Over the Word Limit Essays

<p>I have to have a 500 word max personal statement for James Madison U. However, I want to use my JHU Essay because its reallly really good. Only prob, is that its 627 words. Are they gonna be ****ed if I submit it anyway?</p>

<p>I would not submit an essay over 515 words..and that's pushing the envelope. 627 is waaaaaay over the top. Condense it, it probably means there's either too many details than necessary or you keep dragging on the same stuff.</p>

<p>Naaah, its just perfect. And for my JHU, it had to between 500-1000; so its not too many words.</p>

<p>so if it's just perfect why are you asking here? and maybe it's not to many words originally, but the other college doesn't want a 627 word essay when they say 500. a few words probably won't matter much, but that's a pretty big difference.</p>

<p>Bottom Line: </p>

<p>I dont' feel like writing another perfect essay when I have one already.</p>

<p>Actually, I did a little snip snip done deal and I got to 535. </p>

<p>And it actually sounds better =( So now JHU has my screwy version
<em>sigh</em></p>

<p>What do you guys think about submitting a 570 word essay for the UC's 600 word one? I really don't want to make it bloated :P</p>

<p>If the 570 one is really good, go with it. They're not going to reject you because you went 30 words under the limit.</p>

<p>Sorry to hijack, but it's better than starting a new thread. I'm having the same problem: even though the common app suggests 250-500 words for my essay, is it acceptable to go above and beyond (within reason, of course--700-800 words)? I am applying to major journalism schools, and I would imagine 500 words would hardly be sufficient to express myself fluidly.</p>

<p>For the common app essay I'd just keep it at 2 pages double spaced or under, that's all. My essay was 845 words, yeah that's bad, but it's too lat enow. But if it specifically says on the specific school's application not to go over 500, I wouldn't do it by much.</p>

<p>Surprise of the Century -- </p>

<p>The very ESSENCE of journalism is crisp, concise writing. Journalism has been defined as "the best you can do in the time and space available."</p>

<p>Brevity is the sine qua non of journalism. Keep it short!!!</p>

<p>Sorry, but I'm hijacking this post, as there seems to be no activity lately and I don't think my question deserves an entirely new thread. I am applying to George Washington University and they specifically state "Tell us in no more than 500 words". My essay is currently 630 words, which is definitely too much, so I am going to attempt to truncate it. I think I can shorten the essay to about 550 words, but is that still too much?</p>

<p>if they definitely say no more than 500 words you should try to get it as close as possible.</p>

<p>OK, thanks (it's going to be a daunting task).</p>

<p>Reduced to 520...that was painful.</p>

<p>Could i go up to 50 words over the limit? I have a 750ish word essay that i wanted to use for the common app diversity question and I could cut about 200 words from it by taking out a paragraph and rephrasing stuff.</p>