<p>Do/ did any of you have a problem with the space provided for the smaller essays on the common app? Carleton only gives 300-400 charecters for its questions! That's about 100 words, I really can't say anything in 100 words. Did any of you just write more in additional info? How do you answer why Carleton or who is your favorite teacher in less than 100 words? I don't want to write than I'm allowed because that just looks bad, but wow.</p>
<p>I had the exact same problem. I stomped around my house for a few days, and then I realized that I should probably just write the short answers within the word limit. I found that you can go a little bit over the limit, but you basically have to be concise. You might just put some extra tidbits about you in the additional info box. give them more reasons to accept you! hope that helps</p>
<p>I had a problem, too. Peeved me. But as Libs said, I just edited and squeezed it all down to below the limit. Grrrr.</p>
<p>(By the way, love your name, myccname!)</p>
<p>Umm....I submitted everything on paper, so I typed the essays separately--formatting and all. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't quite jumped on the technological bandwagon.</p>
<p>thanks for the help (and the compliment). Did you notice a word limit anywhere? I wrote my spereratly and just noticed when I went to put it in that it only accepted 400 charecters.</p>
<p>I can't be mad though, Carleton has been awesome with everything else~ the SAT cartoon, prompt alumni interview request return... I wish I knew more about Carleton to like.</p>
<p>Ohhh that character limit was TORTURE! I'm not exceedingly verbose, but it was impossible to fit exactly what I wanted to say. Just condense like mad, my friend.</p>
<p>And I'm pretty sure there wasn't a stated word limit.</p>
<p>I'm doing everything on paper; there isn't a character limit but they give some 3-4 lines... They apparently want us to be concise. </p>
<p>Btw, at the end of it, before the signature line, it says that we can add additional sheets of paper to lengthen our answers. Do they say that on the online app?</p>
<p>Obviously there's a reason for the short space -- they want you to be "to the point". It's a test to see how good you are communicating. Being that they could look for any reason to throw out your app (I'm not saying they will) why chance it? Do what they want.</p>
<p>That's why they call 'em "short answers". It's surprising how tight editing can add focus and snap to a paragraph. I'd strive to fit the space. Speaking personally, if I gave someone room for 400 characters and they sent me 400 words instead, I'd consider that a negative. Not an app-killer, perhaps, but an indication that the writer is in love with his/her own prose or just missed the point of the limited space.</p>
<p>Start with a haiku reply, and add to it if absolutely necessary. ;)</p>
<p>I was so tempted to just use bullet points in the Supplement, but I didn't have the nerve. :o</p>
<p>I just tried to reply with a haiku, but I couldn't get myself down to lines of less than ten syllables. Grrr.</p>
<p>Hm, but you've sent it in right? Sit back and relax! (read: pray! :))</p>
<p>Yeah...I did...last night. In a way, I was relieved we were made to make the answers short, except for the one about books (I love books!!!) and the "why carleton". 400 words/chars (forgot which) was way too little.</p>
<p>My answers made me feel so blunt.</p>
<p>if you're using the online app, you can type in a separate document & paste into the box. you still have to print preview & make sure nothing's cut off, but it worked just fine for me, and i am in no way concise.</p>
<p>i got in early decision, and i am so excited...i hope to see you guys next year!</p>
<p>That's what I did as well. Typed in MS word and then just pasted into the box. print preview. Was able to write more with that. Otherwise, there was only a very little space.
Got in ED. Happy!! Next year.... Carleton.</p>
<p>Maybe they only gave you that many character's for a reason...It's not hard to make a box that can fit more, I think they wanted you to stay short. If it's a short answer, it forces you to be concise and thoughtful.</p>