Word count questions (several threads merged) - Page 2

Djokovic · 10-22-2009, 03:32 PM

Right on time! 9 days til Early Action Deadline!

Djokovic · 10-22-2009, 04:39 PM

The MIT supplement section is now 750 words long!!!!

FIRE AWAY

Djokovic · 10-22-2009, 04:41 PM

The optional supplement's word limit is now unlimited!!! (well essentially 750 words if you don't want the text to get sized too small). We are no longer limited to the 250 words limit!.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AND FIRE AWAY!

raincoat · 10-22-2009, 07:18 PM

I already wrote an essay for the additional supplement that was within the old word limit (before update). I also want to send another essay that really, really reflects my personality. Can I just mail it to them along with the other junk my counselor sends?

Djokovic · 10-22-2009, 07:40 PM

MIT welcomes supplementary materials that might shine new light on you. Just mail them to the admissions office (with your name and birthday).

k4r3n2 · 10-22-2009, 09:19 PM

Er, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're referring to the two essays at the beginning (my year, it was 'what do you want to major in' and 'what do you do for fun'), right? I think that Djokovic is referring to the optional essays at the very, very end of the application. Do NOT write 750 words for the 100-word essays.

*mcgmit* · 10-22-2009, 09:55 PM

We're pretty excited about the new essays this year, particularly since we'll get to see several more aspects of your life and personality than in years' past. If you had applied last year, you would have had only two short (100 word) and one long (500 word) essay prompts, along with space for some optional essays. (Maybe one out of three or four kids would have used this optional space, BTW.) This year, the five short answer questions (two 100 word responses and three 250 word responses) offer more space for you to write significantly about yourself.

In a very non-scientific manner, I took the opportunity to randomly sample some of the responses we've gotten in thus far this year. (We don't review your case until all required application components have been received, so I blinded myself as to the applicants' names.) As someone who has read tens of thousands of essays, I can honestly say that the responses I've seen this year are among the most helpful and informative I've ever come across. These cases were chosen at random, mind you, which makes me incredibly excited as we begin this year's application season. Our ultimate goal is to try to get to know you through your application and interview, and our essay changes are a big step towards that goal.

Applicants always ask how helpful supplemental essays are: Do we read them? Do we preferentially admit kids who use EVERYPOSSIBLESPACE in the application? Will I be at a disadvantage if I submit/don't submit a supplemental essay? These are incredibly important questions, and there is an easy, unified answer to them. We specifically design our "required" application questions to get a ton of information from you, and we believe that these questions help us to get a very, very good idea of how you might thrive at MIT and contribute to our campus. The supplementary space allows YOU to feel comfortable that the application has captured as much as you would like to tell us. Use the space only if you feel you need to. Although we'll read every word you write, we don't give preference to those who use/don't use the optional space. That's why they're optional!

-McGreggor (MIT Admissions)

Djokovic · 10-22-2009, 09:56 PM

I am talking about the optional section where you provide additional information. The essays in the beginning are not 'supplementary'.

k4r3n2 · 10-22-2009, 10:01 PM

Part A is the biographical information, Part B would be analogous to the Common App supplement. Either way, there aren't any optional essays that are 100 words, so your 750-word comment doesn't really apply...just wanted to make sure you didn't inadvertently confuse the OP.

wantcollege · 10-23-2009, 04:54 AM

(Optional) No admission application can meet the needs of every individual. If you think additional information or material will give us a more thorough impression of you, please respond below.

For the above optional essay, is there a word limit? I thought I saw 200-250 words as the word count suggestion, but when I logged into my account today, I didn't see any suggestions for word count. Did MIT over the last few days take out that limit? I could have sworn there was a limit earlier. Also, on this website, Best Colleges 2010 National Universities Rankings

the word limit is stated as (Please limit your answer to 200-250 words or fewer.)

Is that accurate? Thanks.

molliebatmit · 10-23-2009, 08:08 AM

Hi all, I have merged several threads dealing with word count into one thread. Please read McGreggor's informative posts before asking more questions about word count.

Thanks!
Mollie (moderator)

Djokovic · 10-23-2009, 10:14 AM

@ k4r3n2
They are separated by Part 1 and Part two not A and B.
And it is not very analogous since in Part Two of the MIT App includes Activities, Essays, and Test scores whereas in the Common App you can still find those in the 'non-supplement' part.

Regardless. People get the point

k4r3n2 · 10-23-2009, 01:06 PM

Well, I guess it's been longer than I thought since I had to fill out applications. In any case, hopefully McGreggor's responses have cleared up everything for everyone.

Respectfully · 10-24-2009, 03:55 AM

Want college:

Yes the directions used to say that, but 2 days ago they were removed. Now there is no real word limit, but anything over 750 will begin to reduce the text size. So I'm expanding my 250 essay into something deeper but less than 750 words.

ChargerFans · 10-24-2009, 12:28 PM

Hi!

My son already submitted his application before change to word limits. Can he send in another essay that is great buy couldn't fit on the original application? Do we send it in the mail?