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Are you currently applying to college using the Common App platform and need to fill in the Common App essay section? You may be wondering if you need to include quotes in your essay. But is it really necessary to do so? This guide is here to answer this question, so read below for some more details regarding the use of quotes in your Common App essay.
Should You Include Quotes In Your Common App Essay?
The simple answer is that the inclusion of quotes is not mandatory, but you may do so if you wish. However that being said, the Common App essay is a way for admissions officers to get to know YOU - your thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. rather than quoting someone else.
If you do choose to include quotes in your Common App essay, be wary as they represent another person's ideas and words. You will need to provide a reference for all quotes used by stating the name of the person who said the quote. However, unless the quote has had a huge impact on your life or way of thinking (which for most students is not the case), it would be advisable for you to come up with your own catchphrases rather than quoting someone else. This will allow you to demonstrate your creativity to the admissions committee rather than relying on another person's words.
Regardless of whether or not you choose to add quotes in your essay, make sure you follow the formatting guidelines stated in this post here to ensure your essay meets all the formatting requirements.
We hope that this guide has helped you identify whether or not you should include quotes in your Common App essay. Good luck with your college applications!
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