MIT Short Essay Length

cmh_580 · 10-31-2009, 02:38 PM

How strict are they about the 200-250 word length? Would something a little bit over, say around 270, be okay?

Elanorci · 10-31-2009, 03:14 PM

I will preview the answer I'm 99% sure you're going to get from a more legitimate source - and say that about 10-20% over the limit is fine.
Personally, most of mine are like 280, so... :P

cmh_580 · 10-31-2009, 03:16 PM

Ha that's good, I expect mine to be right around that length. 250 words is not much room.

sujinpark8 · 10-31-2009, 03:33 PM

My counselor said try to get it within the word limit so mine are all 250 words or less.
But one of my 100 word ones was like 104 words.

mathsciencedude · 10-31-2009, 05:27 PM

All of mine were well within the limits: 90's and 230's.
Is that bad?

xAAAx · 10-31-2009, 05:33 PM

according to the website? (I think)...it was somewhere, 90=100=110 & 240=250=260 so 10+/- is a good rule of thumb. Don't sweat if one of yours is too long. just make another one shorter hahaha

Djokovic · 10-31-2009, 06:30 PM

most of mine were 240-260.

one of mine was around 290-310.

remember, more text = smaller font XD

feuxfollets · 10-31-2009, 06:57 PM

Yea I had one that was 320 words, couldn't really cut it down without compromising the integrity of the essay... =( others were 250-270.

sujinpark8 · 10-31-2009, 08:16 PM

I think 300 is a bit over but then again I'm not an admissions officer so I couldn't tell you for sure.
Most of mine (before editing) were 500 and then I edited it down to about 300 and I thought I wouldn't be able to get rid of anymore words but if you are able to effectively use language any essay can be cut down while still keeping the essence and integrity.

molliebatmit · 10-31-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

All of mine were well within the limits: 90's and 230's.
Is that bad?

No. Brevity is a great skill to have.

Within 10% is fine. More than 10% over the limit should cause you to do some editing.