Common app essay 500 Word limit

<p>Is it alright if my essay is 600 words? I've already chopped it down a lot from 702 words, and honestly I don't think I can chop off anything more without ruining its very essence...What should I do?</p>

<p>Yeah 600 words is fine. The 500 word limit is not strict, it’s just a guideline so your essays don’t end up being 10 pages long. Plus it’s an uploaded document, the admissions officers are not likely to check everyone’s word counts. Just make sure it stays on about two pages or so.</p>