My common app essay is about an incident that happened to me when I was doing flying trapeze. I am using some lingo in my essay that adds depth to the essay. Is a few word explanation of the lingo good? add a little more? or not explain the lingo at all?
Instead of using the lingo explain what is happening in words that the adcoms can understand. An essay should not need a glossary.
@TomSrOfBoston its like 2 terms
If you really want to and can explain it in a few words, it’s not going to make or break your essay.
Ask someone not familiar with the terminology to read it and see if it flows well or if it sounds clunky and out of place. Sometimes when you are steeped in the lingo of a particular hobby, certain words can seem very simple and easy to understand with a few words of explanation, but to outsiders, they might seem jarring if not handled well. Get someone to read your actual essay (perhaps even one version with the terms and one version without the terms) to get better perspective on what sounds the best. There’s no point in putting in the terminology if the same point can easily be made without it. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible that using those words does enrich your essay, but sometimes, it can be hard for people to really judge something from an outsider’s perspective. If you’re questioning, get advice from someone (or multiple people!) who has read your essay.
Keep an eye on the big picture. The point behind this essay is to show them a little of your personality-- to “give them a reason to say yes.”
You have only 650 or so words to use. Be very cautious about spending too many of those words explaining what terms mean, instead of showing them WHO you ARE.
Knowing that you tried the trapeze tells me a little about who you are-- that you’re unafraid of a little adventure. You already sound like a cool kid. Exactly what you did on that trapeze won’t change that assessment.
If you have to use the terminology, and then explain it, why use it in the first place? Why not just use the explanation? Or, better yet, see whether you can give a more general description so that you can get to the point-- who YOU are.