<p>If an application essay prompt asks for "brief" for the one and only essay but doesn't define brief, what is the general range for length that would be acceptable?</p>
<p>What is the essay question? For some topics, I think "brief" might be as long as one page. For many, it would be one paragraph. </p>
<p>Many of the "short essays" where the application provides word count or a physical space allocation allow about 1/4 to 1/3 of a single-spaced page. But these are usually where there are a couple of short essays and at least one "long" essay. Many (but not all) long essay limits are one page.</p>
<p>The long essays generally are expected to be around 500 words ( two pages double-spaced, 12 point font). Some do not have limits, but a 500-word essay is more or less standard.<br>
By this standard, 'brief" is 250 or fewer words, or 1-2 paragraphs.</p>
<p>make it concise, but make sure you get your point across. but i agree with marite</p>