Common App Essay Word Count

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>Hi everyone,
I'm currently a high school senior applying to colleges and filling out the common app. I have already written my common app essay and it comes out at just over 700 words. </p>

<p>However, the directions on the common app website say:</p>

<p>"Please write an essay (250-500 words) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below."</p>

<p>How important do you think it is that the essay be under/at the 500 word limits. I am working on cutting my essay down to that level but I feel as though i am really killing it in the process.
The common app website allows me to upload my essay as it is without any issues. </p>

<p>Any thoughts would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I think the word limit is because part of the essay may be cut off when your application is printed out. Look at a preview of your application to make sure all of your essay fits…</p>

3

<p>ok, thanks for helping me out.
I’ll make sure to check that the essay is not cut off when it is printed.
Do you think that if that is not a problem, admissions would care that the essay is over the limit?</p>

4

<p>I’m not sure how they would be able to tell if it is or not. They will probably notice that it is fairly lengthy…I don’t know if that will be an issue for them.</p>

5

<p>The 500-word guideline is not a strict one. 700 words is fine.</p>