Columbia's Word Count

Transfer Students
1

<p>On Columbia's online app: it has two essay questions.</p>

<p>1) Short Answer Essay Question
How and why blah blah..Please limit yourself to 250 words (1 page).</p>

<p>2) Personal Essay
Write an essay .blah..blah.. We prefer that you limit yourself to 250–500 words (1–2 pages).</p>

<p>My question is: which guideline should I stick to - the page count or the word count? It seems that I can fit approx 500 words on 1 single page...</p>

<p>Any help much appreciated</p>

2

<p>word count</p>

3

<p>i think it's okay if you go over 500 marginally, but i wouldn't push your luck..keep it under 600 probably</p>

4

<p>My personal essay was about 530 words, and I made sure to keep it within 2 pages. It has this feature where it gives you a PDF of what the application will look like as the admissions officer reads it, and nothing had been cut off, so I assume I should be fine. Just keep it to 2 pages.</p>

5

<p>yeah, i guess i'll need to cut my "short essay" to 250 words then...</p>

6

<p>How do I count words? Manually?</p>

7

<p>If you're using microsoft word, go to tools, then word count.</p>

8

<p>OMG! I'm so impressed lol Thanks, cheesiestyle.</p>

9

<p>So does Columbia want me to write my reasons for transfer in 250 words? It's too short..</p>

10

<p>yes, i had to condense my 500 word essay to 250 words.</p>

11

<p>I'm done. It's now 200 words! Essay 2 has 620 words on one page, and they "prefer" that we limit ourselves to 500 words and 1-2 pages, so it should be fine.</p>

<p>Do I need to enter recommendation providers names even if they use papers?</p>

12

<p>Also, not using 'hard return'
is not using the enter key right?
so for all parts, we SHOULD NOT USE the enter key
someone confirm this!</p>

13

<p>you can do whatever you want, as long as when you preview the application you can see all of your answers on the page.</p>

14

<p>did you write "how your school didn't meet your present needs," or how columbia was a better fit? or both?</p>

15

<p>Anybody double-spacing their essays?</p>

16

<p>I talked about how my school didn't meet my present needs, like the question asked.</p>

<p>And yeah, I double spaced my essays. I submitted my application like a month ago. I kinda wish I didn't, I think I could have written a better one now.</p>

17

<p>i am not double spacing.</p>

18

<p>I don't think I'll be double-spacing my essays. It'll look to nauseating with 500+ words spread out in that fashion.</p>

19

<p>I 1.5 spaced mine so they can read it easier.</p>

20

<p>oh **** my first essay is 600 words :(</p>