<p>On the NYU common application, the main essay does not have a word or character limit. Does this mean you can potentially write 5 or 6 pages (within reason)?</p>
<p>I have no idea and I have a great long essay which I wrote for it, but don't know if I can or can't use it!</p>
<p>Any help is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>There’s no maximum, but I wouldn’t write a lot. The colleges have to read through thousands of them, and sometimes if you write 5 or 6 pages, it’s a little wordy and kind of bleh. That’s just my opinion, though.</p>
<p>5 page essay?!
Most common app essays are around 600 words. I recommend you don’t cross 1200 words! It tends to become superfluous and it loses its impact. Stick to the norm of between 500-800 words.</p>
<p>Whenever I went and talked to the admissions counselor at the open house, he said that there is no “word limit” or “cut-off point,” but that you should only use as much as is absolutely necessary to get your point across, and even though he’s read plenty of super long essays, none of them would have actually needed more than 1100 words, so “I highly highly highly recommend you don’t go very far above 1100 words.” -NYU Admissions Counselor</p>
<p>5-6 pages?! Unless you’re planning to use size 20 font… I would suggest cutting it back a bit…</p>
<p>guys, guys! It’s not “bleh”, or in other words, it’s not about someone’s community service experience. It’s very serious, very personal, and, I know everyone says this about their essay, but it REALLY IS unique. I doubt any other applicant to NYU (considering the privileged crowd that goes there) have ever written about this.
It’s to the point, entertaining, and, I’ve been told, “gives [the reader] chills.”</p>
<p>So, now, remembering that it’s a decent essay/story, do I still have to cut it?
It makes me wonder, if there’s no limit, how could they deny someone with a 5 page essay?</p>
<p>They couldnt deny you for it, but it might put a sour taste in their mouth. Remember, they read an essay every 15 minutes or so, so it is work. By writing a 5 page essay, you are giving them 2 and a half times the amount of work a kid who writes a 2 page essay does. </p>
<p>If you are confident in the essay, then send it. But i would recommend only doing so if you are absolutely sure that it is better than any 2 page essay can be. Otherwise, if someone submits a 2 page essay that is better than yours, it will look very bad in comparison. Concision is one of the most vital things when it comes to your application.</p>
<p>I wrote about how my best friend who passed last year influenced me the most. It made most of the people I gave it to cry. It was 600 words.</p>
<p>You can say everything you want to about it in less. I could have gone on and on about my best friend but I kept it simple. It’s more heartfelt. More meaningful. Long essays are drab, and just too much for the board to have to read over.</p>
<p>Your said “essay/story,” so that combined with the length makes me think it’s a story and not an essay…remember it’s called an essay for a reason…that’s exactly what they want - an essay, not a story, which can be told in less than 1100 words…</p>
<p>Very true, Hayley.
See, I told a lot about my best friend because it tied into how he influenced me. But I only took up 600 words. I don’t think any of us are trying to be mean or anything, but 5-6 pages for a college essay is a little much. Go for two or three.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your responses guys!
The problem is that every word, every scene, every reflection really adds to it and develops a strong view of who I am.
I would hate having to toss up which paragraph or line I’m going to omit.</p>
<p>BTW, is anyone keen on reading the essay for me? I could finish it after the second page, but the ending is very defining.
Just someone trustworthy who won’t go and post it publicly until after the notification deadline.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind looking at it if you want to PM it to me. I promise I’m trustworthy :)</p>
<p>You could also ask your teachers and your university counselor to take a look at it too. Even a friend would be good. Getting other opinions REALLY helps alot… especially if you have to cut down. I had the same problem… my essay was way too long but I didn’t want to cut anything out because I had spent SUCH a long time writing it.</p>
<p>hey winniehuang, just curious, did you end up sending your essay as it was? And did you get accepted with it (if I may ask) or is it still pending?</p>
<p>as it was? you mean before my teachers and friends looked at it? no i didn’t actually. I mean my essay wasn’t extremely long… it was around 1300 words… but they helped me cut it down to around 900… And it’s still pending :)</p>