I’m not saying play it safe, and not even saying don’t use profanity. I just think that the worst essays I have read result from an applicant trying too hard to be “memorable” or “creative.” I think it is good to remember that essays are intended to tell the college something about yourself. If your writing style is an essential part of who you are, well then, I guess go for it. But be careful. And remember there is beauty in ordinariness. I know a kid who got into Harvard writing about her mom’s blueberry muffins.
One of Vonnegut’s characters said “it gives people who don’t want to hear an excuse not to listen.”
It’s your gamble; know the odds.
@marygj’s D probably has able to sink exactly the type of shot that @JHS was referring to, which is not easy to do. My daughter. without using any profanity, managed to show some irreverence and boldness – and even an occasional dick joke (but she did so only in the context of talking about Renaissance art/literature). In one essay, she had a remark about butt-kissing – but again, it was in the context of discussing a Greek statue. Another example I can think of – when asked by an ivy what she would bring to a roommate/suite living situation – her answer was that she has “a vast array of dirty jokes and cheesy puns” and that she’s always willing to share. She got in everywhere she applied, including HYPS. She did not, however, use gratuitous profanity as in the example you provided.
Many of the admin officers we talked to wanted to know that the essay was truly in the student’s voice. I recall one specifically saying in an info session that they had gotten a wonderful essay by a student who started it off with the long profane quotes from “The King’s Speech” - but worked it into how they related to the character, with a terrible stutter, and how seeing the movie helped them gain personal confidence, etc. This admin officer told the group about this essay, without using the actual profanity, to emphasize that the student’s voice is what must come through for them to want to admit a candidate.
Essays can be about anything, and can certainly contain profanity, but they have to be genuine.
My son used profanity in his essay (the f word even!!) because it accurately portrayed the slurs he experienced and fought back against. While it was a big risk, It was his story and he wasn’t going to sugar coat it! He was accepted to EVERY school he applied to including IVYs.
I think it is probably okay, but it seems to introduce a risk depending on the reader. I think it has to add something to the essay to be worth the risk. If you think it really helps, then maybe draft the essay both ways and ask a few people to read them over and give you feedback.
A very skilled writer can get much more leeway using profanity, while an average writer just falls flat and lands their essay right into the “No” pile.
Just because it has profanity doesn’t mean it is humorous. It will certainly be memorable but not in a good way. Why don’t write about a creative topic or in a humorous writing style if you want to engage the reader and be memorable? Using profanity to standout will have an adverse effect.
“it accurately portrayed the slurs he experienced and fought back against.”
This is an example of the best reason to use profanity: because you’re quoting what someone said during an important event in your life. I’ve given my blessing to essays along those lines.
As several others have said, I think there’s a huge difference between QUOTING profanity (as in #24) and USING profanity. I would also be careful of too much slang in general - I, for example, have no clue what a “tiger mom” is, although I can guess from context.
It would take a skilled writer to pull off the use of profanity. In the OP’s case I don’t think he/she should take the risk.