http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/college-essay-length-limit.htm
I wrote an essay of about 1200 words. I can cut down my essay to about a 800 or so, but it seems really difficult to deliver the same expressions within 650 words. This link I’ve posted says that there’ll be a box that counts words and it won’t let you enter any more than 650 words. Is that true? Any reliable sources? Thanks in advance 
P.S: Just to clear, I’m talking about the college essay with 6 prompts that you’ve to write after high school.
(I think I posted in the wrong place the other time)
You run the risk of having the bottom of your essay cut off, plus demonstrating that you are incapable of following simple instructions, or giving the impression that you are too arrogant to think the rules apply to you.
If other applicants can cull it down to the word limit, then so can you.
@Suggestme make a commonapp account and you can see for yourself
Read William Strunk’s The Elements of Style. It’s a tiny book that is recommended reading for all. Nearly the entire book is dedicated to saying more with less.
Good luck!
It doesn’t allow it. And if you can’t say it that succinctly, you need to edit. The essay is about both what you are saying and how you communicate it.
You can cut it down. Trust me, there’s always a way. I could even help you if you want. But yeah, don’t try to get around it.
Don’t go over the limit. I don’t think admissions officers necessarily count every word and start giving you ‘minus points’ for every word over 650, but the Common App may cut off your essay.
The computer system does cut it off, but only after a save. Many students make the mistake of copying it into the box and seeing that it is all there and then saving without checking the end. Also, different word processing programs count “words” differently,and so regardless of whether you think you are under, always save it on Commonapp and then check the end. Even a missing period can affect how the essay appears.
It is always possible to ruthlessly edit. Ask yourself what the benefits are here with regards to not following the directions.
If you find that you’re having a hard time editing the existing essay, take the core thought of that essay, and re-write it from scratch. You may find that the word constraint produces a better, more concise essay.
Thank you all, the answers were really helpful!