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Should I avoid this in my personal statement? Most articles say spell out the full words for college essays - does the same apply for law school essays?

Yes. You should also avoid using contractions.

spell it out.

Use whatever sounds better. I used a couple contractions in mine. I think a more conversational and personal tone is better in a lot of cases, and sometimes contractions fit better with that. It doesn't really matter either way, though.

PKozi wrote:Yes. You should also avoid using contractions.

I was advised to stay away from them as well. I'd do it if I were you.

I learned to not use contractions in formal written work in 7th grade. Do not use them.

A personal statement is not a formal written work. It's personal.

Dany wrote:A personal statement is not a formal written work. It's personal.

Part of your application to a professional school. I stand by what I said.

Oh give me a break. I used contractions sparingly in my personal statement and did just fine. Admissions committee members are real human beings that want to get to know applicants (to the extent they even read personal statements at all), and you can be a good writer and still use contractions. It's really not a big deal in something personal and narrative in nature, like a PS.

Dany wrote:Oh give me a break. I used contractions sparingly in my personal statement and did just fine. Admissions committee members are real human beings that want to get to know applicants (to the extent they even read personal statements at all), and you can be a good writer and still use contractions. It's really not a big deal in something personal and narrative in nature, like a PS.

While I agree, please keep in mind that it only takes one asshole on an adcomm to screw you. Why take the chance?

Don't use 'em.

It's legitimately not a "chance" or a "risk" because they will not care.

If the tone/topic is a more casual one, I'm sure it's fine. Also, if they're going to keep you from going over two pages, use them.

I tend to write in a more formal tone so mine didn't have them, but I used a shit ton on my 1L finals and did fine.

Maybe err on the side of none, but if it sounds really stilted and weird without them, then use them. I highly doubt you'd get dinged for that