<p>How long (or short) should the responses to the short answers be. Other applications seem to want a very short essay (100 words) or so. But the NU application doesn't seem to be asking for that much. Is that right?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>i had that question too, until i decided to fill out the app online
on the online portion of the short answer section, it says to limit answers to less than or around 50 words...</p>
<p>so i guess around 50 words is the answer!</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm using paper and didn't know whether to attach a separate sheet. Some of my responses were a little longer than 50 words and I couldn't fit them in the space. I guess I'll edit them down. Glad to know they are not looking for short essays on those.</p>
<p>Wow mine are close to 200 words, I guess as long as it takes to answer the question. It shouldn;t be 50 words beccause thats less than a paragraph. Just my tip.</p>
<p>I would recommend adhering to the 50 word limit. You might be able to stretch it with 60-75 words, but they are called SHORT answer for a reason; the reason being the admissions officers don't want to spend 10 minutes on each question. I would say that 200 words is a little much, it's 4 times the suggested limit. You're not going to write 2000 words for the personal statement so why would the short statement be any different?</p>
<p>Who says there's a 50 word limit. None of the apps Ive seen have any limit. And a 200 word short answer isn;t very long. 50 words is barely a good paragraph. I mean show me a good 50 word paragraph as a short answer</p>
<p>Well, on the paper app it asks for the response to be put in the space provided (so I'm glad I didn't go to the trouble of a long answer and attach a separate page) plus the questions really don't require a long answer. I guess I asked the original question because the other apps I'm working on seem to want their short answers to be much longer (short essays I guess). Just didn't want to give the Northwestern application anything less than the others. I've got to get my apps to my GC in a month or so for review.</p>
<p>Well it really depends on what your question is</p>
<p>Word for word from the online application: "Respond to the following questions in the space provided. Please limit your answers to no more than 50 words." </p>
<p>Take for example the short answer question: "You have just become the ruler of a country. What is the first law you enact?" All you have to do to sufficiently answer that question is to state the law, then take 2-3 sentences to explain why you would enact the law. They're not looking for much; this is your chance to be creative and write a brief, but memorable statement.</p>
<p>Last year, for the short answer questions, I answered the question in one sentence and then elaborated upon the answer in ONE or TWO short sentences. The adcoms are trying to get a feel of WHO you are with these quesitons, not how well you can demonstrate your knowledge of a subject. Just be genuine and succinct and you will be fine.</p>
<p>I went to an information session and the admission rep. said the answers can be a few words-or about two sentences but really no more than that.</p>
<p>Allright but on the Duke app, it says one to two paragraphs. A few words won';t do the trick</p>
<p>Northwestern ≠ Duke</p>
<p>I know but the original question posted by the first poster asked about other applications.</p>
<p>No, they said that they know that some other applications want a short essay , but they are not sure what Northwestern wants, and he was asking what Northwestern wants.</p>
<p>Allright a misunderstanding, Sorry about that</p>
<p>my duke short answer is 300 words... 3 paragraphs.</p>
<p>oops. i can't edit it anymore! i'm thinking 200-250 is perfect. perhaps i can stretch 50...</p>
<p>Like a wise man once said: Northwestern ≠ Duke</p>
<p>lol
why do ppl keep talkin bout duke app mann
just stick with 50 words that Northwestern asks you to write.
Personally, I wroute around 45-55. The admission office does not count words, that's all I can say</p>