<p>Okay so, on the internet version of the Common App, the essay directions say "250 Words minimum". So I assumed there was no maximum number of words...
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I submitted a 925 word essay...</p>
<p>I don't know what to do now. Am I going to be screwed?
UGH. I really wish they had put it online instead of just on the PDF. I didn't even catch it when I read through the PDF though...</p>
<p>Reassuring words anyone?</p>
<p>I know how you feel, the description is misleading and they should put 250 minimum 500 maximum in the common app description. Unfortunately, you can only see this if you press “print preview,” and since before you finish your app you agree you pressed “print preview” and made sure everything looks good I don’t know how admission officers will feel about such a long essay XD Just relax and calm down, best thing to do.</p>
<p>If it’s a good essay then they’ll read it. If you babble on about nothing, then I’m sure that once they realize the word count was way over, they’d stop. My essay is 780 words, which is a lot, but it is necessary for me to explain my situation. And I’m worried about acceptance, but I’m not worried about whether they’ll cut my essay short. It comes as an attachment anyway, so there is no character limit, unlike the supplements. Best of luck.</p>
<p>You probably do not want to talk the college’s ears off, obviously. It is frustrating that the Common App does not put a word limit on the personal essay, though.</p>
<p>If anything, edit and cut out any parts of your essay that are not necessary. Try and trim it down to a reasonable amount (around 500 or so?) or have another advisor/family/friend look at it.</p>
<p>My essay was 750-800 words long. They arent very strict about the main essay, just make sure your supplements are within the word limit.</p>
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<p>This.</p>
<p>10 char</p>
<p>I had already submitted the Common App before someone told me that it was a 500 word limit. But thanks for all your help! I talked with a USC counselor and she said that it’s fine!</p>