So for two of the short-answer writing questions, it says they should be “About 150 words.” How far over or under 150 do you think would be acceptable?
Also, are those two short answers (elaborations on an EC and summer vacations) supposed to be straightforward/matter-of-fact or more story like? For example: I was going to write about being editor of the newspaper. I wanted to use two anecdotes–one from freshman year of my friend and I writing a normal article and promising each other we’d never be editors, and the next from four years later of us finishing our first issue as editors. If I do this, it may be a significant amount over 150…like 220 words or so? Within there I’d try to include ways being an editor is meaningful to me. However, is it better to just talk about the experience of being an editor itself, and what it taught me/how it was meaningful? I’d appreciate any advice! Thank you!
150 words plus or minus 20% (so 120-180) seems reasonable to me. As to you other question, I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong answer. I’d look at it as an open ended opportunity to communicate in whatever way serves you best.
Nothing over 150 words. The common app won’t let you type in any additional words. Make it interesting with a first sentence or anecdote but get to the point quickly because you literally can’t type more unless you hyphenate your words which will look silly!
Actually the max word count Common App will allow is 250. Should we go with 250 max or 150 max?