<p>What's your opinion on this? Not insanely vulgar curse words, but the standard.</p>
<p>I would steer clear if at all possible, but if it is tasteful, necessary, and really adds to what you are trying to present, a standard curse word or two shouldn't be too bad. Just be very careful about it- you never know who might be reading your essay and you don't want to offend anyone too much!</p>
<p>To me, the use of curse words in a formal essay indicates a poverty of expression. I wouldn't recommend it.</p>
<p>But what if it was trying to create a certain rawness to an circumstance that requires such an emotion that would provoke profanity...such as walking onto to stage, about to perform a very important recital as part of a competition, and find that you have sweaty palms and can't remember note-by-note the opening to your first piece, which really freaks you out?</p>
<p>In that situation, pretty much everybody would say or think "@#!!$#, I can't remember anything." So how does including that distinguish you from the other applicants?</p>