<p>As a person I pride myself on my humorous qualities. Throughout high school my humorous behavior and outlook has allowed me to keep on going even when I really thought I had hit rock bottom. </p>
<p>My question here is that I am not sure whether to make my college essays humorous, or serious and sincere. I am all three of the above, however I feel that my humor is what makes me stand out from a lot others. I feel like if I write essays that are serious my humor wont stand out. At the same time I feel like if I write humorous essays I will look like a total joke to the admissions departments of top notch schools that I am applying to.</p>
<p>This is humor that would appeal to adult stranger-adcoms, not just funny in hs stuff? And, it’s not mean or edgy? Then, maybe you can be humorous. But, understand you have very few words to make your point and no visual cues or context to accompany those words. Little bits can show all sorts of strengths- confidence, balance, interesting perspective, etc. The wrong notes are deadly. </p>
<p>Maybe the compromise is writing about how your “humorous behavior and outlook has allowed me to keep on going even when I really thought I had hit rock bottom.”</p>
<p>I’ve seen some great essays that used humor wisely- just the right touch in appropriate spots. There are lots of warnings out there that hs kids should be very careful about assuming their humor will come across as, well, humorous.</p>
<p>I think working the “how it got you through” angle could be a nice balance of serious and fun. You can paint yourself as the kid who learned how a little humor can ease tensions- not only your own, but for the group. Come across as a nice kid, balanced, grounded, caring.</p>
<p>One issue could be how adcoms view your judgment- what you insert and the point you ultimately make. Eg, I read an essay where the kid thought she was so “on target” in witty comments about peers- I’d bet it was popular in her group, maybe some adults agreed. But it backfired on a college app, made her look like a superficial, self-absorbed critic. Her judgment was flawed in what she chose to write and how she did it. </p>
<p>In contrast, I’ve ready many where the kid, just in describing some absurd situation or unexpected happening, was truly funny. So be careful. The personal statement is a chance to reveal more about yourself than the rest of the app can. It should help the adcoms like you and trust you’ll thrive in their environment. I often suggest writing it as if writing to a trusted older person, almost as a letter, at first, to see how it goes. Remember “show, not tell,” which will engage the reader, draw him or her in.</p>
<p>I feel like i could be really really deep in my essays and make it somewhat of a serious tone, or more lighthearted. If I were to write the serious essay it wouldnt be one that I could just add some humorous lines into</p>
<p>A friend of mine worked for years as an admissions officer at a top-50 university. The essay-writing advice she used to give in information sessions was, “Be yourself. If you’re funny, be funny. But if you’re not, don’t try!”</p>
<p>I think for a humorous essay it’s really important to show it to several adults who aren’t members of your family–perhaps a teacher who doesn’t know you very well. See if they think it’s funny. (This is pretty good advice for any essay, really).</p>
<p>To add: Make sure they think it’s funny AND that it shows you in a good light. Those may not be the same.</p>
<p>Do what all writers are supposed to do when they hit a block: start writing. There’s only so much you can ponder this. Get started and you’ll figure it out, as it evolves. Or doesn’t.</p>