Submitting Application Late - issues with word limit

Hi, I’m a cc student looking to transfer - Harvard is my dream school. I was working on my application via common app last night, putting finishing on supplements and what not. However, when pasting my essays into the text boxes on the app, I noticed a significant portion of my essays had been cut off. That’s when I realized that because Harvard hadn’t specified what the word limit was for the essays, I had just followed the 3000 number on the bottom right of the text box. The box never said whether it was 3000 characters or words, so I automatically assumed it was 3000 words. Turns out, I was wrong, and my essays were being cut off because they over the 3000 character limit. I’ve spent the past day cutting down my 2500-3000 word essays into roughly 500 word narratives, and i’m only halfway done with the process.
However, I’m devastated because the deadline was last night, and I won’t be done with my essays till tomorrow. I emailed harvard transfer offices last night, and have yet to hear back from them, but called them this morning as was told that it was basically up to the common app technology to decide whether it would let me submit the app two days late. Do you guys think if it is accepted by the common app it will be considered by harvard as well? I intend to maintain contact with the offices and specify that because they never stated the word/character limit for the supplements on the app, I should have my application considered, because of the circumstances. Thoughts?

I can’t answer your question, but why should common app and/or Harvard allow late applications?

I find it curious that you had difficulty understanding the word count for the personal statement. I just looked on the Common App and the Harvard transfer app section says this on the top of the Documents page:

That seems pretty clear wrt to word count.

I will say the transfer app module of Common App is difficult to use and non-intuitive…but this is why applicants shouldn’t wait until the last day.

I do hope things work out for you, and that you also applied to other schools…including some matches, and an affordable safety.

Good luck.

A 3000 word essay? That would be ridiculously long. No admissions officer has time to read a six page single spaced essay. I’m sorry you experienced this, but giving yourself plenty of time and paying attention to the requirements are also part of what goes into submitting an application. Hopefully you have some other options lined up.

@Mwfan1921

I wasn’t talking about the personal statement that is part of the common app, I meant the supplements that are asked by Harvard. For the personal statement, I was obviously within the word limit because they stated the word count. I screenshotted what it looks like, but don’t know how to attach a photo. In any case, they never specified the word count for their supplements, other than the number 3000 in a corner.

@Lindagaf
That’s what I thought! But then I figured, it’s Harvard, and they have a ridiculous application process. Unfortunately, I did start the application late, because my parents wouldn’t allow me to apply since they didn’t want me to go to an out-of-state school. I’m a minor, and would need their permission. By the time I convinced them and started working on the supplements, I had a week before the deadline to write five - what I thought were meant to be 3000 word - essays. Facepalm.

OP I feel for you, had the same issue with a different university. 1500 was listed under questions, no specification of words or characters. Nothing was required under documents tab so if it was stated there I likely overlooked it. Not being at all familiar with Common App or essay limits I assumed incorrectly and had to revise.

At the same time this is a hard lesson regarding time management. I still had two to three weeks before the deadline. Schools are not going to accommodate a late application for the reason you’ve stated. Especially if the word maximum is listed anywhere else on the application or on their website. I hope you have other options, good luck.

Yes, I see the questions you are referring to now.

The word ‘briefly’ (which is used in several of their additional questions) should have been your first clue it wasn’t 3,000 words. As you type in those boxes, it counts the characters for you, so you know where you are wrt the count.

I do think you have to be prepared for Harvard not to accept your application…not only did most applicants successfully navigate the word/character count. With a less than 1% transfer acceptance rate (15 of 1548, 2018/19 CDS), admission chances are/were very slim anyway…and most of those transfers were likely hooked (urm, athletes, and/or from two year colleges where Harvard historically takes students from, e.g., Deep Springs).

Have you applied elsewhere?

@SatanFlower69
Thanks! I know I made a silly mistake, but luckily Harvard just got back to me and gave until this evening to submit.

@Mwfan1921
I know I have a slim chance of getting accepted, and will put far more effort into my application for graduate school, but I still felt I had to try, you know? I did apply to my safety school, and I essentially have guaranteed admission thanks to my cc, so I will definitely be going transferring to a four-year next year.

Thanks for the help! Got to go finish my essays before 5 pm lol.