Contraction in personal statement??

elisajelley

Hey @"David.Busis" and @"micah.bateman" , what's the word on contractions in personal statements? I've noticed that many of the sample PS's in the essay bank contain them, but I can't decide if they're right for my essay?

Thanks!

Cant Get Right

PS's aren't so formal as to need to avoid contractions. Then again, I'm at a complete loss as to when and why they're ever considered improper in the first place, lol. For what it's worth, I used them freely in my own admissions essays and everything turned out fine.

David Busis

Yes—contractions are totally fine! In fact, they're encouraged.

Speak like a human!

When we edit personal statements, we see people tying themselves into formal knots in their first drafts. Then we ask some questions and tell people to respond casually, and at least half the time, the casual responses are more vivid, forthcoming, and direct—that is, better—than the essay's original prose.

elisajelley

Thank you @"Cant Get Right" and @"David.Busis" ---- exactly the info I needed!