities disciplines such as English literature, philosophy, and language studies more commonly use MLA formatting, while fields in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and economics, employ APA formatting.

However, it's essential to clarify that this is more of a general guideline rather than a strict rule. Some colleges and even specific professors within the same discipline might have preferences that don't strictly align with the broader norms.

For instance, a sociology course could use MLA instead of APA depending on the professor's preference or for certain projects. The same goes for an English class that might choose APA for a research-focused assignment.

Ultimately, the choice between MLA and APA usually relates to what's conventional in a specific field and the type of source material commonly used in that discipline. Nevertheless, always remember to check the specific guidelines provided by your professor or department for each assignment.

To summarize, there's no universal formatting preference across all colleges because it boils down to the specifics of your major, course, and assignment. If in doubt, it's best to ask your professor or consult your course syllabus.