<p>I basically agree that one should aim to keep the word count in the ball park that's requested. However, if after revising and editing and revising some more, any further shortening seems to compromise the quality of the piece, and it still goes over (but is within the visual two page, double spaced limit), I would not shorten it further. Both my kids did go over somewhat with no ill effects whatsoever. I do not believe adcoms count words, and if the essay grabs them and keeps their attention, they won't care. We were also reassured after noting, in the Harvard book of accepted essays, that a few examples were actually quite a bit longer than 500 words.</p>