I Can't Even Write A Hamburger Recipe in 500 Words = /

Colleges & Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I appreciate that the AdComs have a ton of apps to read and everything, but how is one supposed to write a truly thoughtful, revealing essay that shows the adcom who he/she is in 500 words? Granted, I guess it can theoretically be done, but overcall I think the 500 word limit is a bit stiffling.</p>

<p>So here's the question. Let's say my essay is 700 (it is) words. However, I feel that taking more things out will really destroy the full impact of the essay. I've already cut out about 100 words that really polished the essay. If I keep on cutting, I might not have anything worth preserving. Anyone have thoughts on what I or anyone else not able to stik to the 500 words can do? Basically is ~700 words okay or is that TOO much over the limit (I have known ppl that have been WAYYY over though...)</p>

2

<p>Follow the directions - keep it at/under 500 words.</p>

3

<p>Everyone has found a way to write their essay around 500 words, so can you.</p>

4

<p>It's probably ok to go over around 100 words, but 200 is a bit too much.</p>

5

<p>The word limit tests your ability to be both cogent and concise simultaneously, a skillset one needs in college. It's not merely for the adcom's benefit, it's a means to assess whether you'll be successful at their school.</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
I appreciate that the AdComs have a ton of apps to read and everything, but how is one supposed to write a truly thoughtful, revealing essay that shows the adcom who he/she is in 500 words? Granted, I guess it can theoretically be done, but overcall I think the 500 word limit is a bit stiffling.</p>

<p>So here's the question. Let's say my essay is 700 (it is) words. However, I feel that taking more things out will really destroy the full impact of the essay. I've already cut out about 100 words that really polished the essay. If I keep on cutting, I might not have anything worth preserving. Anyone have thoughts on what I or anyone else not able to stik to the 500 words can do? Basically is ~700 words okay or is that TOO much over the limit (I have known ppl that have been WAYYY over though...)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You took two paragraphs to ask a simple question. You might be a wordy writer, and anything can be chopped down. I suggest, to you and anyone else:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/020530902X/104-7612377-3095158?redirect=true%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/020530902X/104-7612377-3095158?redirect=true&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
The word limit tests your ability to be both cogent and concise simultaneously, a skillset one needs in college. It's not merely for the adcom's benefit, it's a means to assess whether you'll be successful at their school.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not really. It's meant to see if you can follow directions, which is a skill set that one needs all walks of life. I'd keep it under 575 or so. It's hard to tell 500 vs. 600, but easy to tell 500 vs. 700. They're not going to count them.</p>

7

<p>Does the essay seriously now say "limit of 500 words"? </p>

<p>cause i just looked at the application from '03 (i actually feel old!) and it didnt give a word limit, you just couldnt go past the page....</p>

<p>that being said, my essay was 762 words.</p>

8

<p>if you really don't think you could cut down what you've written anymore, maybe you should try writing on a different topic. And make sure you're using your natural language. We had this big college counselling meeting for all the juniors and their parents a few months ago, and one of the adcoms said that she always reads essays where people say "I was pondering" and she was like "does anyone actually ponder?" So don't use stuff like that.</p>