<p>does washu have a preference on the length of the essay? on the common app it says at least 250 words but there's not maximum given. i'm around 650 right now, do i need to keep cutting down?</p>
<p>Isn't it supposed to fit in the box? I think there's a maximum to both essays on the common application.</p>
<p>I just attached mine, no limit</p>
<p>The general rule is that it should fit on one page (single-spaced, font size at least 10). That gives you up to 800 words or so... So 650 is totally fine.</p>
<p>I agree with nngmm. (Mine is about 597)</p>
<p>Darn it, mine's like 1000 words!</p>
<p>the margins are flexible ;)...</p>
<p>mine was a little less than 2000....</p>
<p>I phoned the admissions office to ask them the question directly. I was told "it doesn't matter," but I pressed him for an ideal length... He reiterated that any length essay was "okay" but that about two pages or less was preferred - this is about 500 to 750 words.</p>
<p>I read an article that stated some good points about the essay - which matter more than word count. Don't make it the same essay the counselor reads over and over and over. Make sure the essay reflects your unique personality (and that this personality fits with your grades and extracurriculars - meaning that it is consistent with the rest of your application.) The article discussed an A+ student with high scores and great recs that stated he was a risk taker and phenomenal student. This student responded to the prompt allowing him to write his own question, then answer it. He wrote, "Do you play the tuba?" to which he responded, "No." Per the article, admissions officers at the top colleges he applied to were abuzz discussing the answer, debating it. Some thought it fantastic, some a cop out. Result? He got into a TOP college, graduated, and is now very succesful. </p>
<p>In other words, 500-750 is the preferred length, but anything works if it tells the right story.</p>