Do You Capitalize Editor In Chief Common App

Do You Capitalize “Editor in Chief” on the Common App? The Great Title Case Debacle

You’re filling out the Common App, meticulously crafting your essays, and suddenly a question pops up: Do you capitalize “Editor in Chief” when listing your activities? You’ve spent hours researching the perfect font and making sure your essays are free of grammatical errors, and now this seemingly innocuous detail is throwing you off your game.

Hold your horses, aspiring college student. We’re here to break down the capitalization conundrum of “Editor in Chief” and give you the confidence to conquer the Common App with style (and proper grammar).

Let’s Get Down to Business: The Basics

The capitalization of “Editor in Chief” hinges on how it’s used in a sentence. Here’s the golden rule:

• Capitalize job titles when used as proper nouns (meaning they refer to a specific person).
• Use lowercase when used as common nouns (meaning they refer to the general position).

Think of it like this: You’d say “The editor-in-chief of the magazine made the final decision,” but “Editor-in-Chief John Doe announced the new editorial policy.” In the first sentence, “editor-in-chief” is a general job title. In the second, it becomes part of John Doe’s formal title, making it a proper noun.

So, What About the Common App?

The Common App has its own set of guidelines, so let’s decipher those for you. The general rule is to capitalize job titles when they appear in a list of people with titles (like when you’re listing your activities).

Here’s how to navigate the Common App title case maze:

1. “Editor in Chief” on the Common App: If you’re listing your experiences as “Editor in Chief” of your school paper, you should capitalize it. This is because you’re referring to your specific position and not a general occupation.
2. Don’t Overthink It: It’s tempting to overanalyze every detail, but remember, the Common App is about showcasing your achievements and expressing yourself. Focus on describing your experiences in a clear and concise way.
3. Follow the Specific Instructions: Always remember to double-check the Common App guidelines and any specific instructions from the colleges you’re applying to. They might have their own style preferences.

Beyond the Common App: The Big Picture of Title Case

Capitalizing job titles isn’t just a Common App quirk – it’s a fundamental grammar rule with far-reaching consequences.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Formal Titles: Titles like “President,” “Senator,” “Chief,” and “Queen” are usually capitalized when they precede a name, but not after. So, “President Biden” is correct, but “Joe Biden, president” is not.
• Job Titles in Writing: Generally, job titles are not capitalized in writing unless they are part of a formal title directly preceding a person’s name. So, “The director of marketing made a presentation,” but “Marketing Director Jane Smith presented the new campaign.”
• Style Guides: Different style guides (like the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, or the MLA Handbook) have their own rules for capitalization. Be sure to check the specific style guide for your publication or field.

The Title Case Take Away: The beauty of the English language lies in its nuances and flexibility. Understanding the difference between common nouns and proper nouns, and the proper usage of titles, will allow you to express yourself with clarity and confidence.

Need More Help?

Don’t let the complexities of title case weigh you down! If you need further guidance on navigating the Common App, or any other writing challenges, feel free to connect with us at the JobLoving community. We’re here to help you shine, one comma at a time.