Maybe it’s just me, but does anyone else have trouble responding to the prompt in under 200 words? It seems nearly impossible (for me at least) to put together a well-rounded response and say everything I want to all while giving their recommended anecdote and personal background (as suggested by them).
Perhaps it’s because I haven’t seen anyone else’s responses so I can’t compare, but I feel like I could say much more.
I managed to cut down my essay to 200 words. Granted, it could be much better if I could go over the limit, but it’s really a matter of making sure you use your words efficiently. Try rewording phrases to get under that limit.
Yeah, specifically the “what excites you about Notre Dame?” prompt. I’m actually over the limit by 25 words, but the commonapp actually accepts it, so I’m not sure if I should still cut it down to the stated (but apparently not mandated) minimum.
It just feels like from both the applicant and counselor side of things that so much is being left out.
@ChiefCelery For that prompt, I was actually 50 words over before I started revising, and I’m contemplating rewriting it after visiting campus. I’ve heard that if you are over in words, admission officers won’t even read the essays, so try to get below the word count. If never heard that it’s not mandated before. Where did you hear this?
You won’t be able to say everything, that is true. So focus on what matters most. I focused on the fact that for 18 years, Notre Dame wasn’t even really on my radar. My dad went to ND, so I watched football from home and whatnot, but coming to school here wasn’t really my plan. Until I visited, and now the rest is history. While others were clamoring how they’ve wanted to go here their whole life, and they would die to get in, I stood out (even though starting off by saying I didn’t want to go here was a little risky) by going the other way. Make yourself stand out. Focus only on what makes Notre Dame the place for you.
Didnt mean to say they are not mandated as in counselors do not care, but that the common app actually DOES allow you to enter over 200 words on the why does Notre Dame excite you prompt. For the rest of the supplementals, the common app DOES NOT allow you to go over the word limit and will not let you submit if you are over 200 words, however. Not sure why that is.
I just thought it was odd, is all. Maybe a mistake on their part. 
@ChiefCelery Ahh, I see what you are saying. Still, I think it might best to play it safe and stay under the limit (or at least that’s what I’ll be doing). That is very odd though, so I wonder if ND doesn’t care for that essay.
I think part of the point is to see how well an applicant can craft a meaningful response in the confines of a tight word limit.
I agree with previous post. I hit the 170 word mark but originally hit 215. Its all about being concise yet thorough. Hopefully your common app essay goes into a little more detail about yourself. But anyways, focus on yourself and why you are a match, not that the school is a match for you. (hope you see what I mean…)
I will stand by my long held rule-if they say “no more than 200 words” then don’t start out as a rule breaker. Keep it simple and stay within the guidelines.