<p>It only says 250-500 words, but that seems too short to say what I want to say, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Mine's is around 700 right now, but I'm working on cutting it down. I think you might be able to merge some paragraphs, and cut whatever doesn't add to the essay, and espesically words here and there. Of course I haven't read your essay, so I wouldn't know. That stuff applied to my essay though. Good luck.</p>
<p>I had one that went to 800 words.</p>
<p>If the extra stuff is necessary to keep the essays meaning, don't worry about it.</p>
<p>You should really try cutting it down. If the admissions office sees is very long, theyll be forced to read it quickly, and more meaning might be lost by their skimming it rather than you cutting it down! Try to keep it around 600..</p>
<p>mine was 800 originally. i cant find that much to take from it, but im shooting to get it down to 650.</p>
<p>mine ended up being about 680, my college counselor said it was fine, so I wouldnt worry about it</p>
<p>this if from a unhooked harvard admit (i'm smug, sue me): essays are HIGHLY recommended to be below 500 words.</p>
<p>this if also from a unhooked harvard admit: as long as it's a page single-spaced 12-pt font with a header of your name, address, etc- some kind of identification, and appropriate headings, it's fine. my GC used to work in harvard admissions, and that's what he told us. good luck!</p>
<p>Conflicting answers....ahhhhhhhhhhh</p>
<p>Mine was 800...but it did not hurt me at my reach schools.</p>
<p>What about for the short essay? If my essay is 300ish words but <1600 chars, is that okay?</p>
<p>mine is 1200 words, and there is no way i can cut it down...so w/e</p>
<p>My d couldn't get a longer essay to fit into the space on the common app. It would paste ok but when she reviewed the app it cut off at 500 leaving her essay in mid-sentence. Pretty sure this was common app but could have been NYU now that I think about it. Just make sure you review the app before submitting to make sure all your words appear.</p>
<p><em>my opinion is</em>
First, if they give u a word limit, say 500 words, you can go about 10% in either direction (therefore, 450-550)
But in this case, when it is a range, stay within the range!! Many people have told me that what they are looking for is that you can get your views across clearly and concisely and follow the directions. So honestly, cut it down. Mine is at exactly 500 words.</p>
<p>The CA allows you to go over the limit.</p>
<p>Again, it just depends on if the extra words are integral and necessary to the piece of writing. If the limits were that important...my prep school GC would have told me, or I'd have gotten rejected from all my Top-10 LAC and national university choices.</p>