<p>my essay is like...800 words. i know that's overkill, and i'll shorten it, but i was kind of confused. i thought common app truncates an essay when it's over 500 words, but when i previewed my essay in print preview, everything was intact?</p>
<p>Definitely shorten it..not for just the common app but for the adcoms! =)
As for everything being intact, I'm confused as well. Try to keep your essay 500-600 words though.</p>
<p>The common app lies when it says it will truncate past 500 words. I believe its actually a character limit, but never tested my theory.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'd think anything <650 words will be fine.</p>
<p>common app will give the whole page for your essay. Even a 1000 word fit in.</p>