<p>yale requires the supplement to be fewer than 500 (or as close to 500 if it goes over)… the common app just says about 500 words, so I assume that means about 650 to 700 max… my common app essay is about 600 words, which is a good number for that essay… i say that if you’re over 700 words, you might want to see if you can cut it down just a hair… if you’re excessively over, then you may need to figure out what is important and what isn’t as important and make sure it isn’t too long… i.e. 983 words is pushing it, and with an essay of that length, the admissions people may get a little agitated with you (which isn’t good)… if you can, get it below 800 at least… 700 preferably</p>
<p>this is just what my college counselor has told us at my school, and we always send some kids to ivy’s every year… so i personally trust what she says</p>