While brainstorming ideas for my college essays, I’ve discovered that the things that matter most to me come from serious experiences. I write with a more reflective tone than humorous… But whenever I read examples of “stellar” essays they seem incredibly witty and hilarious. To be honest, I do think it makes the writer more likable.
But, do college essays have to be funny and full of loud personality to be memorable?
Will heavy and dark experiences I consider life-changing be a poor choice to write about?
If I make my common app essay intense, should I attempt to write about more out-of-the-box ideas in the supplements?
Nowadays, I feel like originality is regarded as more important than being true to yourself. I don’t want to be cliché, but I don’t want to fabricate a unique, funny experience with a revelatory twist to show that I’m interesting.
Remember that you are reading a small sample of the thousands of successful admissions essays written every year.
No.
No, especially if you write with a reflective tone like you mentioned.
I don’t think that’s what admissions officers are generallylooking for. They want to get to know you and what makes you unique. What do you bring to their school that nobody else does? That doesn’t necessarily have to be a crazy, funny experience.
I don’t know what schools you’re applying to, but here is some information from the Harvard admissions website that applies to pretty much every school:
Essays are a way to tell admissions counselor something about yourself that is not elsewhere on the application. Speak in your own voice about something that is meaningful in your life. There is no need to be any particular way. If you naturally write in a reflective tone, then that is probably the best way for you to express yourself a strong and memorable essay.
I wrote my college essay about my first time cutting off my hair. My friend wrote hers about convincing her mother that she shouldn’t enter an arranged marriage later in life. Another person I know wrote his about having surgeries to correct a bone problem in his leg when he was younger. All of us did well in the college application process. If it doesn’t feel natural to you to make your essay witty and humorous, then don’t. The essay just needs to give the people who read it an idea of who you are.
I think it depends on the topic you need to write about. Of course, some of them are not funny at all. But I guess that when they’ve got something sunny it is more interesting. I usually write an essay trying to use as many funny details as I can and after I ask supreme essay guys to proofread it. That always works great.
@kenzystorm Thanks! I agree with you. My story created a very specific component of my personality, which is why it’s so important to me. But I wonder if it’s better to write something more geared towards my amibitions. I might not get the chance to clearly state what I love and why and what I’ve done to prove my success…However, I think I’ll stick with my original plan.
One frequently hears the advice, “Don’t write about the 3 D’s – Death, Disease, and Divorce.”
I would not take that as an absolute (surely many kids write on these topics and get accepted) nevertheless you should consider that these are somewhat common and downbeat and AOs probably have to build up a certain numbness to these topics. So a good one has to be really good.
@pickpocket Well I guess fortunately (and unfortunately), it’s not about the three Ds. It’s actually much darker than those, which worries me that it might be too shocking for admission officers.
Wow, @toolegittoquit , hard to imagine something much darker than the 3 D’s!
I guess I will further point out that Admissions Officers these days are on high alert to filter out students that they suspect may have crimminal activity, violent tendencies, instability, agression, etc. I’m certainly not suggesting you have any of these. But be very sure the school cannot read any of those into your essay wording. Good luck.
@pickpocket Ah, man. Guess I’m not going to college. (Just kidding). The situation itself was dark, but it all ended a few months ago. I even spoke to a counselor about it all and she said she found me very open and mentally healthy, so I never went back again. Everything ended up being okay. Yes, at many times I was fatigued and pretty emotional, but I think that is normal response to such things. The situation involved leaving school to go help a spiraling situation. It was worth the sacrifice to see an end to the whole thing.
Remember that your goal is to make them want you on campus. This is the one time in your life when you should not just focus on the most accurate answer to the prompt.
@intparent Yes, that is my main concern. But writing about the most impactful moment of my life I feel would help them understand me. I want them to admit me because they like me for who I am. Of course, I’m not going to make myself look bad, but I want to be as authentic as possible. I actually think my story ties my whole application together and makes my ECs even more meaningful. So, that’s good I think.
A general thought would be that this is an admissions committee. One can be authentic without revealing things that are more appropriate for a diary, a close friend, or a therapist. Most people are multifaceted, and can answer the prompts in multiple ways while remaining true to their nature.
@intparent I really respect your opinion on the matter. But i keep feeling like I should go for it. It’s the only thing I want to write about and I’m passionate about the subject. Maybe down the road, when I’m permitted by my parents to speak more openly about it, I can help people in similar situations. Thanks for all your advice, though. I understand that I should be cautious. I might ask one person who doesn’t know the situation at all to read it once I’m done and see what they think. If it isn’t moving or doesn’t come off well, I’ll change it.