<p>My personal essay for the common app is 650 words. Is that okay with Northwestern? To ED acceptees> How long were your essays?</p>
<p>Although my opinion is by no means the final word since I'm not on the admissions committee, I would think that you have a flexibility of about 100 words on the personal essay.</p>
<p>My personal essay was 556 words, and I got accepted ED. I really don't think NU is counting every single word in your essay, but it might be noticeable that you went over the limit if you're at 650 words. </p>
<p>You might want to consider trimming it down to 600 or slightly less. The only concern I would have is that NU may think the author of a long personal essay either a.) doesn't know how to follow directions or b.) is full of themselves. But really, that's just being paranoid.</p>
<p>In all honesty, 650 words is probably fine and will go unnoticed if your essay is well written and worth reading.</p>
<p>I agree with <em>taryn</em>, a well-written essay of 600 words is better than a crap essay of 475. However, if you go to 600 words, it better be because you absolutely need all of those words and not because you need filler. Reread your essay line by line and take out anything that isn't contributing.</p>
<p>If they're all good, don't worry.</p>
<p>Cut out at least 50 words.</p>