<p>I need adults’ perspective of this. Do you think it is okay to use profanity in the college admissions essay under any circumstance? Many think it shows a lack of ability to effectively communicate and others say it intensifies an argument. Since the readers are adults, I would really appreciate your opinion on this.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Profanity is evidence of a limited vocabulary … is what my grandmother the librarian and mother the English teacher used to say. I agree. Use your words. Craft your sentences well and don’t depend on vulgar language for the shock value.</p>
<p>No. I definitely would not. Remember your audience. Would you use profanity if you were addressing the admissions committee face-to-face?</p>
<p>No never ever. </p>
<p>
well said.</p>
<p>Although many consider the admission essay a creative writing assignment, it is more in line with part of your interview. While you might use vulgar language in a novel or short story or in conversation with friends, the sign of a mature person is knowing when it is appropriate and when it is not. The essay is not.</p>
<p>My only exception to “never ever” is if your essay is about your reaction to an important experience, and you are quoting someone else. For example, if your essay was about your volunteering at a homeless shelter, and you realized that charity was a lot more complicated than you imagined because a homeless person screamed at you and called you a $<em>&$& little %(</em>(%$. In that case, it’s crucial to the story, and you aren’t the person using the profanity. I might allow one of my students to leave it in in that case.</p>
<p>It would depend on the school, too. In my above example, the student’s probably applying to Oberlin. But Princeton? Hell no.</p>
<p>Agree with Hanna. Otherwise, no profanity. (I am a former editor in educational publishing.)</p>
<p>Question for Hanna and Bookiemom …</p>
<p>I would wonder if it is even necessary in that situation. Wouldn’t the universal #$%&@ suffice in most instances, unless the actual meaning of the deleted expletive is somehow germane to the situation?</p>
<p>When in doubt, keep it out.</p>
<p>I can’t think of any time in which it would be appropriate to use profanity in an admissions essay. Even when quoting someone else, you can just say, “He cursed” or “She said an expletive.”</p>
<p>"Wouldn’t the universal #$%&@ suffice in most instances, unless the actual meaning of the deleted expletive is somehow germane to the situation? "</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say it’s ever necessary in the sense that the plot won’t make sense without it. But there might be a significant loss of power and sense of place in the scene. Great creative nonfiction – which is what a college essay ought to be – relies on ringing true. It’s hard to evoke a sheltered, white suburban teenager’s shock at confronting a bitter, entitled homeless person by writing, “Then she cursed at me.” If you’re applying to free-spirit type colleges, I’d go with the power of the piece over following strict rules of propriety. It’s not the New York Times.</p>
<p>I’ll add that I’ve only worked on one essay that fits the exception I’m talking about. This doesn’t come up much, and when it does, by definition, my students have a professional consultant on hand to keep them out of trouble. Indeed, when in doubt, keep it out.</p>