800 word essay too much for common app?

[Nickleby]

<p>Having 800 words is TOO much, but it does give you an opportunity...</p>

<p>One of the signs of good writing is brevity. If you can take your 800 word essay and cut it by 200-250 words while keeping the same meaning, not only will you meet the requirements, but you will also create a better written essay. Spend a substantial time revising the essay and cutting it down, and you will be better off.</p>

[bettina]

<p>800 is way too much. It says 'can't follow directions', 'inappropriate judgement', 'bad writer'</p>

[newt]

<p>You guys miss the point. Nickleby, yes, cut it out, but do not cut out quality material. Bettina, it's only way to much if it is bad writing. If it's really good and flows well, "'can't follow directions', 'inappropriate judgement', 'bad writer'" will be the last comments out of the readers mouth.</p>

<p>For more comments, I refer you to this thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...ead.php/?t=19986%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...ead.php/?t=19986&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>and these posts in particular:

@newt

If your essays are good, it doesn't matter what length they are! Everyone on this board always tells people to strip their essays down to make the cut. Well, if it's bad enough that you have to cut it down, its not going to be a great essay even after you make it fit the 500 word limit.</p>

<p>Write a good essay, it doesn't matter how long (within reason--don't write a 2000 word essay for a 500 word essay limit (unless its super awesome, actually)). A 500-word stripped-down essay will not help you if it was not good to begin with. A 700 word essay will not help you if it is not good. A 500 word or a 700 word essay will help you if it is quite good.</p>

<p>Eh, I think I'm rambling now.</p>

<p>Anyways, I got into Yale and both of my essays were over the limit (~820 for one, ~600 for the other).</p>

<p>I say that if your essay is good, and the extra words are warranted, leave it be.</p>

<p>But then again, if you are applying online and they physically won't let you send it over the limit, ya you're screwed then. Cut it down .

@newt

If those extra words really really help the essay, it will be a good thing. If the words are superfluous, they could potentially harm you (because you did not edit it well).

@Justice~

the length is not as important as the flow. if the flow is not there, a 400word essay will seem too long. make sure that every word serves a specific purpose and if it's still 600,700+, so be it.

</p>

[Armand]

<p>Alright, so I've got a 700 word long personal statement. I can pare it down, but I feel like it'd lose a lot of personality in the process. Anyone want to read it to see if it's worth the extra 200 words?</p>

[IsleBoy]

<p>Some of my essays were between 700-850 words. If it is important to the piece, keep it. If it is unecessary, cut. </p>

<p>The colleges I applied to did not seem to care...</p>

[spark15]

<p>the limit is 250-500 so 450 is not bad... colleges won't care if it is interesting enough story to read...</p>