<p>So for the big one - the main essay on the Common App - what are some general guidelines for length?</p>
<p>I'm drafting right now, and I haven't even gotten to the main points yet - all mostly introductory material - and it's already 500 words!! </p>
<p>I know there is no rule of thumb, no maximum, but obviously unless it's enthralling (and enthralling my essay is not), no admissions officer wants to read 2-3000 words, but omg it looks like that's where I'm headed!!!! ><</p>
<p>(I don't think this should be in the Common App forum though, b/c though I'm doing the Common App now, the general word count applies to the main essay for any app, right?)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot in advance!!! :]</p>
<p>PS: oh yeah, this is my 1st post...mostly a lurker...idk if I need to make any introductions or anything? :P</p>
<p>You nailed it when you said no admissions officer wants to read a 2000+ word essay. Figure out how to be clear and concise. It might take multiple drafts, but it'll be worth the effort.</p>
<p>It's only your first draft.
Read it, re-read it, and re-read it again, after leaving it alone for a while (a month-ish should be good).
Then start hacking away what's unnecessary (not for word count, but for succinctness).
You'll easily get it down to under a page.</p>
<p>I submitted 1500 words, about 3 pages, and I still got in to the uni. Haha. What I'm saying is, if you REALLY have a story to tell, please do. Mine was a story about my life that I really couldn't cut down anymore.</p>
<p>thanks :) I guess it totally depends on the situation! mine isn't a life story or anything, so it's not really necessary to be that long -_- haha</p>
<p>Another question - I'm writing about music I like, and I want to include a poem I once wrote about it. But, uh, the poem adds 90 words lol. That does count towards word count, right? >_< Should I still include it, then? Since, I mean, 400 words as an essay isn't TOO short right?</p>