<p>Hey maybe I'm just old-fashioned but is it ok to use the "s" word in an essay?
DS says he'll tone it down to "s-h-*-t". I suggested perhaps "crap" or "snot" but I'm still worried about this type of language. What would an MIT admission officer think?
Thank you!</p>
<p>I think they would think he is rather immature if he does not realise it is totally inappropriate to use a curse word in his essay. I was never naive enough to imagine my son never cursed but he did know where, when, and around whom it was not appropriate. If he insists on doing it that is his own risk. If I were an admissions officer he would go straight on the reject pile. I would be interested to hear what he decides.</p>
<p>its POSSIBLE that a curse word could make your essay unique and stand out if used appropriately and effectively. At a school as competitive as MIT, this effect would be beneficial. Would i do it? Definately not. BTW im not a parent</p>
<p>I'm not a parent either but here's my input.</p>
<p>I don't think he should use the "s" word because it is risky, but I don't think he should use a substitute such as "snot" because (in my opinion) it sounds somewhat...um well censored and kind of contrived. I think "crap" is good, so long as it fits in with the flow of the essay and if it's actually necessary. He may think it is, but it's probably not.</p>
<p>bad words reflect bad attitude
nothing else</p>
<p>It depends on its usage. Just because it's a curse word...doesn't make it illegal. You know?</p>
<p>I loathe foul language with a passion, but i fhe has TRULY good reason, then by all means go for it.</p>
<p>You'd probably better hope that the admission official isn't drinking or eating otherwise he/she may choke and die, which could affect his chances. I wouldn't particularly advise using maledictions, as the essay is supposed to convey a person's individual side and a foul mouth isn't exactly appealing attribute (coming from someone who swears). If he has a "good shot" then I would not recommend jeopardizing his chances; however, if it is a reach then, why not?</p>
<p>that might fly at a more liberal school, but not at MIT</p>
<p>the essay book by PR said admission officers don't like cuss words.
i suggest he doesn't use it...</p>
<p>Too extreme, even "crap" can probably be pushing it. The essay shows your personality; do you want to be seen as a person who swears in formal situations?</p>
<p>My cousin wrote the "s" word in his essay and he was admitted into yale law. go figure. </p>
<p>really depends on usage, circumstance, and the adcom. if you're son's willing to take the risk, and he feels that it's integral to his essay, that's his choice.</p>
<p>it depends entirely on context. if used well, they (MIT adcom specifically) definitely would not care. I think it's really important to be able to write your essay the way you want. It may not make a difference much to the essay, and the adcom probably wouldn't even have any memory of it during evaluation period, but as the writer it's somewhat damaging to feel censored. Damaging to your writing (the flow, the conceptualization, etc), I mean, not like, to your self respect. Hopefully you're more resilient than that.</p>
<p>Risky strategy.</p>
<p>As others have said: The usage needs to be really necessary and really add to the essay.</p>
<p>Here's how I would put it: The "cost" of using a strong and offensive word is very high. Does this word TRULY "earn its place" in the essay?</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>What would an MIT admissions officer think? Check out this blog entry from an MIT admissions officer: <a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/helping_your_parents_through_this_process/ive_got_99_problems_admissions.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/helping_your_parents_through_this_process/ive_got_99_problems_admissions.shtml</a></p>
<p>It's a list entitled "52 THINGS NOT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO BE ADMITTED TO MIT". Entry number 44: "Don't use profanity in your essay, even if you're quoting someone."</p>