<p>Part 2 of the college application requires detailed answers/information. I can neatly fit (type) everything I want on a paper application, but the school prefers online applications. I have no problem submitting everything online, I’m just afraid that the online application limits the answer fields to a certain number of characters. </p>
<p>Does anybody know if that’s true? Should I just mail in a paper application instead?</p>
<p>Yes, it does. If the application I filled out for Freshman RD is anything like yours (I’m assuming you’re a transfer student or a Class of 2015er, since the freshman RD was due a month ago), some answers are limited to 500 characters.</p>
<p>Most are limited to 300, actually, while “Why Columbia?” is limited to 600 characters.</p>
<p>yes, they do limit the answer fields, and pwoods is right about the 300 and 600 characters. but the admissions officers want to see how well you use the space provided, so if you’re able to say what you’re trying to say in a limited space, it’s impressive.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that next year they’re going to limit all short essay answers to 10 characters. If you’re able to say what you’re trying to say in that limited space, it’s really impressive.</p>
<p>That will surely test your ability to select the right words for a situation. As in using a nine-character one-word answer in place of an eleven-character one.</p>