<p>Each essay should be as long as it takes to answer the question. I’m a gates scholar this year (frosh at 'SC!!! :D) and some of my essays were 1000 words, and others were 400. They can tell when you BS something, so write from your heart and finish when you have nothing else relevant to say.</p>
<p>For the excelling in subjects question, I wrote about school subjects- I thought that’s what the question was actually, pertaining to school… anyways, I don’t think you should have an issue if you write about excelling in a school subject.</p>
<p>Best of luck, and you can PM me anytime. Glad to help!</p>