How long should the supplemental application essay be?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hey everyone :) </p>

<p>So I'm almost completely done with my application to NU and I'm extremely nervous/excited! I was wondering though, how long does the supplemental application essay have to be? On the application there's no stated word count and I just want to make sure my essay doesn't get disqualified for being too long. Is there a word/character limit or can we write as much as we want? </p>

<p>(By the way, I'm referring to this question : What are the unique qualities of Northwestern - and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying - that make you want to attend the University? In what ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?) </p>

<p>Thanks for the help! :)</p>

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<p>300 words is a bit short, 500 words is about the average, 700 words is a bit long. </p>

<p>If you have a longer essay, make sure its not all fluff and that it is all relevant: Longer doesn’t always mean better.</p>

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<p>mine was about 400. quality vs. quantity is a good policy. you have to remember that these admissions officers are reading thousands of essays so short sweet and to the point is going to get you noticed a lot more than a never-ending prose</p>

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<p>that’s not to say that if you feel you have 800+ words worth of original and not redundant love for the school to cut anythig out. just make sure you are concise :)</p>

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<p>ahhh that all makes me feel a little bit better :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I won’t lie, mine is a bit long lol but I think all the info is necessary. I have cut out some of the ‘fluff’ as it sounded like I was just rambling on… but I still think it’s interesting enough to keep the reader captivated.</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies! Hopefully we’ll all be in Evanston soon :wink: !!</p>

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<p>Mine was 603 words, aha. And yeah, hopefully we’ll see each other in Evanston!</p>