<p>I just finished my first draft of 'Why Oberlin' and it's 6103 characters (with spaces)! Could someone help me read the essay and suggest what should I cut off? I'm also not very sure about grammatical correctness and how my essay comes across so any input is appreciated. I will PM you my essay if you reply.</p>
<p>Please help me out!
Thanks so much.</p>
<p>oops sorry I meant 3000 characters. 3000 words is just insane.</p>
<p>Note that it is not supposed to be an “essay.” Here is what the common app says on the Oberlin supplement, </p>
<p>"Please write a BRIEF STATEMENT that addresses the following:
Given your interests, values, and goals, explain why Oberlin College will help you grow (as a student and a person) during your undergraduate years.</p>
<p>But 3000 characters = 600 words it’s long enough to be called an essay already don’t you think?</p>
<p>And yes I know I tried to be brief but eventually I strayed overboard )':</p>
<p>As a fellow student applying to Oberlin, I’ll be writing that essay soon… after submitting 6 apps, with similar prompts, I’d say 300-400 is the MAX… after that, you need to cut down (unless it’s specified to write longer)</p>
<p>I guess my problem is that I have a long ass essay that sounds nice enough that I don’t know which part to cut, thus I need an objective ear to help me shorten it.</p>
<p>Is there someone at your school who might be able to help - a guidance counselor or English teacher? Chances are they’ve seen tons of college essays and will have a good idea how to trim yours own. (I’d offer to take a look, but I’m busy enough with my own essays for classes…)</p>
<p>Well my schools send students almost exclusively to national U so I’m not quite sure how familiar my counselor with the LAC supps. Plus mine contains some private info that I don’t want to be read by the ppl around me. I would really appreciate any help!</p>
<p>Well there are loads of people at the essays thread who’d do it. Since no one here seems to be able to do it, why don’t you try there?</p>
<p>I will be posting in the essay forum soon, thank you for your suggestion. I guess I wanted to post here first as I really value an Obie perspective.</p>
<p>I get it. Who knows there might be some Obies there too.</p>