Random Common App Essay Question

Applying to College
1

<p>Here's the Short Answer topic:
In the space provided below, please elaborate on one of your activities (extracurricular, personal activities, or work experience).</p>

<p>It asks for 150 words or 3500 characters. 150 words is way too short...but a 3500 character response seems a little too long for a 'Short Answer.' I don't want to end up putting an adcom to sleep with a long essay just on one extrarcirricular essay that's supposed to be 'short'.</p>

<p>How much SHOULD I write? Should this response be like...an essay or just a straightforward response?</p>

2

<p>Hi JD. I had the exact same question you did. 150 words usually comes out to around 1000 characters. I am thinking that since 150 words or less is spelled out, that is the limit they are looking for. I think that making it longer than say 160 words or so possibly / runs the risk of (a) the adcom folks not bother to read the rest and (b) the adcom folks getting upset that the applicant for failing to follow directions. As for content, I tend to think it should be mostly factual ( straightforward ) rather than the typical essay.
Not enough room for too much else besides facts.....
They probably want to see the applicant self evaluate one of his ECs....with</p>

3

<p>If they ask for 150 words, give them (approx.) 150 words. Don't go on and on and on. One paragraph about your best EC. That's it.</p>

4

<p>i'm assuming JDorian is not your real name? (if its not scrubs is the best show ever!)</p>

5

<p>3500 might be the largest number of characters the box can hold without cutting the essay off.</p>

6

<p>Catfish....you are probably correct. Setting up the box to hold 3500 characters seemingly would allow them to change the essay topic next year and provide for up to 500 words or so. 150 word is what they want; that is what they will get. Not worth getting the admin comm. mad over trying to add too many words.</p>

7

<p>Okay so my essay should be around 150 words ONLY, right? Nowhere near 3500 characters? (Why did they even put that limit up...).</p>