Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, is it acceptable to use dialogue in a college essay.

I have a scene in my college essay where I'd like to include some dialogue. Is it okay to use dialogue in a college essay or should I avoid it? Thanks for any advice!

Hi there! Using dialogue in a college essay can be a great way to make your story more engaging and dynamic, as long as it's done effectively. It can help bring your characters to life and make the reader feel more connected to your story.

That being said, it's important not to overdo it or rely too heavily on dialogue to carry your essay. Remember that the primary goal of your essay is to showcase your personality, growth, and potential to the admissions officers. Make sure you're still clearly conveying your thoughts, feelings, and insights throughout the essay, even if you include dialogue.

For example, my child used a brief dialogue in their essay to provide context and make their personal growth more tangible to the reader. It worked well in their essay, and they were admitted to their top-choice school. Best of luck with your essay!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

COMMENTS

  1. Is it acceptable to use dialogue in a college essay?

    Make sure you're still clearly conveying your thoughts, feelings, and insights throughout the essay, even if you include dialogue. For example, my child used a brief dialogue in their essay to provide context and make their personal growth more tangible to the reader. It worked well in their essay, and they were admitted to their top-choice school.