<p>hey everyone, I have a question about college essays. </p>
<p>Ive already submitted 3/5 applications, and am about to submit my fourth one with my essay that is finished. Every application so far has had a different essay specific to the topic that the school has offered(and personalized for the university). Anyway my style of writing is generally very sarcastic and funny. Sometimes it points at stereotypes(although no racial or offensive stereotypes) of society, but everyone who reads my essays think they are funny. </p>
<p>So far ive noticed that all of my friends essays and people on CC have very serious essays that seem almost fake to me. My question is, from your experience, is humor usually the best way to go in college admissions? Especially if its creative and unusual.</p>
<p>Humor might work in your favor if it relieves the boredom of the adcom. But it is also more risky because people differ about what is "funny". Make sure you get some opinions of adult readers outside you immediate family. Maybe from your English teacher? Guidance counselor? or from CC. You can PM me --but I'm no expert on what admissions professionals find funny--I'm an English teacher (EFL) and a parent.</p>
<p>Humor is a very personal thing. Look at "funny" movies: Something About Mary was extremely funny to me, but the people that I had gone to the theater with to see it couldn't believe that they wasted the ticket money. The 40 Year Old Virgin was extremely offensive to me, but my son thought it was very funny. It's hard to make a comedy that pleases everyone.</p>
<p>I think it's the same with essays. Even if many people think it's funny, some may not, and you run the risk that the reader may be in that second group. </p>
<p>The other problem with sarcastic humor is that a frazzled reader - yours might be essay number 138 that day - might not see the sarcasm right away.</p>
<p>Anyway, humor often works, but it is risky.</p>