<p>My answer to the intellectual vitality question is 300 words. There’s a 250 word limit. However, my character count is actually under the limit by about 60 characters. So is the essay good, or do I need to trim it down more? (I’ve already cut it a lot so it’s pretty lean by this point.)</p>
<p>Mine were over by 25-35 words each but under the character limit and I got in.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help; that’s a relief.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if anyone has official news, though more anecdotes welcome as well.</p>
<p>If it fits, it ships. They don’t have time to count and see you’re over the limit by five words. I don’t think they’d deny you based on one word over the limit, either.</p>
<p>“Ah, this was a great candidate… 2360 SAT, president of his class… but he went over the word limit by five words. Looks like another reject…”</p>