Is it okay to use parentheses in my college essay?

Parentheses can definitely have a place in college essays, but it's all about how and how often you use them. In moderation, parentheses are a great way to add a quick aside or inject your voice, which is important in making your writing sound authentic and conversational. Admissions officers read thousands of essays and appreciate when your individual style comes through, as long as the writing remains clear and purposeful. If a parenthetical comment helps you sound more like YOU, that's a point in your favor.

However, if you rely on them too much, your essay could start to feel scattered or overly informal. Admissions reviewers still expect your essay to be polished and focused. Too many side comments can dilute your main message or disrupt the flow. I'd recommend using parentheses only for occasional asides, those little extra comments that genuinely add flavor or context, not whole sentences or significant information.

For example, instead of saying: "I spent every Saturday at the animal shelter (it was a two-hour bus ride each way), where I learned...," the parenthetical detail about the bus ride adds color and shows commitment without distracting from the main point. But if every paragraph has a side comment in parentheses, it might be time to trim a few.

When in doubt, read your essay out loud and ask yourself if the parentheses break up or interrupt your flow. Share the essay with a trusted teacher or advisor and ask specifically about your use of parentheses, you might get helpful feedback about when those asides work well and when they get in the way.

Bottom line: A few well-placed parenthetical comments are not only acceptable, but can enhance your essay if they help your voice come through authentically. Just use them sparingly for the best effect.