<p>Do the admission board really really care about the essay being over 500 words. I have a 600 word essay right now and I been trying to cut it down to 500 words but it just seem to lose its focus. So it is alright if i send them the essay as 600 words?</p>
<p>It's fine. I doubt they'd even notice. Even if they did, as long as the extra words add substance to your essay, they wouldn't mind.</p>
<p>being concise is one of the traits they're looking for. try cutting it to 550.</p>
<p>They want conciseness (is that a word?), but don't be concise at the expense of crucial detail or content.</p>
<p>be concise. I was over a 100 words on the essay and I got deferred.
of course, that could also be because the essay was very bad...</p>
<p>lolll sucharita...</p>
<p>i'm waiting for RD, but my supplemental essay was way over 500. I think it was closer to 800, or probably more even. But i feel that my essay necessitated it.</p>
<p>It's perfectly fine. Listen: while being concise is nice, it's not the most important thing. An essay is all about quality and flow. Sometimes, cutting and hacking down your essay is not a good idea. Since I've written about this many times, I'll refer you to these posts from this thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...ead.php?t=19986%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...ead.php?t=19986</a></p>
<p>
<p>Write a good essay, it doesn't matter how long (within reason--don't write a 2000 word essay for a 500 word essay limit (unless its super awesome, actually)). A 500-word stripped-down essay will not help you if it was not good to begin with. A 700 word essay will not help you if it is not good. A 500 word or a 700 word essay will help you if it is quite good.</p>
<p>Eh, I think I'm rambling now.</p>
<p>Anyways, I got into Yale and both of my essays were over the limit (~820 for one, ~600 for the other).</p>
<p>I say that if your essay is good, and the extra words are warranted, leave it be.</p>
<p>But then again, if you are applying online and they physically won't let you send it over the limit, ya you're screwed then. Cut it down .
</p>
<p>thanks, newt. those are really good points. and thanks for conveniently reposting them.</p>
<p>i think the essays are mainly just to demonstrate that
a) you can write, and reasonably well
b) you are unique and can show it
so word limit isn't quite as important.</p>
<p>yes, thank u veeery much</p>
<p>no prob. best wishes, dalaboy.</p>