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Is humor acceptable in a college essay?

I feel that humor is a big part of my personality and I think it would help showcase who I am in my college essay. Is using humor in college essays generally acceptable, or should I stick to a more formal tone? Thanks in advance for any advice!

11 months ago

It's great that humor is an important aspect of your personality! In general, it's perfectly acceptable to incorporate humor into your college essay, as long as it supports the overall message you want to convey. Keep the humor tasteful and relevant to your essay's purpose.

However, do strike a balance between humor and the formal tone. Remember that admissions officers read hundreds of essays, and striking that balance can potentially make your essay stand out. Be cautious about using humor that could be misinterpreted or offensive.

My suggestion would be to get feedback from multiple sources (teachers, mentors, and/or peers) to ensure the humor translates well and doesn't detract from your essay's primary points.

Best of luck with your college essay, and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through!

11 months ago

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