Hi- Random question. In a lot of sample essays that I have read, the authors use contractions. I know that these essays allow room for storytelling and creativity- but contractions were a big NO in college and out of habit I don't write essays with contractions. Do contractions help give a more natural voice, especially in the age of AI?
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This isn't where the decision on your file is going to be made so don't sweat it. But with that said, I feel like this is the "is it ok for me to bring my iced coffee to an interview" question for the law school admissions world. There's admittedly a generation gap here (ie, it was drilled into my 1st and 2nd grade mind that one never used contractions in formal writing, but I gather it's not as big a deal now). However, mine is the generation reading your file. So I think it's better to err on the side of caution and not bring your iced coffee / just use formal English here.
I have wondered about it myself and gotten some conflicting advice on this matter. In my view and from the successful example essays I've read, it's best to avoid contractions if it sounds natural. This isn't an academic paper, so if saying "do not" instead of "don't" sounds weirdly out of place, go with "don't." I sincerely doubt any adcoms will dock you points for that, and I think staying true to your writing "voice" can only help.
The consultants I have worked with recommend against it
I think that contractions are way more natural. I don't think of these essays as "formal" in a sense, because they WANT you to show who you are. Plus it cuts down on valuable space for more substance!