<p>Hi, I had some quick questions about the format of the essays. Should the two 250 word short answers just be 1 paragraph each? Or maybe a couple of paragraphs depending on the topic? And obviously the 500 word essay should be a full intro, body, conclusion essay right?</p>
<p>Thanks very much for the help!</p>
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<p>No. In fact that’s a very bad way to approach it. Get a book or a guide that deals with writing college application essays so you can get an idea of what to try or what’s appropriate.</p>
<p>I was thinking maybe 1-2 paragraphs for the 250 word essay and 3 for the long essay, although 4 might be ok. 5 would be too many.</p>
<p>I think it depends on what makes the most sense for your writing. I am pulling up my essays, my diversity essay (I think 250?) was three small paragraphs-- one introducing the person I met that was different of me, one of what I learned from them, and the third was how I will contribute to the diversity. My educational path I think was also a 250, that was one larger paragraph. My 500 word was five paragraphs–an intro and conclusion, one small body paragraph, one medium paragraph, and one larger one. Given my topic it made sense. I got in so apparently they didn’t have a problem with it. I got to speak with someone from admissions at my orientation and someone had been asking her about the essays, and they said they really don’t look that closely at them-- your GPA is more important. Obviously still do a good job on them, but I wouldn’t agonize over how many paragraphs they expect-- if you’re applying to Mich I would assume you know how to write, so I’m sure you can handle it.</p>
<p>It really depends on your writing style. I’m way out of whack compared to jrt336.</p>
<p>How many did you do?</p>
<p>I’m thinking of doing mine like jrt’s.</p>
<p>Okay well my 500 worder (actually 650 words) 6 short paragraphs and the two shorter ones are each three. I think that it helps by breaking up yuor thoughts and getting more things into the essays about yourself</p>
<p>I just finished my first U of M essay, the 250 word essay about what led me to choose engineering. Do you guys think it’ll be OK that it’s a little over the word limit (280 instead of 250)?</p>
<p>you guys really need to learn how to write. the idea of asking for a “format” for these essays is slightly idiotic. using a preexisting format before you write is just gonna lead to very formulaic writing and thus a very bad essay. to quote TwistedxKiss “it depends on what makes the most sense for your writing.” and that is 100% true. maybe your essay would be better served in that formulaic intro, body, conclusion format or it may call for 5,6 or even 7 paragraphs. you cant DECIDE “oh im gonna have 3 body paragraphs”. that is bad writing. you pick your topic, outline it, and SEE! what is best for you. what is best to help convey your point. but if you really want some kind of guidance follow what tetrahedr0n said and get a book to help you.</p>
<p>^^ You really need to learn how to capitalize words at the beginning of your sentences. Anyways, part one and two are actually “short answer questions”, and part three is an “essay”, so I was mainly looking for opinions on on the formats should differ. But yeah you’re right, it does depend on what you’re writing; I think I got it now, thanks =]</p>
<p>ok so im at 350 words on my 250 word essay. it was originally at 420. im guessing this wont be a big deal. any personal experience on the issue?</p>
<p>Probably won’t matter much. Read through and see if there’s any sentence which you for any reason just don’t like, or doesn’t add anything or tell anything about you. If not leave it as is.</p>
<p>I think you’ll be fine. 2 essays down, now I just have to think of an idea for the long one xD</p>
<p>I would ask your guidance counselor, but going over by 100 words is quite a bit. Try and trim it down to maybe like 25-50 words over.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think it matters. UM doesn’t care about essays in the first place, and an admissions officer told our tour group “We promise we don’t count words”.</p>
<p>^gee what an awesome attitude for someone wanting to go to U of M so badly</p>
<p>o__o, what’s wrong with my attitude?</p>