<p>I began writing my personal statement and resume this summer so that I can have everything sorted before I apply to colleges this fall. I'm applying early action to Harvard, and it accepts both the Common App and the Universal App. I know that the common app word limit is 650 words, so I have been trying to keep my essay under that just to be safe, but I haven't been able to find anything about a word limit for the Universal App. Is there one? Right now my essay is 646 words, but I would like to add more vignettes to convey more of my personality. Also, does the Universal app have prompts like the Common app has? Or is a personal statement separate from those prompts anyway... I honestly am just pretty confused about this whole process!
One last question, for UC's, there is a max 1000 words for both essays, the general and Freshman. I know that 250 is the minimum word length, but would 350 be enough for my freshman statement? (Assuming I recycle my personal statement and then just write a Freshman statement)
Thanks for any help and advice. I REALLY appreciate it!</p>
<p>Yes 350 is enough for the ‘what accomplishment makes you most proud’ prompt. I helped someone last cycle and for her the first essay was the most important so that one had to be trimmed. We got it from the 600s to the 350 or so without losing much of anything. I actually think the shorter version was more impactful.</p>
<p>Not sure on your other questions.</p>