<p>for common app. users, are we supposed to fit our essays to around 500 words? i heard some people going over like to 600 and 800 words and still did fine.. i wasn't sure what the "custom" is..</p>
<p>The online application says to write a 250-500 word essay...but you can fit 6000 characters in the box.</p>
<p>what about the short essay? 150 words is REALLY short. I have around 180 and its really concise.</p>
<p>mine was originally like 1100 and then i basically cut it in half and now its around 650... thats fine right?</p>
<p>180 sounds pretty short... isnt 250 the minimum? 180 is like 1/2 a paragraph..
but i guess if its really strong then its ok</p>
<p>jack it p to 250. you can do it.</p>
<p>Does a word count of about 680-690 sound too large for the personal essay?</p>
<p>hilary, the word number suggestion for the short essay is 150 so 180 is actually longer than the suggested count. I think mine ended up at 2-something. I believe the word count is okay to be over if it flows. You can flow, you can't be superfluous.</p>
<p>vigorous writing is concise. colleges will respect a finely-honed piece of writing that is, as the Common App. specifies, between 250-500 words. it's easy to go on and on, but is your topic REALLY so important and in-depth that it warrants overstepping the boundary?</p>
<p>my personal essay (req. 250-500) is 591 words</p>
<p>my "most significant EC essay" (req. 150 or less) is 230 words.</p>
<p>ugh is this ok? im not worried about the personal essay since thats pretty close but i dunno if the EC one is too long...
its not superfluous!
i hate word counts, they're so restrictive.. plus 150 is like nothing, this post alone has 70 words!</p>
<p>guys when I read sample essays from books like Harvards most Successful Esssays, kids write like 800 word essays.</p>
<p>since when does a 150-word statement become an essay</p>
<p>u can though fit in a 700 word essay into th ecommon app perfectly.....</p>
<p>As they say, be sure to print preview them before sending`</p>
<p>Where does the Common App call the 150 word piece an ‘essay’?
It says, under Short Answer:</p>
<p>In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience)(150 words or fewer).</p>