<p>Hi! Does anybody know whether the supp essay has to be strictly 500 words? I think that there must be a spectrum of acceptable length, but I'm not sure. Do you think 710 is pushing it? How about 650?</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>Should be fine?</p>
<p>Similar question here. My supp essay is 350 words, should I try to lengthen it or do you guys think that's okay?</p>
<p>luxastraea: I think it'll be better to use the shorter one as long as the message you're trying to get across isn't lost.
pianista: I think 350 words is a bit short for a 500 word essay.. I think anything above 400 should be fine..</p>
<p>Then again, I'm a prospective student so I'm sure others will give you'll better advice.. I'm having trouble cutting down my essays as well :(</p>
<p>I would say that less is better than more, especially if it is a powerful 350 words that really gets what you want to say cross. I would also say that even 550 words would be pushing the 500 word limit, but a lot of people would disagree with me. 750 is DEFINITELY too much, and 650 also just seems like too much. Your essay is not as focused as it should be if it has to be 150+ words over the limit.</p>
<p>It's pretty focused, I think; it's just a hard topic to develop in 500 words. The 648 version doesn't leave out anything vital, though. </p>
<p>By the way, are you guys counting the quote as part of your number of words? (assuming that any of you chose topic 4, that is).</p>
<p>I think it really just matters how the essay is overall. mine is substantially over 500 words, but i really cannot cut it down without it losing effect and its about a very persoanl subject that i need the length to convey. if you can cut it down, cut it down. if you cannot, do not think twice about just sending in a longer essay. if its good enough, they wont mind</p>
<p>I think I might agree with you, link336. By the way, what do you mean by "substantially"? 150, 200, more? I'm just curious.</p>
<p>as in like 400 over --- im going to cut it down some, but i dont see it getting less than 750 words total</p>
<p>Mine was 700 words until I erased an entire paragraph I wanted to keep but could do without, and now its 608 words. It's hard to write a good essay about a personal experience within the 500 word-limit. Its either you have to pick something really simple or you have to resort to blatant "telling" instead of showing.</p>