<p>I have begun writing college essays today! Whoopee!</p>
<p>Anyway, I am writing an essay based on the common app prompt that asks for a description of a person that has influenced you and how they have done so.</p>
<p>While the Common app says a minimum of 250 words, I wrote an essay today that is about 415 words. While I am kind of iffy on whether the essay gets the point across, my major problem right now is that it is only a page and a half long double spaced!! It seems really short to me!</p>
<p>Can anybody tell me if this length will work? I am trying to get into some Ivy League schools and am not quite sure what they are looking for as far as length and quantity is concerned. </p>
<p>It really depends on everyone, but considering (and looking at) just the word amount itself, it isn't short. 250~500 preferred, definitely under 800ish is what I hear often. But then again there are those with maybe 200 words (scarce), some 1000.</p>
<p>actually, 415 is a perfect size if it gets the point across. Admissions officers dont wanna sit there reading a long essay with excess writing. Keep it short and sweet.</p>
<p>cool, thanks guys. Maybe its because I have been working on it so much today, but it doesn't seem like I can add anything to the essay. It's not my final draft of course, but is that a clue that maybe the essay is as complete as it should be (with edits here and there of course)?</p>
<p>Well i would argue that good essays are pithy. I say this because a good essay should a) let the person know who you are and b) allow them to have a remembering effect. With that said a short essay that accurately portrays you would be good, because with you want them to stay captivated and reading and then feel as if you were there beside them. Conversations are short, speak to them and it will be short. But more importanly if i was an admission officer I would smile at one page, but frown at 3. Think about a powerful poem can be better than an entire book.</p>
<p>Ex. Words do not convey me. As i am unbound. I am more the stars, as I shine for all to see.
In those short lines you can give someone perspective and be ambigous enough to allow their minds to enter into it, and when you engage someone they will be more favorable deposed.</p>