<p>Putting aside the argument that a shorter essay would probably be a better essay and that the best writers know how to cut and edit, would there be a technical problem (uploading, character or word limit, etc.) with having a Common App essay be between 800 and 900 words? I have yet to be given a concrete answer as to whether I will be cut off at 500 words. I am applying to colleges this fall, if the year of the Common App makes any difference.</p>
<p>You will not encounter any technical problems.</p>
<p>There is not a word limit that is enforced by the common app software. Whether a given admissions officer is willing to read all the way to the end of your tome may be an entirely different matter.</p>