<p>Hello everyone, before anyone gets mad, I did search the forums and found nothing that applies to me. I have 584 words for my common app essay. Can anyone explain why or why not this may be acceptable. I have tried all i could to make it shorter, I've given it to many people to edit. My essay is pretty good where it stands. Can I submit it, would admission officers get mad, would the ending get cut out?</p>
<p>They put a 500 word limit because admissions officers read thousands of essays. They can’t waste time and read 10 page essays for everyone. Try your best to cut down on the words, but you can go over the limit just a tad bit.</p>
<p>I would suggest trying to cut it to 500 words. The ad com people are so busy reading so many essays, and you risk irritating them if you go over. They DO notice if it is over. Even if they don’t have a “word counter” on their computer, they have read SO many 500 word essays that it is very obvious to them if it is more than a few words over. As well as irritating them, you risk making them think that you can’t follow directions or that you can’t write succinctly. Cut it. My son spent more time editing and cutting his essay than he did writing it. To edit a paper well is an art–show the colleges that you can do it.</p>
<p>follow directions!</p>