<p>In books like “50 Successful Harvard Application Essays” and Bauld’s “Writing the Application Essay”, many of the essays are over 1000 words and all of them are well over the 500 word limit. Is the 500 word limit on the Common App just a suggestion or have the rules changed? </p>
<p>Any thoughts would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Theoretically, since you submit a document, you have unlimited space. The 500 word rule is a rule and probably should be followed, but too many people break it. This is because admissions officers usually don’t care as long as its about one page. if you exceed one page and submit something like a 1500 word essay, then they might get mad.</p>
<p>How would you like to read
4 recommendation letters
5 essays
and any additional information
in 15 minutes.</p>
<p>The rules changed in 2011 I believe, when the common app added the word limit.</p>