contractions in personal statements Forum

[Anonymous User]

should they be used or not?

[SumStalwart]

I avoided them. They seem a little too casual, for me. That isn't to say that I haven't seen some amazing PS's that used contractions. Try it out with contractions, and, if it seems too awkward, get rid of them.

Are you going to have TLS look over your PS? If that's the case, just write it and show it to us.

[Cobretti]

Sum is right. It is totally fine to use them, but just make sure it fits with what you're saying.

[LoveLife89]

Avoid. It is really shocking that people other basic gramma rules. Contractions are for colloquial writing. Unless you see your PS as such, it should not be used. Check the Purdue owl or Stanford or any other grammatical search.

[paratactical]

It is really shocking that people other basic gramma rules.

This sentence negates your ability to comment on grammar choices with any seriousness.

[Cobretti]

I am looking for the link right now... but I know for a fact I've read adcoms that said contractions were acceptable. Speaking slightly colloquially can create a more personal experience for the reader, and let them get a better feel for you, so some prefer it. Everyone is different though, so can't use that as a blanket statement.

[LoveLife89]

It is really shocking that people other basic gramma rules.

This sentence negates your ability to comment on grammar choices with any seriousness.

haha, I apologize. I typed that on my phone.

http://www.waycross.edu/faculty/selby/1101/rules.html
http://blog.paperrater.com/2010/02/contractions.html
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/contractions.htm

Just a few....I cannot find the Purdue Owl and Stanford tip, but these should do.