<p>Hi, I'm applying to Yale SCEA.
I noticed that Yale's free-topic essay is to be under 500 words. Ok, that's cool with me: I have a 499 word essay.
Then there is the Common App essay, which does not specify a limit. So, I have an essay that has been cut down to near death and is still about 630 words. Will Yale consider it a flat disregard for their rules (that they did not set, technically) if I upload the 630 essay for that, or will it be ok?</p>
<p>I'm not an expert, but if each of those extra 130 words is adding something to your application, I'd say it doesn't really matter. Its pretty likely that by specifying under 500 words on the free-topic is mostly trying to eliminate those people who would write their autobiography and submit it, and really, the person reading your application has much better things to do than count words.
So my basic point here is this: if your common app essay doesn't feel longer than your free-response, go for it.</p>
<p>What you say is very logical. It would seem that the essay's main job should be to tell about myself, and that it would not matter as long as it got the job done. But the yale website explicitly states that they are not at all pleased to see applicants show disregard for their guidelines by going over the limit :(</p>