Be Goofy and the World Smiles With You by Sofia

Be Goofy and the World Smiles With You by Sofia - December 2023 Scholarship Essay

Have you ever had your entire outlook on something change because you can laugh about it? That is what I want to do with my life. When I decided to shift my focus away from musical theater in college, it took a lot of consideration. However, deciding to be a comedy arts major resonated with me because I realized I could make a much bigger impact on society with a degree in comedy. Studying comedy at the University level is only just emerging as a possibility. Only three collegiate comedy programs exist in the country! I have the opportunity to be studying at DePaul University.
When I tell people I am a comedy arts major most people find it silly. Yes, I am in fact silly but my chosen path of study is not. It turns out, comedy is a very powerful tool. When audiences are presented with new, uncomfortable, or upsetting topics it seems obvious that they would shut down or reject what they are absorbing. However, it has been proven that when these same topics are presented in a comedic way and an audience member laughs, their brain reacts in a completely different way. Through laughter, audiences can take these touchy topics and think about them in a new light. This is why comedians are regarded as truth-tellers. They can change your mind about important topics, not through a heated debate or other arduous means, but through ha-has and chuckles.
This is exactly what I want to do with my life. I want to educate, rehabilitate, and bring people together by making them laugh. Will my chosen career path be difficult? Of course. But I am committed to walking that road to try and make a difference while having fun and bringing joy.