<p>I have one of my essays finished, and think that it is very very good. The problem is that it is much too long. The application says 500 words is not a limit, but a guideline. My essay is currently in the 900 word range. I am having a terrible time trying to shorten it. This has less to do with me growing attatched to a work I have produced, but more with the fact that each line seems essential to the product. How long of an essay can I get away with before it hurts me? thanks, eric</p>
<p>ps the essay is for MIT amongst several other reletively high ranking schools, if that makes any difference at all.</p>
<p>I have a version of the essay that I have shortened to about 650 words. I do not like this version near as much as the full, but I need to keep it short. Is this short enough to turn in?</p>
<p>Well it really depends on what exactly it says, i'm not applying to MIT, so i don't know does it use the Common App or their own? If it's the common app it doesn't say anywhere 500 as a guideline, so 650 should be fine, but if it's a different type of app, i would try to stay as close to 500 as you could. 480-550 would be the limit i would go with. Maybe get rid of words that over emphasize a point, or find some words that sum up thoughts of a sentence. Just some advice.</p>
<p>A lot of admission officers are vague about essay lengths, but say to write what is necessary. If you really feel that it is impossible to edit your essay any further, then submit your essay as it is. Or submit the shorter one (that's what I ended up doing with one of my essays, but I made it work.)</p>