I am confused by the wording. Should each essay be around 500 words in length totaling to 1500 words total (approximately, of course)? Or, should the sum of the words across the three essays total to approximately 500 words?
Thanks!
Hello, @jake990,
The Admissions Committee recommends the latter.
Best of luck!
A Pitt Admissions Staffer
Since Pitt has essentially eliminated any other way to highlight extracurricular activities besides these essay questions, my son thought that the 250-500 word limit TOTAL for all three essays was ridiculously short, especially since the merit scholarships depend on a “record of excellence in various academic and nonacademic activities outside of the classroom.” But I told him that if he wrote three 500 word essays, the merit scholarship committee would probably just throw the application away as someone who couldn’t even follow simple instructions. He disagreed. We’ll find out the answer soon enough as his stats put him far above the requirements for a merit scholarship.
Responses that are longer or shorter than the 250-500 word recommendation are acceptable. Best of luck to your son!
Best,
A Pitt Admissions Staffer