<p>I am a National Merit Semifinalist and have been polishing up my essay. It fits into the space they provide on the NMS application, but uses nearly all of it. I am hoping to use the particular essay for my Common Apps. When I counted the words for the essay at 663, I was genuinely bummed when I heard the 500 words maximum is now a limit, but others say that admissions officers will not punish a longer essay if it engages them, which I believe mine likely will (in fact it's inspiring me to apply to a truly reach college at the moment). It's always been difficult for me to write something like an essay without having a firm conviction that it's consistent with my positions and beliefs, and I think it will show to others that it's not some inconsequential thing that I'm vomiting on a page; it's got lots of content and conviction and doesn't ramble just to pretend it's got a lot to say. I will PM the essay to any and all who wish to assist me in seeing where it could be edited, opinions, etc. My parents have helped me in editing it but they really haven't been thinking about anything that could really be shortened. I look at it and think everything I say is important to the point. Thanks in advance to any and all who wish to help.</p>
<p>I emailed with someone who is a college advising counselor and she told me the advice she is giving her students is to make sure your essay fits on one page, so no more than maybe 650 words. </p>
<p>This does make a certain amount of sense since the essay is uploaded, not pasted like the paragraph. This way the ad coms see the essay does not go so far over the 500 words. </p>
<p>So don’t make yourself crazy if you love your essay, you can probably snip some extra words somewhere to make it fit. Good luck!</p>