<p>I wrote my drafts for the supplement essay, and I'm in the process of making my final editing.
I was wondering if 500 words is the maximum? I have about 580 words, but it's still a page, (font 10, 1.5 spaced).
How many words do you guys have?</p>
<p>Try to condense it as much as you can. They will read past the limit, but you should respect their instructions.</p>
<p>I have 800 words. But the essay is not fluff and every sentence adds to my passion and desire to attend Penn. Is it fine to cross the recommended word limit by so much? Should I keep my essay intact to maintain its coherence? or should i reduce its size?
Please help.</p>
<p>My supplement is also 580 words, I think that is acceptable, 800, though, that is definitely pushing it.</p>
<p>Sorry for a slight thread hijack, but I had a question of my own. </p>
<p>In the essay should we focus on specific things we want to do and elaborate on why and how, or do more of a list approach, going over more activities but not as much depth. Right now just described what I want to do academically and then one extracurricular.</p>
<p>Oh God ive got a huge dilemma at my hands now.
I can compromise on the opening and make it 650ish but not lower than that.</p>
<p>Thewikiman- I think your approach is fine, just be sure to also mention reasons for why you want to attend Penn. eg Alumni, Research etc.</p>
<p>650, is probably not too bad, as long as it is actually worth reading, like not you just saying I want to do this, I want to do that, I want to also do this and that. and 650 vs 800 is a significant improvement</p>
<p>Yeah I talk a lot about the Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs, which is unique to Penn, I think that shows my actual interest in Penn.</p>
<p>Exactly it takes at least 150 words to open and state your preferred major.
Another 200 for Why Penn
150 for ECs
100 for research
75 to conclude
thats 675 as the bare minimum.
I plan to apply to M&T so I have two schools to describe and Wharton alone cane take 300 ish words.
Penn should have been more open about this.</p>
<p>keep in mind you don’t HAVE to write about academics, extracurriculars, and research. Just two out of three or even one out of three if you have something really interesting to say. </p>
<p>What do you mean by 200 words for Why Penn? I don’t think it is necessary to write all about your love of the campus and stuff, probably just stick to the prompt.</p>
<p>Is the general consensus that we have to state our preferred major in the essay?</p>
<p>No again, from what I understand, as long as you talk about ECs, Academics, and/or researhc, your fine. You could write an essay about student government, and researching the sexual preferences of chimps, but relate it to Penn.</p>
<p>My college counsellor said 650 is a definite no go. I managed to cut mine from 650 to 540</p>