Sometimes the comma before and is optional. Do admissions officers care?

Applying to College
1

If I write lists in my essay and list 3 or more items when using and, does it matter if I put a comma before and?

Example: I like ice cream, oreos and chicken.
or
I like ice cream, oreos, and chicken

2

Are you applying to Oxford?

7 Likes
3

Uh no

4

@skieurope If memory serves I believe this is one of your many areas of expertise.

5

Then feel free to avoid the Oxford comma by writing “ice cream, Oreos and chicken.” As an opinion, this represents the preferred style for a simple series, partly for eliminating the illogical aspect of antecedent recognition.

6

I would write Icecream, Oreos, and chicken…using the comma after Oreos. Because Oreos don’t exactly go with chicken.

4 Likes
7

For application purposes, it does not matter.

For your courses, your instructor may follow a specific style guide, so follow that.

If you want further info:

Since I have given the definitive answer to your question, and have no desire to have yet another thread debating serial commas, closing thread.

The OP can also search the past threads on this topic

9 Likes