Forgiveable number of words to go over the essay word count?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I’ve read in various places that going over the word count in the Common App essay won’t get you blacklisted from colleges or anything as dramatic as that, but that I was wondering what the acceptable number of words to go over is? I realise no one is going to have a definite answer, but general opinions would be helpful :)</p>

<p>Currently my word count is at 525. I managed to trim that down from 546 but that almost killed me. I’ve cut out all the expendable words :/</p>

<p>Help? ^_^</p>

2

<p>I would not exceed the 500 word limit.</p>

<p>There is a danger some schools will say you violated the instructions.</p>

<p>The instructions don’t say “about 500 words”.</p>

<p>Lincoln’s Gettsyburg’s address was probably less than 500 words.</p>

<p>If he could cut his speech down, so can you.</p>

3

<p>I’m in the same boat… I wrote mine over the summer before I knew the constrictions so mine was 700 words, but I’ve cut it down to 580 and I don’t know how I can get rid of more without messing up my essay.</p>

4

<p>I’m going to try and get rid of those 25 words, though knowing a past President of America could do it doesn’t exactly enthuse…</p>

5

<p>Do you think 7 words over is acceptable?</p>

6

<p>Print out your essay. Go through it and underline all the adjectives and adverbs. Look hard for words like “very,” “extremely,” “completely,” etc. Chances are you will see some fairly easy cuts.</p>

<p>Correction: Chances are you will see some easy cuts.</p>

7

<p>Hahaha, not a bad idea! Thanks :D</p>

8

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<p>Correction: You’ll see some easy cuts.</p>

9

<p>Or: You’ll see cuts.</p>

10

<p>I have posted this before. Schools are too busy to do a word count. </p>

<p>Keep your essay to one page. It is an uploaded document so what they will then see is that they only have a single page to read. Do edit your essay down. Don’t make yourself crazy.</p>