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Are contractions allowed in college essays? Are contractions allowed in college essays?
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Old 10-31-2006, 12:15 PM   #1
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Are contractions allowed in college essays?
A friend of mine proofread my admission essay and told me that I should get rid of all my contractions because professors don't like them. I thought these essay were supposed to be informal. What should I do?

Also, would anyone like to proofread my essay?
Last edited by starvedartist87 : 10-31-2006 at 12:20 PM.
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Old 10-31-2006, 12:18 PM   #2
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I've been wondering this too...
it seems strange not to use them, but I don't know what you're supposed to do...
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Old 10-31-2006, 02:19 PM   #3
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admissions essays are totally different from formal, academic essays that would be graded by professors. contractions are fine.
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Old 10-31-2006, 03:08 PM   #4
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In response to the title. They are not allowed. Colleges came together this summer at a conference in Kansas to ban contractions in all college essays. So, beware.
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Old 10-31-2006, 04:34 PM   #5
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Would anybody like to read my essay?
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Old 10-31-2006, 04:46 PM   #6
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the essay is about how you write. Not about how you think college admission officers want you to write. Do whatever you like and have fun
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Old 10-31-2006, 07:14 PM   #7
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Contractions = informal
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Old 10-31-2006, 07:34 PM   #8
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starvedartist87, I'll read your essay if you PM it to me.
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Old 10-31-2006, 08:37 PM   #9
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^Same here, PM me starvedartist!!!
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Old 10-31-2006, 11:02 PM   #10
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Quote:
Contractions = informal
College essays are not supposed to be formal.
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Old 11-01-2006, 02:30 AM   #11
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Okay, so if they're not allowed, and you want to use the word "goodbye", then you can't because 'goodybye' is a contraction of 'God be with you'?

Starvedartist: ME too! pm me!
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Old 11-02-2006, 12:06 AM   #12
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pm me too i fyou wish
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Old 11-02-2006, 07:23 AM   #13
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Yeah, that's a weird question. Use contractions please.

I'll read too!
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