<p>I've started writing first drafts of my essays for MIT (based on previous year's questions). One complaint my "editor" (mother) has is that it's too "informal." Now, it uses perfectly formal language, but every here or there I throw in a slightly comedic phrase, such as describing something as a "25/7 job", or calling an MIT degree "one of the most respected degrees in the known universe." My mother says that this is far too informal and not appropriate for a college essay. She also feels that my "100 words or less" essays should not be 104 and 108 words. Based on my perception of MIT, I feel that this infusion of personality is integral to my essay, and also that 8 words over the limit is not the end of the world.</p>
<p>Am I correct, or is my idolatry of MIT blinding me? Thank you for any help!</p>
<p>Expressing your personality is the main point of an essay. However, make sure it’s evident in your essay that your comedic phrases are there for that reason, otherwise you may not come across the way you want to lol</p>
<p>First of all, thank you for replying so late at night! (Well, technically early in the morning if you’re on the East coast.) The comedy’s far and few between, maybe one or two per essay. I’m just being told over and over that this is a 150% serious process, and a joke is a serious taboo.</p>
<p>Well I am pretty sure that being 100% serious in your essay will make you seem like you’re trying to give MIT what you think they want. I would just try to express yourself in a professional, yet personal manner</p>
<p>And, (not to discredit the response I’ve already gotten) if anyone else would like to voice their opinion, please, I’d love to hear another voice.</p>
<p>MIT enforced a strict word limit last year, so I would suggest you to stick to it. Also, I would write in a personal voice but I would avoid jokes, reason being since the admission officers have never met you, it’s very possible that they don’t get the joke or can’t interpret it along your personality. Jokes are not necessarily a taboo, but just be aware that they may not come across the way you want them to.</p>
<p>IMO, you should write how like yourself in your own voice… don’t purposely make your essay so formal that it isnt your voice in the form that truly represents you. On the other hand, don’t crack jokes just because you feel it is necessary. I promise that anything forced won’t sound as “good” as your natural writing.</p>
<p>^ that’s true. Honestly, I doubt top schools buy adulation from applicants, considering it’s glaringly obvious that they indeed are extremely outstanding institutions.</p>
<p>Being a little comedic and nonchalant is great. However, I am a little concerned that you mentioned ‘calling an MIT degree “one of the most respected degrees in the known universe”.’ I would strongly avoid using any reference to the prestige of an MIT degree unless it absolutely is necessary to show who you really are. MIT knows how highly ranked its degrees are without you having to tell it. It might only have a negative effect. Good luck!</p>
<p>i agree with mcr11… but also make sure its your voice, not your moms or someone elses
i would have a friend/teacher read to see if they get the humor. if they do, thats good. if they dont, you may have to fix something. sometimes you write things that may seem funny to you but dont come across that way to others. expressing your ideas so they can be understood by others is probably the hardest part of writing anything, from an admissions essay to a novel</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone for you input.
And to clarify, the “most respected degree in the known universe” bit had nothing to do with why I want to go to MIT, it was part of a convoluted explanation that was dropped altogether. I have no idea why I’m posting this, but I am anyway!
Again, thanks to everyone!</p>
<p>I think you should add humor as long as it’s not sarcasm that can be misinterpreted by the admissions officer. People want interesting applicants! Not the same generic essays. I liked the 25/7 idea. I thought it was funny and it would make you more memorable as an applicant.</p>
<p>For highly competitive schools, they want unique people. Having a sense of humor is a good thing!</p>
<p>Your mom doesn’t have to love the essay - but you should, and probably have a few teachers and friends read it too. But they always say don’t have too many people read it or you might lose your own voice in their comments.</p>