<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me if keeping within the word limit on the application essays is imperative? With Milton Academy it stated that the essays 'should not be more than 500 words in length', but Hotchkiss said approximately 500 words. Would a 580 word essay be going too far? I tried e-mailing the admissions office, but they've yet to reply. </p>
<p>Thanks! :D</p>
<p>Try to keep it around 500. I have a similar question, too. Mine runs 507 words on its own, and 526 with a quote I have at the beginning. I am not too hesitant about submitting this, though I would like to stick to the guidelines. </p>
<p>I guess what I am trying to say is they don’t have a computer and, hence, they can’t get the exact word count. It’s not being “sly” or anything as they know the rambifications of setting an unverifiable “limit” with regard to the word count. Just make sure the admissions officer won’t be able to distinguish between an ideal sized essay and yours.</p>
<p>580 words isn’t “around” the marker but well above it. I would be able to distinguish between yours and a 500 word essay (simple font 12 words-line), though it may not significantly hurt you.</p>
<p>I would say 580 words is too much. They give a limit for a reason and I would assume that seeing an essay above the limit would not be as pleasing as seeing one at or below the limit.</p>