<p>I have exceeded the "maximum" word limit of 500 words by 66. Is it critical that I make my essay shorter or can I leave it as is? Thank you for your help.</p>
<p>I had one essay that was 615 and I got in...so I think you'll be fine.</p>
<p>if it fits on a page, then you're fine</p>
<p>You don't mention which essay, but the Common App software has a 6,000 character limit. It doesn't count words, so you can be over 500 as long as it's less than 6,000 characters, which includes spaces, etc.</p>
<p>My essays were 506 words (common app) and 499 words (supplement). But I don't think they'll care unless it's notably long. If it's good they won't notice.</p>
<p>Yea. I had that question too. Mine is 700 words because I took 6000 characters as the guideline. Is that fine?</p>
<p>no. Do not use the 6000 characters as the guideline...cos that lets you have like 1000 word essays. The 500 word limit is a test to see how concise you are with your words and ideas. I don't think the adcoms appreciate super long, verbose essays unless it's absolutely BRILLIANT AND OMG LITERARY AWARD WINNER MATERIAL. But I think anywhere within ~100 words over is going to be fine as long as if you show that every word IS NECESSARY.</p>
<p>dont matter guys... they wont say you have more than 500 words so you are out...they rather look at your essay itself how well it talks about you and how you fit into the school so dont worry about the words limit...but of course not to exceed that much usually 2 pages of double spaces is the most so if you think they are good enough...Go for it!!!!</p>