<p>Ok, so I've promised myself to finish this essay today, and I don't have much time left! (not to mention I gotta do exeter tomorrow... yikes)</p>
<p>Problem is, I really can't find out what to say. While it says 500 words or less, what do you think the minimum barline would be for that?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Well mines 600. They mean 500, but I doubt anyones counting and that they really care if its EXACTLY 500. If they do o well...ill take my chances.</p>
<p>oh....</p>
<p>just out of curiousity :
when you wrote this, did you use the traditional 5 paragraph format, or did you just go by the flow and write however you want?</p>
<p>Well, since they didnt give me lines and allowed for it to be typed out. I used paragraphs, its 5...but that's just a coincidence.</p>
<p>Andover boarding student applications are not due until February 1st, right? So, why the stress? For day students, you still have some time, too..</p>
<p>yeah 500 words is just far too little. mine's 522, but once again, no one's actually going to count. </p>
<p>i just went with the flow, it doesn't have to be a standard 5 paragraph essay</p>
<p>500 words is too little? I thought going over was... a bad thing! Because the directions are :</p>
<p>"Please answer one of the questions below in 500 words or less"</p>
<p>I'd encourage you all to follow the directions. Remember, they get plenty of applications from kids who manage to express themselves in 500 words or less, so why not give it your best effort?</p>
<p>i still have 13 words to cut down... those of you with more, did you cut it down, or leave it as it is? </p>
<p>by the way, it's really supposed to be postmarked before feb 1 right?</p>
<p>Seriously....13 words...don't worry about it.</p>
<p>noonoo i meant 500 words is too little as in they should let us write more haha.</p>
<p>Part of it is seeing how concise you can be in writing. If there's absolutely nothing you can delete from it to make the essay give the same "message", then leave it as it is. </p>
<p>However, if you can write an essay within the word limit that gives the same message, then the admission people might think higher of your writing ability.</p>
<p>They won't even know if its in the word limit if your not like 150 words over the limit. Don't worry.</p>
<p>Why not just cut off the words and be safe?</p>
<p>If doing so would be detrimental to the message in your essay then cutting out those extra words, even if it did cause the applicant to be "safe," would still screw them because their essay didn't have the same impact</p>
<p>If you can't cut off a couple words, your not doing a very good job of editing >.<
The essay was intended to be under 500 words, so it should be. Do it however you feel is best I guess though =/</p>