<p>The supplement has been released! However, the allotted space for the essays is a LOT. In the heading, it says they should be about 200 words, but when I coped and pasted stuff that was about 200 words, it said I had 2000 extra characters. So my question is: Should I fill up the space that the commonapp gives me, or should I stick to the 200 words? I'm leaning on going with the latter, but I just want to make sure.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>If they specify 200 words, listen to them...</p>
<p>I wouldn't suggest "filling up the space." If you have something very important to say that would add to your application but that you couldn't include in the 200 words, then by all means, write more.</p>
<p>Otherwise, stick with 200 words. I'm guessing the 2000 extra characters are for people who like to use big words.</p>
<p>If they give you an approximate word limit, there's no reason to write anything longer unless you have more to say. The reason there's 2000 more characters is probably for those who can't get their essay under the 200 words as it isn't a strict limit.</p>
<p>II. REQUIRED SHORT ESSAYS (200 words)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raisedyour family, home, neighborhood or communityand how it influenced the person you are today.</p></li>
<li><p>Self-identity and personal expression take many forms. Use the richness of your life to give us insight: Who are you?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Are both of these required?</p>
<p>Thank you all. I wasn't planning on filling up the space just to fill it up, but I wanted to make sure.</p>
<p>Skyseifera, yeah, I think they're required.</p>
<p>skyseifera - Yes, they are both required.</p>
<p>alfredeneuman - were did you see the supplement released? All I find on their site is supplement "coming soon" and then a link to the essay topics.</p>
<p>Check back on the commonapp!</p>