<p>I have edited my essay for the last two weeks and am stuck at 550 words. Do you think it would be a bad idea to send it in at 550 words? Is the 250-500 words a guideline or hard and fast requirement? It really ruins the flow of the essay when I try to cut out another 50 words. Help!</p>
<p>250-500 is a guideline. 550 words is fine.</p>
<p>550 sounds fine to me- mine is about 570 and I’m not worried.</p>