<p>The college I want to apply to recommends 500-650 words for the personal statement. Is it okay to go over, and by how much?</p>
<p>If the college sets a word limit (e.g. max=650 words), follow it. They just have a recommendation, so it's okay to go over, but you get the idea that they want it to be short. No more than 1,000, but your essay will be much more effective in 500.</p>