<p>The common app allows you to use up to 300 characters to answer this question. Does this mean we shouldn't just list five characteristics? Should we describe/provide examples of them?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I was wondering the same thing.</p>
<p>I wouldn't wonder about it too much. The bottom line is Stanford will reject you anyway once they get your $75 so the less time you spend on it the more time you can have for more important and productive applications.</p>
<p>I think they just want five words, if they wanted an explanation I think they would have said so.</p>
<p>u describe each characteristic... why in the world would they care if u just wrote 5 words... that says nothing about u... u have to describe the words... and for the guy that said stanford just wants ur $... he prob got rejected lol... just because they rejected u doesnt mean their taking ur $</p>
<p>its limit is 300 characters (i.e four= 4 characters)... not 300 words... so i think 5 words can essentially be within that limit... </p>
<p>That above phrase is at least 100 characters or so...</p>
<p>My son just put five words.....</p>
<p>Five words is fine. Do what fits with your application's voice.</p>
<p>My S also just used 5 words, and he was admitted.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure it's just five words.</p>