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Old 09-23-2007, 01:03 PM   #1
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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500 words common app essay?

Question: Why is everybody convinced that the common app essay has to be less than 500 words? It doesn't say there is a limit anywhere, is it bad if mine is 1500?
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Old 09-23-2007, 01:06 PM   #2
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If you were an admissions officer and you had to read thousands of essays, would you want to read one that is 1500 words long (about 4-5 pages)?
It better be a masterpiece or I'd reject you on the spot.
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Old 09-23-2007, 01:20 PM   #3
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Quote:
It doesn't say there is a limit anywhere,
Yes it does.
The common app itself specifically gives the limit of 500 words.
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Old 09-23-2007, 01:23 PM   #4
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Ooooh interesting... I just checked common app and they changed it this year.
There is no word limit anymore...

Quote:
Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below.
But still, I don't think an adcom would appreciate something that's about 5 pages. Especially if it's something that could easily be said in <500 words.
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Old 09-23-2007, 01:35 PM   #5
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I'd shoot for 550. 575...maybe.
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Old 09-23-2007, 02:26 PM   #6
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Yeah anything over 700 is pushing your luck.
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