<p>There's 2 questions for Rochester's supplement on the Common App, and it says at the very top "In 125 words or less, answer the following questions." Does that mean 125 words for both questions, or 125 words for each question?</p>
<p>I’d go with each.</p>
<p>BUMPPP. I want to know for sure. come on guys, 89 views and only 1 response…? T_T</p>
<p>The answer is that you answer each question in 125 words or less.</p>
<p>Yes, 125 words per question. Though it may not be the answer you are looking for, we don’t pay too much attention to length. The content of your answers is far more important. You can interpret 125 words to mean ‘don’t write a full essay’. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>It is difficult to convince kids that you guys in Admissions actually read the essays and that UR is actually looking for kids who fit the school. They worry so much about little things and can miss the bigger picture that people actually look at what they write, that this is an opportunity to say something.</p>
<p>I know… Unfortunately I think that is a problem that we in the world of Admissions have perpetuated over the years, which is why it may be difficult to reverse course and start recommending that students think independently. For so long students were asked to be “well-rounded” and to “fall in line” to prove their academic potential. At Rochester, and likely many other schools, we have for a while now sought students that are willing to think indepently and pursue the things that they care most about, regardless of whether or not that makes them “well-rounded”. If only students would abandon their perception of what my expectations are!</p>
<p>Ah okay thank you!! That answers my question then… Hmm so how do you compare the Common App essay to the supplement? Do you read the Common App essay and then the supplement last? Would you say that both are equally important?</p>
<p>Both are important to our review process, and the order in which they are read will differ among counselors. I prefer to read the Common Application Essay first, though I know some of my colleagues read the Supplement first.</p>
<p>The difference between the two, as I see them, is that the Common Application is a personal essay… The topic is chosen by you, and it is your opportunity to provide me with information about you that is unique and that may distinguish you from the rest of our applicant pool… and the Supplement questions assess your familiarity with and/or understanding of the institution to which you are applying. A student that is able to articulate exactly what our flexible curriculum and research opportunities mean to him/her in the pursuit of his/her interests (as opposed to copying generic statements from our publications) will be a stronger candidate for admission.</p>