Singular They in Personal Statement?

[doohgk]

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How formal is the personal statement supposed to be? I'm wondering if it's ok to use a singular they. With a 5300 character limit I don't want to say "his or her" (plus I think that just sounds dumb anyway).

Example: Nothing made me happier than the look of excitement on a student's face when they achieved their goal.

Would this be as detrimental to my application as having words misspelled?
Thank you.

 

[Quarterhorse]

I’m far from an authority on anything, but I’d avoid it as I’m pretty sure it’s still considered grammatically incorrect. “His or her” is cumbersome and I don’t even know if it’s still considered politically correct.

If you aren’t referring to one specific student, maybe just use plural “they”? As in, “nothing made me happier than seeing the look of excitement on students’ faces when they achieved their goals.”

 

[Lawpy]

How formal is the personal statement supposed to be? I'm wondering if it's ok to use a singular they. With a 5300 character limit I don't want to say "his or her" (plus I think that just sounds dumb anyway).

Example: Nothing made me happier than the look of excitement on a student's face when they achieved their goal.

Would this be as detrimental to my application as having words misspelled?
Thank you.

Yes you can use singular they

English has a traditional solution to gender-neutral pronouns

 

[Lucca]

Singular they is grammatically correct and appropriate in formal writing and has always been

 

[EvenStevens]

singular they is the way!