Are we sure that 11pt font is OK? Forum

[private_ryan]

There have been several threads in the past about font size on the personal statements, with the general consensus being 11 pt is OK/try to make it shorter though. Has anyone called the admissions offices to ask about font size? Harvard says explicitly on its website that 11 is OK, but what about the rest of the top 5/14?

[maroonzoon]

Old professors are going to be reading them. Want them to squint?

[bk1]

You can just trim your PS.

[ArchRoark]

UCLA says 12pt... that is the only one I have seen that specifically states greater then 11pt. I am pretty sure 11pt is an acceptable norm.

[private_ryan]

Thanks Tiva. I'm trying to trim as much as possible! Was just wondering if anyone has heard directly from the adcomms. does 11 really require squinting?

[Marionberry]

Old professors are going to be reading them. Want them to squint?

Is this true? I'm under the impression that most admissions committees are composed of professional admissions staff, and not faculty/professors. I know it didn't use to be like this, but I thought it had become much more compartmentalized.

[shoop]

What about resumes? I've looked at the samples on the Harvard admissions site and I'm pretty sure a lot of that is 9 or even 8.

[PoorOrpheus]

I submitted a PS and resume with a font size of 11pt to several schools in the T14 and there was no problem. Unless they explicitly state 12pt or higher, I wouldn't worry about going down just a step to 11pt. Any smaller than that and it becomes noticeable with most fonts.