<p>I also had a lot of trouble condensing my Bates essay. My first copy was around two pages and I still wanted to write more. I don’t think you’ll be penalized if you go a little bit over three paragraphs- but it shoudn’t be three pages. Bates just wants a good, but straightfoward response in which you don’t ramble. I know it can be quite tough to compose the essay in such a limited amount of space. But if you are enthusiastic about Bates you should be fine.</p>