I’ve recently been working on a college essay, and I have found myself in a conundrum. I’m trying to steer away from the cliches in college essays while remaining somewhat tame.
I’m not good with humor, and I often find myself in a crowd of unhappy faces when I tell a crass joke.
If anyone would like discuss this further, please pm me.
Stop telling “crass jokes”. And certainly don’t put anything remotely “crass” in your essay. My kids used a bit of self-deprecating humor to good effect. (But carefully not anything that raised any doubts about any qualities needed to succeed in college).
Adult adcoms are not your highschool posse. And sorry, but it’s very difficult for a hs kid to write humorously that works for an adult adcom.
Nothing wrong with laughing at one’s own jokes, but learn when it works in public and when to keep it to yourself. Epecially when your admit chances rest on your presentation, including what to write and how.
I’d love to sample your humor. I’ll message you.
Pro tip: Adcoms don’t think you’re as funny as you think you are.
My humor was centered on the absurdity of the university’s mascot. I used this to segue into a larger argument about the merits of the school, and how I might have to look past the mascot to find my place at the university.
While the structure of my essay is not wholly dependent on this humorous fragment, I believe it acts as a transition, a chance to reflect, an opportunity to plead my case, and an entertaining flair I can add on my essay.
My word choice is comparable to that of a satire in an attempt to convey that I am not serious about the contents of the joke while acknowledging its existence.
and YES, I agree with you: be mindful. My acceptance hinges on this letter (with the exception of my academic record). To convey this humor in a CORRECT way, I cannot be blunt. I have to be precise.
For further clarification, I don’t believe what I have devised is a “joke”, probably just humor. PM for further details if possible.
Thank you for your input.
I don’t think that pointing out the absurdity of the university’s mascot is a good idea if your goal is to be admitted to the school.
If you have to ask, then it’s not appropriate.
Seems creative & interesting. The execution is the key. If done skillfully, it could make a very favorable impression.
Hmmm… so you’re going to apply to a school and call their mascot “absurd”?
The reaction may very well be along the lines of “You’re a high school kid… who are you to tell us that our beloved tradition is absurd”?
I would tread very carefully.
What if it’s a banana slug ?
I like to keep an open mind. Creativity, originality & guts deserve a chance.
What if it is? They know it’s a banana slug, and for whatever reason they haven’t changed it.
I think we have to assume that the powers that be are at least as intelligent as a high school applicant. If there’s absurdity, then they’re aware of it, yet still keep the mascot.
I think that means they’re probably very attached to that banana slug mascot, and probably pretty protective of it.
I’m all for creativity, originality and guts. But the reader of your application- -the one who decides whether or not you get into Banana Slug University-- may not have the same feelings. Is this essay topic important enough to you to take that chance?
Unless it’s RISD, don’t do it. If it is RISD, have at it! B-)
I think if the humor is you, and is not forced, it can be very effective. My daughter was admitted to every school she applied to. Currently, this summer I proposed she make some money assisting kids from her former high school with their common app and other admissions essays. In order to do that, we went back and read her essays. The one to Dartmouth was about in second grade when she broke up a “wedgy incident” on the playground. She described the incident in hilarious detail, and it showed her personality. She ended it with talking about “hard-hitting” kindness and whether that was necessary. I think in so many essays the students are trying so hard to portray themselves as these serious people. If you can be funny, and it conveys your message, what is better than that!?
Lol, I think even RISD is tired of applicant comments about their mascot. There’s got to be something brighter and more relevant to write about.
OP. just don’t come across as trite or even vaguely dismissive. I presume this is the Why Us, not the Common App essay. They really want to know how you fit, what you know about the college that is meaningful to them, as gatekeepers.
Instead of insulting the mascot, maybe it would be better to praise it in an affectionate but tongue-in-cheek way. ie, “I am the kind of quirky independent thinker that is naturally drawn to the magnificent banana slug.” or “I knew from the moment I kissed the banana slug in fourth grade that I was destined for UCSC.”
Note to anyone wondering: specific UC campuses don’t have their own personal statements or essays, so the mascot in question is likely something other than the magnificent banana slug.
I think we all try make the impression we are “X”. But unless you truly have a lot experience being “X”, often it becomes unnatural and noticeably unfit.
Be who you truly are. If funny is not your forte then dont sell it. Try other things that make you special, one of a kind, the type of candidate that school “Y” is looking for.
Eveytime I try funny I end up looking like William Hung in front of Simon.