<p>How long is the typical Common App Essay? Is 495 words enough? </p>
<p>495 is slightly less than average I’d say. People seem to like writing closer to the max.</p>
<p>I’d write more than that. You’ve only got 650 words plus supplemental essays (maybe) to convince an admissions officer to let you attend their school for the next 4 years and to choose you over (maybe) thousands of other applicants. </p>
<p>If 495 words were not enough, they wouldn’t allow you to write that little.</p>
<p>I think they’re usually around 600. So, it’s less than average, I would say, but if you get your point/story across in that amount of words, then great! Less work for the admissions reader, too.</p>
<p>I don’t mean to “jack” your thread, but I have a somewhat similar question. How long should the extracurricular short essay one be? I’m a rising junior, but I’ve written a draft to let it sit for awhile. It’s 300 words, but taking words out is painful, haha.</p>
<p>@Newdle: The EC short essay has been removed from the Common Application.</p>
<p>@DiscipulusBonus Oh noesss D: !!!</p>
<p>As long as you say what you need as efficiently as possible, you’re good. I just dug up my Common App essay from last year, and it was 525 out of a possible 650 words. In a lot of cases a student would want to add 100 words to help argue his case, but mine was complete as it was. If yours is complete at 495 words, great. But make sure you don’t want to add anything.</p>
<p>Thank you all 
</p>
<p>I read the similar “personal statement” for medical school/residency applicants. I have never thought less of an applicant who is concise. I am usually thrilled and more likely to read the thing in depth.<br>
There is obviously, “too short” and you look lazy. But 495 (of max 650) would make me very happy at first glance - and if its well written I won’t be counting words. From the many comments I’ve heard at info sessions, I believe college admissions officers feel the same way. </p>