So obviously I know that swearing is usually not a good idea in a college essay. However, I’m writing my supplemental essay for a (quirky, but selective) liberal arts school, and I wanted to include a direct quote that’s central to my essay. The only problem is, it has a swear. (The quote is “My life is dope and I do dope shit.” if that helps)
Should I censor it, keep it in, or just re-write my entire essay? (Please, dear god, don’t say the last one, it’s a January 1st deadline…)
I would choose not to include the entire quote in general. Depending on how you are writing your essay, that quote just seems out of line.
Well… honestly, I’d say rewrite. Or figure out a different intro that doesn’t use the quote. It just sounds juvenile. Which is not what you are going for.
The essay is about the effects on black youth seeing radical self-love from celebrities so it’s not that I’m saying it about myself/my own life.
If the essay has somewhat of an academic tone and you’re using the quote in a purposeful manner, I say go for it. Make sure that it’s obvious to any reader why the quote is important and the affect it had on Black youth.
Honestly, I want to read your essay when it’s done. Sounds like a dope idea! May I ask which school you are using it for?
Reed! I’ll send it to you if I remember 
There was a similar thread a while back. Not sure if there was a consensus but many felt that swear words were acceptable if relevant. I doubt your reader won’t know the word.
What about some kind of partial censorship like “s h * t”. It gets the same point across but in a less jarring way.
Ooh…no. Just no. Dope may be alarming enough, though as used in the current vernacular, probably completely familiar, if not welcome.
For the record, my daughter used a swear word, though one I would say was much milder, and it did not hurt her application at all.
philbegas, I thought that sh*t might be the way to go, but many seemed to think this was condescending and that I should either take the quote out or use the full word.
Waiting2exhale, what word did your daughter use? And where did she apply? I’m not too worried as it is Reed, who offered “Blunt Rolling 101” as a one-day class last year
@manicpxidreamgrl : If you would like my impressions, send the essay to me. Reed '74 [and I haven’t changed that much although my hair is shorter & thinner than my avatar, which does not fully show the glories of my ponytail that was …]
I just think it’s a not a good quote. It’s trite. Focusing on a profane component is just a distraction.
PMed you, OP.
I like the option of using the four asterisks as it appears here in this thread. I think it’s fine for Reed, and also that the (likely) hipster-age person reading your essay will not be at all offended. You could look up your admissions counsellor, check out his/her twitter etc., and see it’s very likely a real person who graduated from Reed some time within the last 10 years. Plus the word “dope” is very ok in Oregon. Not alarming! Good luck!
@aboutthesame Wait, that’s really you? I thought it was some old picture like the outlaw Jesse James.