<p>Well, if you’re going for informal, which is probably advisable in a college essay, “like” is just fine. Contractions are also fine:</p>
<p>“I feel like I’m a detective trying to solve the case.”</p>
<p>Well, if you’re going for informal, which is probably advisable in a college essay, “like” is just fine. Contractions are also fine:</p>
<p>“I feel like I’m a detective trying to solve the case.”</p>