<p>so I believe that I can write a stellar essays. But I really believe that I could really enhance it by using slang. I am a minority coming from a low income neighborhood. And I was wondering what is pushing college essay dialogue to far? like can I say "n-"? what about moderate cussing? I'd be quoting things other friends and I have said.</p>
<p>Applying to CU Boulder and similar schools.</p>
<p>Cussing should be used sparingly, and only when there is no good alternative. Absolutely no F-bomb.</p>
<p>Be extremely careful about potentially polarizing racial/gender slurs. I would stay away from the n-word with a ten foot pole. I think about a benefit/risk ratio. The potential benefit is probably modest - as a talented writer I am confident you could find an alternative word to convey your meanaing in most situations. Meanwhile, the potential risk is huge, some readers will toss it right out for being offensive. </p>
<p>I would avoid it. Whether the word ends in -a or -er is polarizing even within the AA community; there is no place for it in a college application. If you do not have a large enough vocabulary to express yourself without using slang, admissions officers will take notice.</p>
<p>no cursing. p(eet)isses some people off, and usually gives a college a bad impression. i tried doing that in my entry essay for my current school and my best friend, who is also a teacher, made me erase a mention for poop with a very fancy word. i did and i got in.</p>
<p>^ I agree, no profanity in your essays. It gives a bad impression, even if you’re quoting someone else. </p>