<p>I just cut down my essay. It was brutal, I'm upset, but I feel it's what I needed to do.</p>
<p>Anyone willing to read?</p>
<p>isn't the max usually 500 words????</p>
<p>hahahaha raiderade, cut the poor guy some slack =D</p>
<p>Sorry, that was just funny</p>
<p>Thanks for such a valuable contribution to the thread, raiderade. I had NEVER come across anything saying THAT!</p>
<p>I brought down my essay from 1700 words to 976.
And I'm not deleting any more, hmph. Since we're in the same boat, I'll read if you want... send me a pm.</p>
<p>FYI... there is no max limit. It's just that if you're going over the usual 500, make sure your essay is worth the read ... because if it's not, the admissions people are not gonna be impressed.</p>
<p>Any others?</p>
<p>bumptenchar</p>
<p>uhh...FYI at many colleges there is a max and I was truly just asking because there are also many colleges that don't mandate 500 words or less though I know it came off as incredibly insolent</p>
<p>
...at many colleges there is a max ... there are *also many colleges that don't mandate 500 words or less *...
</p>
<p>You answered your own question.
The average/usual length of a college essay is roughly 500 words (notice: not the usual max).</p>
<p>I have not read the limit on the common app essay on any college website. (If you have... please share! I'd appreciate that, really!) I have read something on the Yale website about a 500 word essay, but I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Anyway, if all colleges really wanted just a straight on the notch bam 500 word essay, wouldn't they all agree to put that as the max limit on the common app?</p>
<p>As you mentioned, some colleges take this seriously while others don't. At least I think that you should concentrate more on your supplement essay for that specific college (and try to follow that college's rules) rather than desecrating a well thought out (although longer) common app essay (the common app doesn't mention a max!)</p>
<p>Btw, I didn't mean to use "FYI" condescendingly. So don't take that personally, alright. :)</p>
<p>At Harvard, the additional essay has a 500 word max honestly though that is the only one I can think of that officially declared a max so I guess your right.</p>
<p>Please, someone, anyone! </p>
<p>I need to figure out if this essay tells you who I am.</p>