Size 11 vs. Size 12 Font Forum

[HopefulSplitter0000]

Sorry, I know I have many questions, but here is another one:

My PS, including the heading, is just over two pages. The current font is Times New Roman, Size 12.

If I change the font from size 12 to size 11, I can reduce the length to exactly two pages. Most schools' requirements are somewhat vague (i.e. "readable" font), whereas others ask for size 11 or 12. Should I reduce my font size to 11 to make the length nicer? If I do, should I change my resume to follow suit?

[cavalier1138]

Edit the PS instead of messing around with fonts and margins. I guarantee you can write a decent PS in two pages without weird formatting.

[HopefulSplitter0000]

Edit the PS instead of messing around with fonts and margins. I guarantee you can write a decent PS in two pages without weird formatting.

Alright. I'll do my best.

[HopefulSplitter0000]

Edit the PS instead of messing around with fonts and margins. I guarantee you can write a decent PS in two pages without weird formatting.

Update: I got my personal statement down to exactly two pages using standard formatting. Times New Roman 12, 1-inch margins all around.

Do you by chance know the expected length for diversity statements and other supplements? I read "The Law School Admissions Game," but it did not specify length requirements for supplemental essays, and I cannot seem to find much online.

[Pozzo]

Edit the PS instead of messing around with fonts and margins. I guarantee you can write a decent PS in two pages without weird formatting.

Update: I got my personal statement down to exactly two pages using standard formatting. Times New Roman 12, 1-inch margins all around.

Do you by chance know the expected length for diversity statements and other supplements? I read "The Law School Admissions Game," but it did not specify length requirements for supplemental essays, and I cannot seem to find much online.

Unless a school specifies otherwise, keep it to one page double spaced.

[HopefulSplitter0000]

Unless a school specifies otherwise, keep it to one page double spaced.

Done. Thank you.

[pavementfan]

would like to know a good answer to this question,

is 11 double spaced fine, as long as its within two pages. I do understand that one could write a phenomenal PS with size 12 and that it is indeed enough room, but would also like to hear from people who used 11 in past cycles

[dvlthndr]

Harvard says:

"Please limit your statement to two pages using a minimum of 11-point font, 1-inch margins, and double spacing,"

Some schools might require 12-point font. But I can't think of any off the top of my head. If you are applying to the whole T14 and want to only write a single essay, maybe you are safer doing it in 12-point font to begin with. But there is nothing inherently wrong with 11-point.

For schools that don't give guidelines, the best advice is to use common sense. Nobody wants to see an essay written in single-spaced Comic Sans. That said, you are going to be totally fine with 11-point, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, and double spacing.

[The Lsat Airbender]

Many word processors default to 11pt Calibri nowadays so they're probably setting the bar there to avoid needing to reject/request revisions from a huge number of people who are benignly using Google Docs or Word. I'd go with 12pt personally. TNR versus Calibri is a matter of taste.

[QContinuum]

Many word processors default to 11pt Calibri nowadays so they're probably setting the bar there to avoid needing to reject/request revisions from a huge number of people who are benignly using Google Docs or Word. I'd go with 12pt personally. TNR versus Calibri is a matter of taste.

Perhaps this is a sign of being overly risk-avoidant, but I agree with the recommendation to use 12-point font. While the risk of using 11-point font is probably minimal (I imagine it'd be pretty rare to have an adcom ding an applicant for the temerity of using 11-point font...), there's zero benefit. With a little finessing, anything that'd make the length limit using 11-point font can be trimmed to make the limit using 12-point font.

[KILIYA]

Many word processors default to 11pt Calibri nowadays so they're probably setting the bar there to avoid needing to reject/request revisions from a huge number of people who are benignly using Google Docs or Word. I'd go with 12pt personally. TNR versus Calibri is a matter of taste.

If I change the font from size 12 to size 11, I can reduce the length to exactly two pages. Most schools' requirements are somewhat vague (i.e. "readable" font), whereas others ask for size 11 or 12. Should I reduce my font size to 11 to make the length nicer? If I do, should I change my resume to follow suit?

[cavalier1138]

Many word processors default to 11pt Calibri nowadays so they're probably setting the bar there to avoid needing to reject/request revisions from a huge number of people who are benignly using Google Docs or Word. I'd go with 12pt personally. TNR versus Calibri is a matter of taste.

If I change the font from size 12 to size 11, I can reduce the length to exactly two pages. Most schools' requirements are somewhat vague (i.e. "readable" font), whereas others ask for size 11 or 12. Should I reduce my font size to 11 to make the length nicer? If I do, should I change my resume to follow suit?

If you edit your PS, you can reduce the length to exactly two pages without playing ridiculous formatting games.