<p>Hey guys, what's the maximum word limit for the common application essay? It says, 'Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below.' Is 1,000 words just too long?</p>
<p>No designated limit, but 1,000 words is really long. Unless they’re 1,000 fantastic words that are translating into a fantastic story that will hold the admissions officer’s attention for that long, it’s too much.</p>
<p>I’m sure some people have gotten in with a 1,000, but the admissions people are reading a lot of apps and will not want to read something of that length.</p>
<p>It is said the optimal number is around 500, give or take a hundred. Try cutting out the fluff and you’ll find yourself with a trimmer, more straightforward essay. Unecessary grammatical decorations, for one.</p>