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Do personal statements have to be typed in times new roman 12pt font? My PS is about 3 lines over two pages with those font settings, but if I change It to Arial 11pt font. My statement is exactly 2 pages long. Arial is a very readable font so I feel like it is acceptable... any thoughts?

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Garamond is a slightly smaller serif alternative to TNR. Definitely use that before you use Arial.

I'd bet that there's a way for you to edit your PS such that this is no longer an issue.

Comic sans

I forgot I could use 11.5. It is exactly two pages with 11.5 TNR. I checked out garamond and the serrif fonts. I feel like arial looks much more professional than either of those. But no matter, TNR beats them all.

Tushbush wrote:I forgot I could use 11.5. It is exactly two pages with 11.5 TNR. I checked out garamond and the serrif fonts. I feel like arial looks much more professional than either of those. But no matter, TNR beats them all.

For printed text (as opposed to online text), TNR and Garamond and other serif fonts are much more "professional." Arial is used for signs and headings, not body text.

Is it a problem if you extend the margins to fit the personal statement within 2 pages? My personal statement is 827 words long, but with one-inch margins all around, this is about 2.5 pages. I reduced the margins to 0.75 inch and 0.6inch (top and bottom) and 11pt font TNR and it fits on two pages even. Should I shorten the essay instead?

My DS (490 words) with the same margins comes to one page and two lines on the second page. Since this looks awkward, I reduced the font size to 10.5, is this ok as well?

collegebum1989 wrote:Is it a problem if you extend the margins to fit the personal statement within 2 pages? My personal statement is 827 words long, but with one-inch margins all around, this is about 2.5 pages. I reduced the margins to 0.75 inch and 0.6inch (top and bottom) and 11pt font TNR and it fits on two pages even. Should I shorten the essay instead?

My DS (490 words) with the same margins comes to one page and two lines on the second page. Since this looks awkward, I reduced the font size to 10.5, is this ok as well?

I wouldn't mess with the margins. Certainly not by that much. And 10.5 is too small. Shorten your essays.

collegebum1989 wrote:Is it a problem if you extend the margins to fit the personal statement within 2 pages? My personal statement is 827 words long, but with one-inch margins all around, this is about 2.5 pages. I reduced the margins to 0.75 inch and 0.6inch (top and bottom) and 11pt font TNR and it fits on two pages even. Should I shorten the essay instead?

My DS (490 words) with the same margins comes to one page and two lines on the second page. Since this looks awkward, I reduced the font size to 10.5, is this ok as well?

I may be alone on this, but I feel like the font should be consistent across the whole package. For example, I use an 11 point font for my resume to make it all fit on one page (with the blessing of the CSO) and use the same 11 point font for my cover letter even though I could use 12 point and the letter would still fit onto a single page. I feel like it ties the two of them together visually. I would do (and did do) the same thing with your personal statement and any other addenda.

DocHawkeye wrote:

collegebum1989 wrote:Is it a problem if you extend the margins to fit the personal statement within 2 pages? My personal statement is 827 words long, but with one-inch margins all around, this is about 2.5 pages. I reduced the margins to 0.75 inch and 0.6inch (top and bottom) and 11pt font TNR and it fits on two pages even. Should I shorten the essay instead?

My DS (490 words) with the same margins comes to one page and two lines on the second page. Since this looks awkward, I reduced the font size to 10.5, is this ok as well?

I may be alone on this, but I feel like the font should be consistent across the whole package. For example, I use an 11 point font for my resume to make it all fit on one page (with the blessing of the CSO) and use the same 11 point font for my cover letter even though I could use 12 point and the letter would still fit onto a single page. I feel like it ties the two of them together visually. I would do (and did do) the same thing with your personal statement and any other addenda.

This is valid, although probably not totally essential. I do agree that inconsistent margins on one essay compared to your other essays and addenda will definitely stand out.

Does anyone have any reservations against using Garamond 11.5pt font on a personal statement? I kind of like it personally...

Tushbush wrote:Does anyone have any reservations against using Garamond 11.5pt font on a personal statement? I kind of like it personally...

Unless a different font and/or size is specified by the school, Garamond 11.5 is fine.

rinkrat19 wrote:

Tushbush wrote:Does anyone have any reservations against using Garamond 11.5pt font on a personal statement? I kind of like it personally...

Unless a different font and/or size is specified by the school, Garamond 11.5 is fine.

This. No one cares unless the school (1) specifies a font and size, or (2) you're using ridiculously large or small font or using something like papyrus.