Humor in College Essays

     As the November 1st early action deadline is approaching for many schools, 12th grade students all over the country are rushing to make last minute changes or even begin their essays. But when it comes to following a prompt, where is humor appropriate?

    A big question that's been on my mind in the college application process is to incorporate humor in my essays or to not. I question what the admission officers dread of reading, and whether or not humor is appropriate to incorporate into my essay. It's a tough spot to be in, as we saw in our class discussion humor can do a lot for a literary piece, but a college essay? I understand that admissions want to hear our voice, but my humor may be a lot different than whoever is reading my essay.

    It's truly a gamble when you think about it; this is your lasting impression on the people who are deciding your fate for the next 4+ years. If I were to incorporate humor in my essay, the admission officers could decide that they totally hate it and ruin my chance for admission. Or, on the other hand, they could find it enlightening and interesting and become drawn to the humor. 

    I think it's fairly safe to say that with a more seldom story, humor could probably be skipped in the writing process. With satire, it’s a risk but if done correctly, could produce a really captivating read. Irony here and there is a safe bet, as long as it’s not overdone.

    At the end of the day, I don't think it hurts to incorporate some humor into a college essay, as long as it's appropriate to the story, and there are no raunchy jokes being made. It could enhance the tone, but not in an overwhelmingly literary sense. You want them to hear your voice, after all. Add humor at your own risk!