Do both essays have to equal 1000 words exactly? Can it be less?
I believe that the minimum word limit for both essays are 250. You don’t have to exactly write 1000 words, but it’s better to write as much as you can 
So it would be okay to have around 950 words? ._.
yes
Don’t pad just to have more words. Make what you write meaningful. Anyone who reads these things for a living can tell when you’re just rambling on for no purpose.