🍦 Today's Scoops: How to use humor in your essays

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. Link Lounge Refresh

2. School of the Day: University of Texas – Austin

3. Admissions Blueprint: Navigating humor in your essays

LINK LOUNGE REFRESH
New Resources & Scholarships!

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

Coca-Cola Scholars - $20,000 college scholarship for high school seniors (7 days left to apply)

Robertson Scholars Program - Full-ride scholarship to Duke or UNC, if you get into either school

(NEW) Elk’s Most Valuable Student Scholarship - $4,000 to $30,000 scholarship for 500 winners

(NEW) Reach Best - AI tool for researching colleges, made by students at top universities

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
University of Texas – Austin

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Austin, TX
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 42,444
📊 Acceptance Rate: 31.4%
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1230–1480/29–34
💸 Cost: $11,698 (In-state), $41,070 (Out-of-state)
📅 Admission Options: October 15 (EA), December 1 (RD)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Undergraduate Engineering (#11), Business (#5), Computer Science (#7) (US News)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Biological/Biomedical Sciences (12%), Engineering (12%), Business (11%) (US News)

Pros:

💻 Top-Tier Computer Science and Engineering Programs – UT Austin is renowned for its Computer Science and Engineering programs, consistently ranked among the best in the country. The university’s proximity to major tech hubs like Dell, IBM, and other Austin-based companies creates unique opportunities for internships and job placement. Learn more about UT’s CS program and Engineering.

🎤 Incredible Music Scene – Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and UT Austin students have access to countless concerts, music festivals like SXSW, and live shows throughout the city. Check out Austin’s live music events.

⚡ Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities – UT Austin is home to dozens of research institutes, including the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), which houses some of the fastest supercomputers in the world. Students can get involved in groundbreaking research, even at the undergraduate level.

⚖️ Strong Government and Public Policy Programs – UT Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs is a standout for students interested in politics, public service, and international relations. Its location in Texas’s capital provides unique internships and real-world experience with lawmakers and government organizations.

🐂 Longhorn Spirit and Networking – UT Austin’s alumni network is massive, and being a Texas Longhorn comes with lifelong connections in nearly every industry. Plus, the school spirit is legendary—whether it’s cheering on the Longhorns at football games or participating in traditions like the UT Tower lighting. Explore UT’s alumni network.

🎨 Creative Spaces for Artists and Designers – UT Austin isn’t just for STEM or business students—it’s also a hub for creativity. The College of Fine Arts has programs in everything from acting to game design, with a special emphasis on interdisciplinary work across the arts and technology.

Cons:

🏫 Large Class Sizes in Some Departments – While UT Austin offers a world-class education, some departments, especially in popular majors like Business and Engineering, can have large lecture classes for lower-division courses. This can sometimes make it difficult to get individualized attention early on. Learn more about class sizes.

⏳ Four-Year Graduation Challenges – While UT Austin has great support services, graduating in four years can be tricky for students in certain majors due to the intense course loads and large class sizes, which sometimes make it harder to register for required courses. See UT’s graduation rate data.

🚶 Massive Campus Size – UT Austin’s campus is vast, which means it can take a while to walk between classes. While there’s a shuttle system, students often need to plan ahead to make it to lectures and labs on time. Explore UT’s campus map.

👥 Campus Housing is Limited – On-campus housing at UT Austin is limited, and many students end up moving off-campus after their first year. While there are plenty of off-campus options, it can be competitive to find affordable housing close to campus. Get more info on UT housing.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
Navigating humor in your essays

Using humor in college essays can feel like walking a tightrope — get it right, and you’ll engage your readers, but get it wrong, and your essay might fall flat. So, how can you harness humor in a way that enhances your writing without distracting from your message? Here’s a guide to make sure your essay strikes the right balance between lighthearted and authentic.

🎯 Know Your Audience

Imagine telling a joke at a family dinner versus cracking one in a job interview. Same humor? Probably not. College admissions officers are looking to understand you — your personality, values, and quirks — but they’re also looking for maturity and depth. Use humor that aligns with who you are and the image you want to convey.

💡 Tip: Think of humor as a spice — it should add flavor but not overpower your essay.

📜 Keep It Relevant to the Story

Humor works best when it’s woven into your narrative naturally. If it feels forced, like an afterthought or a stand-up routine, it might distract from the points you’re trying to make. The funniest parts of your essay should serve a purpose — revealing a unique trait, making a difficult situation more relatable, or showing your resilience.

💡 Tip: Humor should work like a lens, giving your reader insight into how you view the world, rather than becoming the main focus.

🚨 Avoid the Danger Zone

Sarcasm, self-deprecating jokes, or humor that might come off as offensive can be risky. What might be funny to you might not land the same way with an admissions officer. Stick to humor that is universally relatable or speaks to common experiences.

💡 Tip: If you wouldn’t crack the joke in a professional or classroom setting, it’s probably not essay material.

🧑‍🏫 Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of telling a joke, focus on showing humor through your storytelling. For example, instead of writing, “I’m so bad at math that I barely know what 2+2 equals,” describe a moment where you triumphantly got the wrong answer in a fun, relatable way. Your reader will appreciate the subtlety.

💡 Tip: Paint a funny picture with your words rather than relying on punchlines.

🌟 Examples of Humor Done Right (and Wrong)

Good Example:

“I had all the confidence in the world walking into my first public speaking competition — right up until I tripped over my own shoelace and fell flat on my face. As the judges tried not to laugh, I stood up, dusted myself off, and decided that this would make a great icebreaker. ‘Let’s just say I’m falling for this competition,’ I quipped, and the room erupted in laughter. It wasn’t the best start, but it taught me how to recover when things don’t go as planned.”

This example works because it’s light, self-aware, and shows the writer’s ability to handle mistakes gracefully. The humor adds to the story rather than taking away from it.

Bad Example:

“I’m probably the worst public speaker ever. Seriously, my last presentation went so badly that I’m surprised they didn’t just escort me out of the building. If I had to speak in public again, I’d probably run away and join a circus instead — at least they don’t expect you to be articulate when you’re juggling!”

This example falls flat because it comes off as self-deprecating and avoids telling the story altogether. The humor feels forced and doesn’t show the writer’s growth or resilience.

👌 Be Yourself

If you’re naturally funny, let it shine through in your essays! But if humor doesn’t come naturally to you, that’s okay too. Authenticity is more important than forcing a joke. Remember, the best humor feels effortless, not contrived.

💡 Tip: Your humor should feel like you — not like you’re trying to be someone you’re not.

📝 Final Word: Humor can make your essay memorable, but it’s all about balance. Use it as a way to enhance your story, not overshadow it. Stay true to yourself, and remember: even if your humor doesn’t land, authenticity always will!

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Coke Scholars deadline coming up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

Coke Scholars Round 1 Deadline: September 30
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

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