How many words is too many for UC personal statements?

College Essays
1

<p>My total from both essays is about 1030. I have heard mixed opinions about how many words are acceptable when the two essays are combined. Can anyone with an actual idea help me out here?</p>

2

<p>‘Personal Statement 1 and 2, when added together, can be no more than 1,000 words.’
stated in the UC application.</p>

3

<p>Although it is recommended that the personal statements combined should not be over 1,000 words, it is fine if you go over the limit by a little. According to UCB, “Stay within the word limit as closely as you can. A little over—1,012 words, for example—is fine.” <a href=“http://admissions.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docs/Freshman_Flier.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docs/Freshman_Flier.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>I, too, thought 1000 words was a hard limit, but then I saw the Berkeley flier and got confused…</p>

5

<p>Actually I guess the limit is 1,000 because I keep getting a warning that I have exceeded my word limit and it asks me to shorten my essays.</p>

6

<p>You can however go a little above the 1K limit but not too much. Maybe like 50 words or so.</p>

7

<p>Good luck to you all!!</p>

8

<p>I would say no more than 1015… Safer to just follow the instructions though. Get someone to chop up your essay!</p>

9

<p>you should be fine. as long as when you submit it, it doesn’t come up with a warning or stops you from submitting it.</p>

10

<p>I would shorten it per the guidelines. Some applications will simply eliminate the overage and leave your essay without a nice ending. Eliminating 15 words should not be that hard.</p>