Is it okay to use exclamation marks in college essays?

Using exclamation marks in your college essays can work, but it's important to use them thoughtfully. Admissions officers are looking for genuine, well-crafted writing that lets your personality shine through—but too many exclamation points can start to feel informal, forced, or overly dramatic.

One or two exclamation marks in an essay, especially if they're part of dialogue or highlight a moment of genuine excitement, can absolutely add voice and energy. For example, if you’re describing the moment you saw the results of a project you worked hard on, it might be natural to write something like: "I refreshed my screen and there it was—I’d actually made it onto the list!" This reads as authentic enthusiasm, and if it matches your personality, that's great.

On the other hand, if you sprinkle exclamation marks throughout every paragraph, it may start to feel immature or distracting. Admissions readers usually appreciate essays that are polished and mature. Overuse of any stylistic device (like exclamation points, rhetorical questions, or all caps) can sometimes pull the reader out of your story.

A good test is to reread your essay out loud—do the exclamation points sound genuine, or do they make your writing feel a little too bubbly? You can also ask a friend or teacher to look for spots where your excitement comes through just from your word choice and details, and where you might rely too much on punctuation.

In summary: it’s totally fine to use an exclamation mark or two if it's authentic and fits the story you’re telling. Just keep them sparse, so when you do use one, it really lands. Thoughtful word choices and vivid storytelling will ultimately communicate your passions far more than punctuation alone.