I am really worried about my common application essay. I know the limit is 650 words, but I only have 525-550 words. Is this too short? And I spent about the last 100 words of the essay concluding my essay. The total words are 533. Is this too short?
Thanks in advance!
If you feel that you’ve said everything that you want to say, then that’s fine. It’s better to have fewer words than to fill your essay with fluff that doesn’t need to be there.
No, it’s not too short. Have you reviewed it multiple times to make sure that you’re completely satisfied with all of it? I wouldn’t worry about it being too short at all. My essay is shorter than the limit (only by a few words though); I’m sure many people don’t reach the 650 word limit. If your essay sounds great as it is, then there’s no need to stress!
Are you sure 100 words short, won’t affect my admission chances, even though I said everything i needed to say?
My Common App essay was 541 words long and I got into my first-choice school (UChicago).
@Careful Wow congrats to you, sir! UChicago is highly prestigious. My writing skills though may not be as good as yours.
@Salutation Thanks! If you’re still concerned with the length of your essay, feel free to PM it to me and I can let you know if I feel it’s too short in the context of your topic. In general, though, 533 isn’t too short.
@Careful Would you read my common app essay?
OP, you’ve said all you needed to say on the topic.
Let it sit for a few days, then re-read. And give it to your mom/dad and a friend to read.
Then, if everyone is happy that you’ve said all you need to say, you’re done.
There is no point in diluting your message with 120 words of filler.
@Salutation This is from the Common App website:
The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores?
Since they specifically ask you to be clear & concise do NOT add 120 words of filler. After you’ve let your essay rest a few days, re-read it and ask yourself: Is my essay putting a “face” to my transcript, test scores, etc…? Am I presenting my true self or am I telling them what I think they want to hear?
I helped my son with his essay and his first draft rambled on & on. When I asked him why he repeated himself 3 times he said he was afraid the essay would be too short. He ended up submitting a 356 word essay. Say what you need to say and stop. Best wishes!
@MilouForever
Did your son get into his either of his top 3 schools with that essay?
Just curious.
And for UC’s is 700 words fine out of the 1000 word limit?
@Salutation Yes he did. His particular major required that he do supplemental essays so the schools read more than 356 of his words. He was coming into the college app process with a weak GPA so he had to really hone his message. In his case the longer essay diluted his message.
Maybe a good way to think of it is like this: Is a 2 hour movie better than a 90 minute movie? No. A 2 hour movie with 90 minutes of storyline ends up being very unsatisfying because the last half hour of the movie was a waste of your time. Is that the kind of movie that you recommend to your friends? Probably not. Besides, the Ad Com folk are not paid by the number of words they read each application season so they have no vested interest in you writing to the maximum. Ultimately, they want to get to know you in the most efficient way and figure out if you are right for their school. Follow @bjkmom"s suggestion. She gives great advice in this forum.
Max word count used to be 500 words. The 650 change is recent. I’d venture to say that adcoms are still most comfortable with slightly shorter Common App essays.
Don’t stretch your word count just for the sake of making your essay longer. If you have something you’re truly proud of, get to work on your supplemental essays.