How long is your essay?

Transfer Students
1

<p>How long is your Common Application (250 words minimum) Essay?</p>

2

<p>660 words, I think as long as you’re under 700 words its fine.</p>

3

<p>Anyone else?</p>

4

<p>Mine is a bit longer–probably just under 1000 words when I finish. I think it is very case dependent though. My reason for transferring is a bit complicated so it naturally takes longer to explain. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Dang, I called admissions for several schools like Cornell, JHU, Washington University in St. Louis, and they said that you should keep it around 500 as much as possible. </p>

<p>Does anyone else have a number?</p>

6

<p>Download the app from the CA website, it states 250-500 words.</p>

7

<p>Yeah I don’t think a 1000 words will fit. I think people say stay around 500-600 max.</p>

8

<p>Oh dear. :/</p>

9

<p>Well, no. It isn’t a set rule. I’m just concerned whether or not it will fit when you press “Print Preview.”
I have heard people say that it is okay to go over 700 if you really feel like it is a strong essay.
Anyone else have any word length inputs?</p>

10

<p>Anyone else?</p>

11

<p>I would follow the stated directions which are in bold:

Yes you can submit your application if you exceed 500 words but the directions are given for a reason. Not abiding the word limit demonstrates an applicant’s inability to follow simple directions.</p>

12

<p>mine will also be around 1000 words. where does it say 250-500 words? all my commonapp says is minimum of 250 words</p>

13

<p>When you Print Preview the application you will see the directions. </p>

<p>I would follow the advice from entomom with the CA directions. They are in place for a reason. Secondly, transfer essays are different compared to freshman. Freshman essays have more room for creativity while transfer essays you need to make your points. I want to transfer because X, Y, Z.</p>

<p>Either way you guys are welcome to write as much as you want but in this case more is not good.</p>

14

<p>I’d say around 550-580 Maximum. 600 if you’re confident.
Admissions said they read so many essays, it will make it easier for them. Anything longer than the norm may seem too boring or exaggerated.</p>

15

<p>Do you think that 520 would be fine? Or is that stretching the maximum too much?</p>

16

<p>520 is fine.</p>

17

<p>Anymore imput on this? I have 570.
Should I cut it down to 550?</p>

18

<p>570 is fine. I wouldn’t sweat it.</p>

19

<p>I’ve seen some people write like 750-900 words.</p>

20

<p>Any more input?</p>