CommonApp essay length?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I'm wondering how long my CommonApp essay should be. It's 700 words right now, and I think it should be 1000+ if it's going to cover everything that I need it to. Every word counts; it's not wordy or windy. I know that the minimum is 250. </p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

2

<p>According to the Yale website, “Concise writing is often the best writing, so please try to limit each essay to approximately 500 words.”</p>

<p>[Application</a> Instructions & Components | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/instructions]Application”>Application Instructions & Components | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>

<p>Perhaps the topic you’re trying to cover is too broad/deep?</p>

3

<p>^^I believe the reference quoted is in regards to Yale’s supplemental essay length. Yale – nor any school that I’m aware of – places a suggested maximum word limit on the Common App Essay.</p>

4

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<p>Incorrect.</p>

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<p>It says each essay, referring to common app and supplement.</p>

5

<p>500 words is the gold standard. About 10% over that is fine. Remember that these guys are reading thousands of essays. They’re exhausted. Concise is good.</p>

6

<p>There are many threads detailing Common App word length – or rather, the lack of defined length. Here are just a few:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/563860-yale-common-application-essay-length.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/563860-yale-common-application-essay-length.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/571895-common-application-500-word-limit.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/571895-common-application-500-word-limit.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/430651-essay-too-long-common-application.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/430651-essay-too-long-common-application.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/404933-word-limit-main-common-app-essay.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/404933-word-limit-main-common-app-essay.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>How’s 566 words? It can’t be that bad, can it? I’ve already chopped it down from 1000+, so don’t make me have to relive that painful experience.</p>

8

<p>^That’s fine. Just use common sense people :rolleyes:.</p>

9

<p>Lol, thanks entomom. I’m in a state of constant paranoia and doubt until January 1.</p>

10

<p>^Ha, understood! Don’t worry, it will all turn out fine, even if it doesn’t. Just remember, it’s not the school that counts, but rather what you do when you get there.</p>