<p>Does anyone know if a school really cares if you go over the word count for your personal statement? </p>
<p>Example: I'm applying as a transfer to Brown, where the word count is 500, and it looks like mine is going to be around 600.</p>
<p>Big deal? It just seems like every word that I have now is crucial.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My essay was also over 100 words and ended up chopping it down to 500. I think 100 words is way more than what they are looking for.</p>
<p>Yeah, a few words over is one thing, but 100? I'm sure you can cut it.</p>
<p>You can cut a lot of fat off essays by making sure that each sentence is crucial to the message/paragraph, any unneeded adjectives, condense syntax, and making sure your whole essay makes clear sense.</p>
<p>i think they would care if you can follow directions or not. if the essay shouldn't exceed 500 words, it shouldn't exceed 500 words.</p>
<p>If what you say cannot be said in fewer words, then going over the limit is fine. I know admitted students who went over Brown's limit by at least four hundred words.</p>