<p>They ask for 500 words.</p>
<p>How much space does that give us in either direction?</p>
<p>Is 400 too few and 600 too many?</p>
<p>What about 450? 550? 460? 540? etc.etc.</p>
<p>The 500 words is probably a good target to shoot for. If you’re too far below you could probably add a few more thoughts to it. If you’re too far high then you might want to look into saying things more concisely.</p>
<p>Overall, shoot for one page of writing, without having to use ridiculously small font or double line spacing. It’s not like they’re going to take points off for ‘not following instructions correctly’ (they won’t even count the number of words).</p>
<p>so wait, are we supposed to double space or not?</p>
<p>My counselor told me that with the common app (and other online apps) you should only double space between paragraphs. Also, she said that you shouldn’t indent at the beginning of paragraphs because it can mess up the format or encoding or something. But mine had indents and it turned out ok, so whatever.</p>
<p>yale says somewhere that you wont be held liable for anything that happens because of a technical limitation.</p>
<p>i’d say 450-650 is the range you’re looking for (i think my common app essay was around 600), but remember that if you’re submitting online (which admissions committees seem to be very fond of), it might cut you off after a certain number of characters have been entered into the box. so if you’re planning to submit online, make sure you start the app now and find out how many characters can be entered into the box and limit yourself to that.</p>
<p>If you want to read my essay, IM me:</p>
<p>Leper Fuhrer</p>
<p>It was 525 words, but then I fixed it and now it’s…623.</p>
<p>Is that bad? It’s exactly one page (including double my name and a space between it and the actual essay)</p>
<p>I don’t have IM, but if you like, I’ll read the essay and give you my thoughts.</p>
<p>Woah oh oh, how do I know you won’t STEAL MY IDEA???</p>
<p>:) Yeah, I probably will.</p>
<p>I don’t think longer is better. These readers glance at hundreds of essays a day, many of the papers just rambling and missing their point entirely. Some of these essays have horrible grammar errors, are BS’d, or are uninteresting. As long as you write a clear, coherent essay that can spark some interest and that has a lasting impression, you’ll be fine. Good writing isn’t long… good writing is just good. And, IMO, one who can express himself or herself in a few short paragraphs instead of a long book demonstrates apt writing skills.</p>
<p>What about the short answer on the CA? I have 170 words… bad?</p>
<p>They actually prefer as short as possible on the 150 word CA, but I got mine to 150 exactly down from 270. It sounds impossible, but here’s a hint: say everything you want to say only once, and you’ll see that word count fly (downward.)</p>
<p>Didn’t they ask for 75 words and don’t they want it written on the actual document?</p>
<p>Im pretty sure thats what the app. had</p>
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