Thank you all for visiting this wonderful, spectacular thread of mine… so here I go.
My question is:
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Are your titles for your essays count toward the word count? For example if I have a title with 3 words and essay of 1,000 words, are my words counted as 1,003 words or 1,000 words? I have to write for both Common Application and UC admissions. I’m running tight on my word count…
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Does the word “U.S.A.” count as 1 word, or 3 words? I ask this because again I’m running tight on word count. I would have to use a word that is either “United States” or “U.S.A.”. Which one has less word count?
Thank you so much, you are SAVING my LIFE!!! I know that your input will perhaps save the entire human race. Yup, your response for these two questions are THAT important. 
O and no speculation here… please give me empirical evidence if you have any (for example URL of a grammar website)
If I recall correctly (I’m pretty sure on the Common App, and I suspect as much on the UC app), I think the application fields limit you on your word count, so whatever they decide would be the definitive answer. In other words, the text field you paste in will get cut off if you exceed the word count. So you’ll have your answer then.
FWIW - Neither of my kids titled any of their essays. (So that could save you 3 words right there)
- When writing your essay on the Common App, you'll be cut off once you've reached the word limit. I am almost positive that titles are a part of the word count.
- The word "U.S.A." counts as three words because of the periods. The word "USA" counts as one word because there is nothing in between the letters that would prevent it from becoming more than one word.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/initialisms
^Here is a website I found that explains that writing “US” is the same as “U.S.”; I would just write “USA” (not “U.S.A.”) if you are running out of room.
I don’t think there is any need to title your essay.