150-word EC response question

College Essays
1

<p>Do you think adcoms will really care if my short answer response is a tad over 150 words (meaning about 200)?? The common app space allows for about 2000 characters (way more than 150 words) but the directions state "150 words or fewer." Thoughts from current college students who did all this application business?</p>

<p>Also, once I finish, would anyone like to read and critique my response? It's only 200 words so it won't take long.</p>

<p>P.S. anyone who has already done so, I've completely rewritten it from scratch</p>

2

<p>If it specifically states "150 words or fewer," write 150 words or fewer. Follow the directions. If it says "approximately 150 words," then it's okay to go over. Some schools won't care; some schools will.</p>

3

<p>Simply put, why risk it? Keep editing/rewriting/removing words until its at 150 or less. I know how hard it is...I had to take a 4,000 word essay once at cut it down to 2,000 for an essay competition...Good luck, and if you want to PM your new draft to me I might be able to help cut it down.</p>

4

<p>I'm done with the next draft guys, so I need help cutting it, because it's 189 so far. Volunteers?? :)</p>

5

<p>Now it's down to 164, with the invaluable aid of CoffeeAddict! Any other takers?</p>

6

<p>I'll help, if you'd like.</p>

7

<p>I'll help too, if you want.</p>

8

<p>I'll help you make it succint if you want.</p>

9

<p>ill help. pm me</p>

10

<p>I'll help with the critiquing and possible shortening..</p>

11

<p>Thanks to everyone who read mine!</p>

12

<p>Oh, do you want me to shorten it? I forgot.</p>

13

<p>Personally, I think 164 is fine (as long as there really is nothing you can cut). Obviously being way over is bad, but I doubt the reader will even notice the extra 14 words. Mine was 184 and nobody seemed to mind.</p>

14

<p>Ohh in that case....idk haha
I got it down to 147, but if I have a little wiggle room, I'd like to add back in some juiciness :p</p>