<p>So, I've written a few drafts of my common app essay. And its around 1,400 words at this point. Obviously this a lot, but is there something I should be aiming for. My problem is that I can cut a bunch of stuff, but then it doesnt have the same impact as it would be if left at around 1200 words. Its two and half pages double spaced.</p>
<p>Is over 1000 words horrible? Whats an ideal range? If any adcoms could try to fill me in on what you would think if you something like this, please let me know.</p>
<p>I was always under the impression 500-750 words is standard (I heard this from a friend who applied to ivies and got in).</p>
<p>you might think it won’t have the same impact, but chances are it will, and it will probably have more impact. Everyone thinks their essay is better at 1200 words until it gets to 800 and you realize how wrong you were. Hemingway wrote a 6 word short story expressing all kinds of emotions, I’m sure your college essay isn’t so deep and complex as to merit 1394 more than that.</p>
<p>for the record, Hemingway’s story is:</p>
<p>For sale; baby shoes, never worn.</p>
<p>on the app it says one page? double spaced or single spaced when we upload it? about how many words is that either way?</p>
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<p>That is a great story, no sarcasm, Hemingway was a genius of concise writing</p>