<p>One of the essay prompts for Middlebury goes something along the lines of “describe an incident that has tested your values and tell how it has changed you.” Would it be totally inappropriate to go a quirkier, more light-hearted route since I have a feeling that they’re looking for something serious and meaningful?</p>
<p>My opinion - taking an unexpected approach to an essay prompt can definitely work. However, I don’t think it’s possible to say whether your approach is appropriate or not without actually reading a draft of your essay. Also, humor as an approach (don’t know if you’re planning humor as well as light-hearted quirkiness 
) can be effective but it can be risky. I have seen attempts at humor in essays come off as flippant instead of funny.</p>
<p>Several parents here are willing to review essays, so if you want to give your approach a try, post when you are ready and one or two of us are likely to be willing to review an essay which you PM.</p>