So I just took the SAT...

FordhamAlum
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:42:19 +0000

I just checked my d’s essay, she had 668 words. That is 2 pages double spaced. Yours must be 4-5 pages double spaced. I would say that is excessive. You have to remember the admissions counselor will be reading thousands of applications. They are people like you and me, and personal preferences can play a factor. You may get an adcom who doesn’t mind reading an essay that is twice as long as everyone else’s or then again you may get one who would be annoyed with the length before they start reading it.

That is just my opinion, and you will need to decide on your own whether or not you want to edit. If it was my daughter’s/son’s essay, I would advise them to shorten it.