Contractions and abbreviations in essays

[andrewRA4]

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Is this acceptable for things like PS? Secondaries?

For ex. I am talking about things like: don't, didn't, or TUSOM for Tulane

 

[mrh125]

Is this acceptable for things like PS? Secondaries?

For ex. I am talking about things like: don't, didn't, or TUSOM for Tulane

I definitely would use contractions. they've saved me so much time with ridiculous length requirements such as those for tulane and ucla.

 

[MrLogan13]

Personally, I would not use contractions. It seems way too informal to me. It's wholly possible to have your personality show through your writing without using contractions.

 

[Frostbite22]

I think a few here and there are alright, but not all over the place. Usually contractions can be replaced with something better.

 

[andrewRA4]

Personally, I would not use contractions. It seems way too informal to me. It's wholly possible to have your personality show through your writing without using contractions.

I think a few here and there are alright, but not all over the place. Usually contractions can be replaced with something better.

What are your thoughts about using school name abbreviations? Like TUSOM.

 

[Frostbite22]

What are your thoughts about using school name abbreviations? Like TUSOM.

To start something out use the full name. After that it is okay to use an abbreviation, but once again, don't use too many times. I mean if you are writing an essay for Tulane they know you are writing it for them, so stating it once fully should be sufficient.

 

[el_duderino]

Depends on the essay. In general I would say avoid them, but if you're going for a certain style, and you have the writing chops to pull it off, you can use them effectively.

But here's a protip: you're not nearly as good at writing as you think you are. I don't mean that as an insult or anything, it's just true in general. If you think you could write a short story and have it published, then maybe you can do it. But you can't.

 

[Doctor Strange]

In general, you shouldn't use contractions at all in a formal document like your personal statement or applications. It looks unprofessional. You can get away with abbreviations for schools, however.

 

[claduva94]

I think contractions can be appropriate. I was having issues with my writing being too formal or scientific paper-like. I used contractions to try to fix some of that in order to create a more personal tone (and my whole theme was about gravitating towards personal interactions in medicine).

 

[TooMuchResearch]

No contractions. The 's for ownership is okay.

 

[Person0715]

There are so many varying opinions. Hope some adcoms can chime in~

 

[TooMuchResearch]

There are so many varying opinions. Hope some adcoms can chime in~

No contractions. The 's is okay for possession. Professional writing 101. Standard junior high/middle school content.

 

[DokterMom]

Acronyms - Fine, but use the full name once first to introduce the acronym. Unless it's one that's universally known to your audience such as the school's acronym.
Contractions - Would not use them in your personal statement unless you've thought about it very carefully and are using for tone. OK in moderation in your secondaries.
Possessives - Not even controversial. Avoiding them can be awkward and verbose.

 

[LizzyM]

I can tolerate a contraction now & then in a PS that has a more conversational style. For example, if the opening sentence was, "As a kid, I didn't realize that doctors did not have super powers." I'd be okay with that first contraction.
Acronym for the name of the school on a secondary. I'm okay with that and I would not say that you need to spell it out the first time although there is nothing wrong with doing so either. On a PS, where you might say that you shadowed a doctor at MSKCC, not so good as it might not be familiar to people in every region & specialty.

 

[gettheleadout]

No contractions. The 's is okay for possession. Professional writing 101. Standard junior high/middle school content.

Very basic and generalized advice IMO. Makes for a boring writing style for average writers.