Paragraphs with line breaks or starting from the next line with (tab)

Hi guys! I'll be sending off my application in a week or so. I've cut down my essay to meet the character limit, but I'm exceeding the lines limit. As it stands my personal statement has around 6 paragraphs with a line left between each.

I realised that I could meet the line limit simply by deleting that line and starting the next paragraph from the next line (and after pressing tab so there's an indent). However will this reflect badly on my personal statement and its readability? Is it a risk? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 1

Dominininc

Make it into 3 paragraphs with spacing?

Reply 2

Pinez772

UCAS cuts out tabs unfortunately :frown:

it's line spacing or block of text

Reply 3

Dominininc

Then no, just have it as a block.

Reply 4

foamroller23

Original post by Pinez772

UCAS cuts out tabs unfortunately :frown:

it's line spacing or block of text

Even starting from the next line is cut out? For example:

Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler fillerFiller filler filler filler filler filler
Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler Filler filler filler filler filler filler

Reply 5

Pinez772

Original post by foamroller23

Of course not, that’s not a tab that’s just starting from the next line

Reply 6

foamroller23

Original post by Pinez772

Of course not, that’s not a tab that’s just starting from the next line

Cool, got it. But when they receive the personal statement, they will view it as two paragraphs, right? Starting from the next line will still show some sort of division between paragraphs?

P.S. Sorry if I'm coming off as irritating or paranoid, it's just that I'm done with everything (characters, Predicteds, etc) - but this lines limit is the only thing that stops me from pushing the submit button..

Reply 7

Pinez772

The thing stopping you from pushing submit should be getting feedback from teachers and tutors etc not a line limit, I’m a random 18 year old who wrote her personal statement in three hours the night before her college’s internal deadline. All I know is that UCAS removes tabs

Reply 8

username5260072

Original post by foamroller23

Im literally going through the same thing. My plan is to remove as much "fluff" as I can without ruining the personal statement and just mush together some of the paragraphs if possible, just to make it aesthetically pleasing for the admissions people.

Reply 9

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Cut it down to retain your line breaks. You have plenty of time.

Look at each sentence individually and try to remove one word without losing the meaning of that sentence.

Improving the “tightness” of your PS and keeping a good layout will only benefit you. If you’re unable or unwilling to edit it down to include line breaks then you greatly increase the chance of admissions staff missing/skipping over something you think is important.