Click here to explore thousands of successful college essay exemplars!
Are you a high school senior thinking of applying to college using the Common App platform? If so, you will need to write and submit the Common App essay which is a vital part of your application. You may be wondering what tone to use when structuring your essay - look no further as this post is here to help clarify the ideal tone that should be used for a Common App essay to ensure you have a competitive submission!
What Is The Ideal Tone For A Common App Essay?
The Common App essay is a way for admissions officers to get to know you outside of grades, test scores, and academics so the most ideal tone for a Common App essay should be a casual or informal tone. Unlike other college essays that have a more academic and formal focus (such as the UCAS personal statement), the Common App essay often has prompts that require students to write about events and anecdotes from their personal lives, such as overcoming struggles, expressing gratitude, describing an aspect of their identity, etc. Such topics are conversational and are best expressed in a casual tone as they are not heavy topics and do not require a formal or academic tone. You should use a casual tone that reflects your natural style of talking or writing, as this would help make your essay feel more genuine and allow the reader to connect more deeply to your narrative.
We hope this guide has helped you gain some clarity regarding what is the best tone to use in your Common App essay. Good luck with your college applications!
The Fast Track To Your
Best IB Coursework & College Essays
All content on this website has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate and IB are registered trademarks owned by the International Baccalaureate Organization.