Is it Ok if I exceeded the word limit in a 250-word essays by 20 words?
And if I write the 104 words in a 100-word essay, it that acceptable?
learn to adapt to constraints and keep under the limit, will probably annoy the readers if you don’t
Cutting 20 words or less should be easy. Give it a try.
If 270 is OK when they ask for 250, because it’s only 20 more, shouldn’t 290 be acceptable if they will accept 270? And why not 310?
If I were you, I’d make it 250.
For a 250 or 100 word essay, it’s ALWAYS possible to cut words.
You run the risk of the end of your essay being cut off.
270 words for a 250 word essay gets the “can’t follow simple directions” box checked.
A friend of mine worked in MIT admissions years ago. She talked about the long hours involved for everyone when reading the applications, and said applicants who made more work for the readers by not following directions got old quickly.
Those who read your applications are only human. Why even chance upsetting them?
While I don’t know if essays get “cut off” or if admissions officers check a box when they read the 101st word, I would recommend, like others, to attempt and shorten your essay. Personally, I’m strictly adhering to the limits.
Hmmm…it looks I will work to cut my essays to the limit.
Thanks everyone.