<p>My response to question number 2 is 833 words. Question number 1 is fast approaching that length. I don't feel like I'm droning on and on or anything... but i'm worried that three long responses might be too much. Is anyone else in this situation? Are you cutting your essays down or leaving them long? Am I just overreacting?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance. : )</p>
<p>Well, my response to question 1 was 450 words, and i tried to cut it down to close to 300. My response to question 2 is around 350 words. I tried to keep the responses to questions 1 and 2 relatively short because my response to the major essay is only around 600 words.</p>
<p>Unless you feel that every word and sentence in your respone to question number 2 is absolutely necessary, I would suggest cutting it down. Even though Chicago places a lot of emphasis on essays, I would not be very happy if every applicant sent in 5 pages worth of essays.</p>
<p>Question #2 asks you to talk about your favorite things. Is your essay long because you mention a lot of favorites? Or is it long because you tried to develop it into a story, infuse in personal philosophy, etc. etc. etc. If it's long just because you list a lot of things, I would definitely suggest cutting it down from a barrage-like list and focusing on 3-5 things. Even focusing on just one thing would be good and better than listing a bunch of things, even if they show an eclectic/varied taste.</p>
<p>I hope this helps somewhat. I actually just finished my essays an hour ago :)</p>
<p>My essay for question #2 is definately not long because I'm listing a bunch of different things. I don't want it to sound too much like a laundry list. : ) I don't want to go into too much detail on here, but the reason my essay is so long is because I take the time to explain why I love what I chose to write about... I only talk about three things.</p>
<p>I had my dad and sister read the essay and they both felt that the length did not detract from the overall effect of the piece, and that it was "enjoyable", so I believe I am probably going to leave it alone. I am comfortable with the way it is. Art/music is my passion, and I feel that this essay very effectively shows that side of me.</p>
<p>However, now that I have written two heavy/serious essays I would really like to write something a bit more light-hearted for my major essay, which will be quite a challenge. ; )</p>
<p>...my #1 & 2 are 140 words and 160 words... Is that too short?</p>
<p>Wow your essays so short. My essay 1 is around 400 words, essay 2 around 950, and the major essay is around 1350. Now I'm feeling insecure about their length.</p>
<p>It is the quality not the quantity that counts in the essay. If you can have a good effect with 100 words, great; if you can have a good effect with 2000 words, great. They want to know you and how you handle ideas, what that takes in number of words will be highly variable.</p>
<p>My long essay's pretty much amazing though. ~1160 words. First two are average. >.></p>