<p>The Common App's quote essay has a somewhat ambiguous length, "about 300 words." I cut my essay down to 430 words. Is this acceptable, or should I cut it down more? (I obviously don't want to "push it" or risk anything by sending an essay they deem as not following the rules)</p>
<p>A terrific 430 word essay is better than a merely adequate 300 word essay.</p>
<p>But could the fact that it exceeds the recommended length detract from it?</p>
<p>If it's extremely good, it won't. If the extra words are just more garbage, then it will. More than likely, it will simply reinforce what the rest of your application says about you.</p>
<p>Most people are unable to judge the quality of their own writing. They would be well-advised to keep to the word limit suggested on the application. In fact, the simple process of cutting down the word length is likely to improve the quality of the essay, by forcing you to focus on what is important.</p>
<p>Even very smart students who think they write extremely well should take this advice.</p>
<p>A small minority write SO well that length doesn't matter since the admissions people will want the essay to never end, since it is so fascinating and so well written. FAR more peple think they are in that small minority than are actually in that small minority.</p>
<p>Is 330 enough or should I try to still cut down? I started from about 580 and I think every word left reveals something or is a grammatical need.</p>
<p>330 is pefect. angelutza, please share your experience, do you think your 330 word essay is better than the 580 version?</p>
<p>The extra words gave some more detail, but I don't know how much of it was showing and how much was simply telling, if you get what I mean. The shorter one seems more straight to the point.</p>
<p>mine started at 610 and is now at 445. Cutting things is getting hard without detracting from the meaning. Is this too much? (BTW I don't think I am in that small minority!)</p>
<p>Force yourself to cut, then compare the two versions. Or let someone else compare them. But force yourself to cut. Cutting doesn't just mean deleting, it often can be just taking out superfluous words, or saying something in 3 words that you used 10 words to say. Write tight.</p>