<p>My son went "Over" a half page on his personal essay. Frankly I think it needed editing but since he finished it at 11:00 PM the night it was to be postmarked by midnight...Ha. He had great outcomes. But don't overtax your reader in any way...it is a gift to follow the rules if possible. Nothing you can write about is that interesting under these specific circumstances. It is a sign of Social Intelligence to also picture your reader. Who has a stack of earnest essays to read right after yours.</p>
<p>Those kids who finish their essays early can get a second opinion and trim and streamline. Sometimes I wonder if my son's essays seemed more genuine because they did not receive comments for cuts by the English teacher. Every time I see his personal essay, I see what needed cutting..but then would it look like a 50 year old wrote it?</p>