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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What's the deal with college essay formatting?

Yo, I'm a little confused about the format for the college essay. Do schools prefer a specific style, like MLA or APA, or is it more of a freeform thing as long as it's legible and professional? Any tips would be awesome!

a year ago

Hey there! No worries about the formatting; I get this question a lot. Typically, college admissions essays aren't expected to adhere to formats like MLA or APA unless explicitly stated by the college. Your main goal should be clarity and readability. So, make sure your essay is double-spaced with a readable 12-point font, like Times New Roman or Arial. This makes it easier for admissions officers to read. A standard one-inch margin on all sides should work fine too.

Also, remember to include your name and possibly your high school name on the document, especially if you're submitting it separately from your application. I always suggest my students to have a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion to present their ideas coherently, but you can definitely let your creativity shine within that structure. If you're uploading your essay in a text box on the school's application portal, be mindful of any odd formatting changes and adapt as necessary. Good luck with your writing!

a year ago

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