Is it okay to use humor in my college essays?

Using humor in your college essays can definitely help your personality shine through and make your essay memorable, but it has to be done thoughtfully. Admissions officers read thousands of essays every cycle, so a lighthearted voice or witty line can be a breath of fresh air when it feels authentic and serves a purpose.

What’s important is that your humor doesn’t overshadow the message of your essay or come across as insensitive. Be careful not to use sarcasm or jokes that could be misunderstood without the context of tone or facial expressions. A little self-deprecation or witty observation about your experiences is often the safest bet—for example, describing how your attempt at making pancakes for the first time ended as a "modern art project" before connecting it to broader growth or learning.

Many admissions reps actually enjoy essays with a bit of levity. A former Stanford admissions officer once shared that an essay making her laugh (in a good way) stood out to her even years later. The key was that the jokes weren’t forced—they flowed naturally from the writer’s voice.

If you’re unsure, try reading your essay out loud to someone who doesn’t know the prompt. Ask if your jokes land or if they’re confusing. For instance, one applicant wrote about her failed attempts to train her dog, using light humor to show resilience and adaptability, and it resonated because it was unique to her, not a gimmick.

In short, humor works best when it fits your writing style and subtly enhances, not distracts from, your story. A single well-timed line can lighten the mood, but make sure that underneath the laughs, you’re answering the prompt and revealing something meaningful about yourself.