Application Essay

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I already wrote my application essay for Columbia but it came out to 600 words exactly. Even though the application asks for 250-500 words, can I still submit 600? I really don't see anyway to take 100 words out of the essay while still maintaining its quality and tone.</p>

2

<p>100 words over is a bit high in my opinions. Though I do understand where you're coming from- for my own admission essay (not to Columbia though) I sat myself down at a cofeehouse and went up too 1,200 in about 40 minutes. I genuinely felt every word was critical. I eventually cut it down to the restrictions; give it a few days and read it again; I'm sure you'll find that you're actually repeating yourself a few times or saying things that don't need to be said and can be seen on the rest of your application.</p>

<p>If you have to go over, I would go more than 530-550 (pushing it maybe). That's just me though.</p>

3

<p>Sounds good. Thanks!</p>

4

<p>my essay was about 700 words but that was back in the day of paper applications...now you will know when your essay is too long because the online app won't allow you to go beyond a certain number of words/characters</p>

5

<p>Actually, you attach the essay as a word document now, so you could get away with it.</p>

<p>But brevity can be a virtue. You can probably cut out 50 words easily.</p>

6

<p>600 words is fine. Mine was a touch over 600. Just don't make it 1000.</p>

7

<p>Mine was around 1000 words initially. Then, I cut it back to about 800 words, handed it in, and never looked back.
I'm not saying you should make your essay super long, but I do think that the admissions people are looking more for the content and the "who you are" in the essay portion, so don't worry about the length of your essay too much.</p>

8

<p>It should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover everything important but short enough to still be interesting.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
It should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover everything important but short enough to still be interesting.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Lmao. This statement just A) made my day and B) is so versatile! I'll keep it in mind when editing my essay tomorrow and whenever I go shopping.</p>