<p>I have some questions on Cornell's college specific essay world length. I realize that they ask you to stick to 500 words (which I originally thought I'd have trouble getting to!). But, I wrote out the essay for the College of Arts and Sciences, and I talked about why I loved the two feilds I had chosen to study, and how CAS would help me understand them better. Sounds good, right? Well, it started at 700 words when I was done. After trimming the fat off of it, I got it down to ~650. However, I fear I can not condense it more with out seriously compromising the integrity of the writing-- I'll start sounding like a 2nd grader, writing in simple sentences.</p>
<p>My question is, for those of you that are done, how long is yours? Is 650 pushing it?</p>
<p>Mine was 900 words dont worry its not like they will sit there and count the words or will only read your essay up until a certain point. You paid you $70.00 application fee, they will read your essay.</p>
<p>well if I were you, I wouldnt give them a reason to throw your essay out without reading it.
They are going through TONS of essays...if you didnt follow the guidelines, its an easy reason to weed you out.</p>
<p>They have to read thousands of essays. They don't want to read ridiculous long essays. Show Cornell you have the ability to read and follow directions. Being able to form a coherent thought in 500 words is also a pretty good skill to have. Showing that you believe 900=650=500 won't impress anybody, especially if you're applying to the Engineering School.</p>
<p>650 is fine. just MAKE SURE THAT AT THE 500 point it is so good that it makes you WANT to read the next 150. Either that or it is constructed in that you HAVE to read the next 150.</p>
<p>all in all, mine was 499 exactly (i thought they might cut off at 500) , but 650 sounds fine. :)</p>