<p>For the Princeton Supplemental Essay (if I use the Common Application), it says that the essay should be about 500 words. Thus far my essay is 588 words. Is that too high? Approximately how much more should I lower the word count? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone else applying to Princeton!</p>
<p>The advice I've always heard is to make it as short as possible without diluting your message. So if that's where it is right now, that's where it is. If not, see how you can get it there. Good luck to you too!</p>
<p>^ Agreed</p>
<p>mine was 479 words, but that's all i needed to get my message across; however, if 588 is what you need, then keep it that way</p>
<p>588 sounds good, but this summer I heard a Princeton admissions rep warn the students in the room to keep their essays short-he said reading long ones was irritating.</p>
<p>I doubt that there is a substantial difference between 500 and 590. My guess is that word limits exist, more or less, as guidelines for applicants. Of course the admissions people don't want to read a 30 page novel (let alone a 900 word essay), but I am sure they will not throw your application in the reject pile merely because you used a few too many words.</p>
<p>^ true, they won't reject you, but if it's not a spectacular essay, it'll negatively sway their opinion toward your application</p>