How long is too long on an application essay?

<p>I'd say make it as long as you want as long as every single word is enough to keep the reader interested. You should sound interesting in your essay, not verbose or incomplete. It will be pretty obvious if you deleted all the articles in your essay to make it shorter, which I've seen kids do.</p>

<p>I looked at the word count of a page on MS word: a solid page of writing, 1" margins, 12-point Times New Roman, single spacing, no title. Comes out to 800 words. So, I think that should be your max.</p>

<p>First of all, i highly doubt adcoms would count how many words you used. && I highly doubt they'll even notice that you did like what? 700? so if you have to go over then do it. Only if its necessary</p>

<p>Well the common app has no limit, so i would just assume it is reasonable 1 page.</p>

<p>And that word count is definitely wrong because i have 1 page, single spaced, 12 font and it only comes out to 576 words.</p>

<p>Should the essay(s) be single or double spaced when they are cut and pasted into the Common Application or any application? Or does it even matter ??</p>

<p>^^ I would think single-spaced, though I'm not sure.</p>

<p>Thanks.... I was just thinking in terms of someone reading the essays....I usually find it easier on the eyes to read things double spaced rather than single spaced.</p>

<p>If you're pasting into the Common App website form, I think it will probably come out to be single spaced. I can't imagine that the double spaced format would remain consistent.</p>

<p>They say the best writers can express something in 5 words that others have to express in 50. You get my point. Wordiness gets to me very easily though.</p>

<p>BIGTWIX:</p>

<p>"And that word count is definitely wrong because i have 1 page, single spaced, 12 font and it only comes out to 576 words."</p>

<p>What font face are you using (Times is a standard)? What are your margins (1" is standard)? What was the sampling of words that you used? Did you have multiple paragraphs? I used a solid block of text (an essay).</p>

<p>A solid block of text for an essay?</p>

<p>umm I've written 2 pages..didnt actually sit down to calculate the number of words.. But I feel one page is a bit too small..then again I am not sure what is it that they wanna read about me</p>