using an ampersand

[sloken]

is anyone using ampersand's in their personal statements to cut down on characters?

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[aphistis]

is anyone using ampersand's in their personal statements to cut down on characters?

Technically, they're not normally considered appropriate for formal writing. That said, it's not a big deal, and I commonly use them in my own writing for any of a number of different reasons.

If, however, you're running that short on space, conjunction-shaving may not be the best solution. If you can find the space by tightening the essay elsewhere (4500 characters is a *lot* of attention to ask from someone who's reading 150 essays that day), you solve two problems at once.

 

[DGDDS]

Also, I doubt it would be a problem with AADSAS (or they would mention it), but if there is any encoding anywhere in the application process (at AADSAS, or on a school sever), an ampersand can sometimes mess it up. Best not to risk it.

 

[dru180]

Its interesting that i have seen so many threads on this subject (trying to find ways to sneak a few extra words into their personal statement). Everyone remember, this is supposed to be a professionally written piece of literature. As such, it should contain all of the the traditional spaces, paragraphs, punctuation, etc! . Furthermore, everyone should be thinking quality, not quantity. What you write should be succinct and to the point. Don't try and stretch something that could be said in 1 sentence into 3. If you just can't seem to manage getting everything in on one page, try narrowing your focus or working with someone to proof each draft.

Corollary: You should be going over each successive draft with somebody anyway. It will make your life MUUUCCCCHHHH easier, and your paper MUUUCCCHHH better! It took me like 15-20 drafts before I had my decided on my final copy.


I know I wrote a bit more than this thread was about, but it was the most stressful part of my application. I hope this helps a bit.

 

[Hysteria24]

Its interesting that i have seen so many threads on this subject (trying to find ways to sneak a few extra words into their personal statement)..... Furthermore, everyone should be thinking quality, not quantity.

I agree, there has been a lot of these threads. One about no spaces after periods, now replacing the word "and" with a symbol. Please.... Maybe everyone should use all those abbreviations in the texting commercials on tv these days.

Just remember there is a limit for a reason. Say what you need to say within this limit and don't cut corners.

 

[sloken]

I took the advice of all my editors, as well as you guys, and axed the &'s and made the length more succinct. However, a particular story in my essay involves a lot of numbers, and I elected to use numerals the majority of them.