Hello all,
As I write my college essays, I am tempted to bring up items in my life that would certainly come across as funny or quirky in my essays, but I’m concerned about the admissions officers not knowing what I bring up.
For example, would it be appropriate to briefly bring up the game “Fortnite” in my essay or would it detract from my essay leading to the AOs not understanding the reference?
Any clarification/advice would be helpful.
Whether it makes sense or not is difficult to tell based upon your post. In general, if it’s part of the message that you feel strongly that you want to convey, include it. If you’re forcing the quirk angle, don’t include it. The essay’s purpose is, in part, to hale to AO get to know you. Don’t try to be something you’re not - they will see through it.
AFAIK, every single AO in the nation knows how to do a google search. 
Don’t try to cater to your perception of the reader.
Some colleges like Pomona and Brown seem to really pull for quirk. Having gone through the college admissions process twice with my two students in recent years, it seems the biggest challenge IS to separate yourself from the pack and stand out. Quirkiness definitely does that, so the trick becomes demonstrating quirkiness in a good way, not odd or strange way, like you have unique strengths, interests, talents, contributions to make to a community of scholars.
OP isn’t going to get into a college based on a game. Some humor is fine, but ask yourself if this college is looking for “quriky” as one of the attributes they want. Generally, not. Many more assets matter more.
Quirky usually means unexpected, sometimes, peculiar. Do you really want to offer your app readers something weird or out of place? That is NOT how you distinguish yourself for a top college.
A video game is not a great way to distinguish yourself, unless you have done something interesting with it. Literary or film references work well, especially if you can weave them into a story that you are telling about yourself.
@skieurope - Given that the average AO probably spends fewer than 10 minutes reviewing files of qualified candidates (i.e., those that meet minimum test scores and GPA standards), do an applicant really want them to spend one or two of those minutes doing a google search and/or reading Wikipedia to figure out an obscure reference?
Thank you all for your responses.
I would only briefly bring up the game as an example for what my friends are doing in the summer while I do something else. The video game’s name would be listed along with a couple other activities that most teenagers engage in in the summer. This is meant to contrast how I spend my time in the summer when compared to others.
So how is that “bring(ing) up items in my life that would certainly come across as funny or quirky in my essays?” Now you’re saying it’s someone else’s pastime.
Do you know what your target colleges want to learn about you?
If an AO has to Google it, that isn’t great. And the average AO will have no idea what that is.
I am SO NOT a gamer. But I’ve heard of Fortnight.
But as a general rule of thumb, if you’re not sure they’ve ever heard of it, then I would suggest omitting it.
And please make sure your essay is about you, not others. You have only 650 words to convey the person who unlike all the others with identical numbers. Don’t waste those words talking about your peers.
If all you are doing is mentioning Fortnite I think that’s fine. Anyone not living under a rock knows at least that it’s an online game. If you want to talk about any detail I would not assume they have a working knowledge of the game, just that it exists and is extremely popular with teenagers.
It sounds like you are going to write about something that you think makes you look better in contrast to your friends. Be careful with that. It might make you sound judgemental.
Parent of a male college student – Fortnite was pretty much how guys spent their free time in college over the past year, though it seems to be fading a bit in popularity. So, not quirky . . .
Being funny/self-deprecating, can work, if done lightly.
I agree…you should avoid writing about something that you think makes you look better than your peers… it sounds judgemental ( even if not intended).
I think being quirky is fine… if that’s really who you are or if that quality has always come across in your writing. If “quirk” is not who you are, it may not look genuine.
Show who you are and the right schools will embrace you, quirky or not.
Umm. Depends on what your quirks are. The point is not just to be “you,” if those aspects make you not fit what the college wants, one way or another. They choose on fit.
The blanket advice to be “you” can mislead. If the so important quirk is lining up your shoes and talking to them or blasting punk at midnight to fall asleep, or playing games rather than interacting, dont count on an embrace. They may also question your thinking in going so much for, “But it’s me!!”
These self approved quirks can backfire.
I think that students should apply to schools where they fit in and where they feel accepted, quirks and all. I think it’s a mistake to change … or not represent who you are …in order to fit into what you think a school is looking for.
Blasting punk at midnight is not really a quirk… it’s rude behavior. As far as talking to your shoes… those types of essays have gotten kids into some very good schools ( we visited one where that exact essay topic was discussed). I guess we need to define “quirk.”
Agree with @lookingforward : “Depends upon what your quirks are.” For example, if it is donating large sums of money to any school or club that will have you, then that could be good unless also applying for financial aid.
I don’t think you should write about fortnite, it may come off as immature