The Em Dash: Common App’s Secret Weapon (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Word Count)
So you’re applying to college, you’re sweating over your Common App essays, and you’re trying to squeeze every last word out of your carefully crafted prose. You’ve got your thesaurus handy, you’re cutting out unnecessary adjectives, and you’re even considering using contractions (gasp!). But wait, there’s a secret weapon in your arsenal, a punctuation mark that can help you shave off crucial words: the em dash.
The Em Dash: What’s the Big Deal?
For the uninitiated, the em dash is that long, elegant dash (–) that can add a touch of sophistication to your writing. It’s like a punctuation ninja, capable of adding emphasis, creating a dramatic pause, or even replacing commas, parentheses, or colons. It’s a versatile tool, and it can be your best friend when trying to stay within the Common App’s word count.
The Common App’s Word Count Shenanigans
Now, here’s the thing: the Common App has a rather… unconventional approach to word counting. While most word processors and online tools are fairly reasonable about how they count characters and words, the Common App seems to have a mind of its own.
For example, let’s take the humble em dash. If you type it with spaces on either side (like this: “I love pizza — but not pepperoni”), the Common App counts it as a full word! A word! For a dash! Seriously?
The Hack: Em Dashing with Confidence
But as any seasoned Common App warrior knows, there’s always a workaround. And in this case, the solution is surprisingly simple: ditch the spaces!
That’s right, if you remove the space around the em dash (like this: “beginning—phrase—end”), the Common App sees it as a single word. It’s a bit of a linguistic sleight of hand, but it works! And let’s be honest, who hasn’t felt the urge to pull a little magic trick when faced with a rigid word count?
The Common App’s (Unintentional) Gift
So, what’s the Common Application’s logic here? Perhaps they’re trying to encourage a more concise writing style. Or maybe they’re just trying to make our lives a little more challenging. Whatever the reason, this quirky word-counting quirk has inadvertently given us a secret weapon.
Em Dashing Your Way to Success
By mastering the art of the em dash, you can elevate your writing while staying within the Common App’s word count. It’s a win-win situation, and it might even impress the admissions officers with your cleverness.
But wait! There’s a catch. This em dash trick only works within the Common App’s word counter. When you submit your essays, the em dashes will still show up as proper em dashes, spaces and all. So don’t worry about confusing the admissions officers with your “secret code.” They’ll know what you’re doing, and they’ll appreciate your cleverness.
Em Dashing: A Word of Caution
While the em dash is a powerful tool, it’s important to use it wisely. Don’t overdo it, or your writing will start to look like a string of random dashes. Use it sparingly, and only when it enhances your writing.
In Conclusion
The em dash is a powerful tool that can help you navigate the challenging waters of the Common App word count. It’s a secret weapon that can help you craft compelling essays without sacrificing your voice or your style. So go forth and em dash with confidence!
Need More Help?
If you’re still struggling with the em dash or need further assistance with the Common App, don’t hesitate to connect with our JobLoving community. We’re here to help you navigate the college application process and make your dreams a reality.