I e-mailed my English teacher my response to “What motivates you to learn” (150 words or less) and it’s only one sentence long. He said it was good and to keep it as it is.
I know I’m technically following the word requirement, but I’d like to get outside opinions. How would I come across to the adcoms with this?
P.S. This writing supplement is one out of two that I have to write for Emory (my other response was 129/150 words long).
I’d listen to your teacher. If your one sentence answers the question in a clear and thoughtful manner, it will be much more impressive than a 149 word response that’s mostly filler. You’ll be fine as long as your other answers are long enough to give Emory a sense of your writing abilities. A shorter answer, when appropriate, shows that you know how to edit yourself.
Brevity is often much appreciated! We had a consultant who recommended consistently working toward a goal of under word count for that reason.
i agree with keeping the one sentence. it makes you unique to the admissions office
It’s a risk if they are expecting you to develop your answer, not simply respond minimally. Or is this a rather long sentence that covers much?
Adcoms look for the thinking behind what you write- the choices you make and what they represent about you and your understanding. We can’t know how this will be taken. It may not be the “unique” they’re looking for.
I think it unlikely to thoughtfully answer the question in one clear sentence.
I envy the writers who can get their message across in a clear and succinct way instead of extra sentences of fluff. And I think Adcoms appreciate them, too. Listen to your teacher. Sometimes less is more.