<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I have an essay that I’d like to use for my Yale personal statement, but it’s rather long. It’s currently around 710 words. I know that the Yale supplement specifically asks for 500 words, but I feel that my essay is quite strong as it is, and any additional cuts would detract from it. So, my question is: will my application be tossed out simply because my essay is too long? If so, I guess I’ll use a different essay.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>FAQ #1:</p>
<p>[Frequently</a> Asked Questions - Applying to Yale College | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/faq/applying-yale-college]Frequently”>Applying to Yale College | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>oops should have checked there first…thanks</p>
<p>But if your essay is much longer than 500 words, you will not have helped yourself by ignoring our request.
I would advise you to cut it down…</p>
<p>Accepted early action with a personal statement that was over 650 words. Supplement was shorter, but also over 500.</p>
<p>Just to be on the safe side, stick to what they say</p>
<p>I agree with WriterColumbia, in principle, but here’s what I mean to say:</p>
<p>Read your essay. If every word feels necessary, then keep it as it is. </p>
<p>An essay is as long as it needs to be. If you have filler, cut it out; if you have repetition that doesn’t serve stylistically, cut it out; if you have anything that’s shown AND told, cut out the telling and leave the showing; if you have anything that’s just told, show it in fewer words. But, if you have a vivid, well-shown, well-written, well-paced essay, being 200 words over the limit won’t hurt.</p>