<p>Is the word count really strict? Both of my essays are around 400 words long. I have already cut them down and I'm really not sure what more I can take out. Would it really hurt my chances if my essays were over the word limit? Should I cut it down to under 300 words?</p>
<p>I think I read in one of the blogs on their website - but I’m not ENTIRELY sure.</p>
<p>But, I think I read -</p>
<p>if your essay is ~300 words, you should be fine. For instance, if it’s 307 words… you should be fine. They aren’t going to count your words specifically - but they have a really good idea of what a 300 word essay looks like.</p>
<p>I would suggest going back and deleting a sentence or two to limit yourself to 300 words. Remember, you are only given 300 words… so make sure you let each word count. Get rid of useless information - keep the information that tells about YOU.</p>
<p>Just my advice 
good luck!</p>
<p>Going over the limit some will not in and of iteself be held against you. Going over a lot might show the inability to be succinct and edit your own work. There are many admission officers who believe, based on years of experience in reviewing essays, that the applicant who firmly believes that it is impossible to shorten his essay to something close to the limit is always greatly mistaken in that belief.</p>
<p>I would suggest lowering the word count as well. I will gladly read it to help you out. Just PM me :)</p>
<p>i had my counselor help me cut them down! they are both exactly 300 words now! Thank you guys for the advice:)</p>