<p>So I just saw the optional essay that states:
"Share with us a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, plays, pieces of music, musicians, performers, paintings, artists, blogs, magazines, or newspapers. Feel free to touch on one, some, or all of the categories listed, or add a category of your own." </p>
<p>I was unaware that the instructions say write a 1-2 paragraph essay. So, I wrote a four paragraph essay (454 words) about Mariah Carey (judge me) and I am SO proud of it. It really reflects who I am and I really want to include it, but I can't bear to cut anything. Would this be acceptable to submit at its current length or should I just start from scratch? Thanks!</p>
<p>Sounds like you poured yourself into this essay! Kudos to you. The admissions counselors I know are lenient with things like that. They are mostly looking for what, how, and why you write. If you submitted that essay, you would still be eligible for acceptance meaning it would not “disqualify” your application. However, email the admissions office just to be safe.</p>
<p>Also, you said you can’t bear to cut anything. The deadline is a ways off so take some time away from the essay and come back to it in a week or two with fresh eyes. You may see it differently. (general advice for any writing process)</p>
<p>don’t email them, they process thousands of applications they really don’t want to be bothered, trust me.</p>
<p>that being said 454 words is longer than average but not in a bad way. tbh 70% of all essays are at least a tag longer than what counselors ask for. If it represents who you are, submit it, but I would suggest coming back every month or so and trying to revise even the best of essays. Fresh perspective can help a lot.</p>
<p>@sa0209 and @LearningLover
I was really just trying to figure out the leniency of the admissions board if my essay were too long but thank you guys SO much for the response, really helpful! I’m in the process of cutting some things as it is a rough draft and I joined two paragraphs together to make it two paragraphs long so hopefully that will help. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Don’t worry, they admissions board is super lenient. I was unaware of any of the length requirements whatsoever for the UChicago essays because IIRC they weren’t posted on the Common App page. My Why UChicago Essay was a full page long and Uncommon essay was a page and a half (both single spaced). My optional essay was 2/3 of a page and had an unfinished sentence at the end of a paragraph (it ended up being grammatically correct, but had not period and sounded disorganized because the idea was well developed). And they still accepted me. </p>
<p>UChicago is probably the one school that appreciates what you are trying to say in your essay more than if you follow the rules. That being said though, if you can cut your essays down to size without sacrificing quality then definitely do it.</p>
<p>@ramboacid
Wow thanks for the response! I’m confident in submitting my essays now, but of course I’ll edit the essays and attempt to cut, if possible, any things I find unnecessary later on!</p>