Urgent questions

<p>This is kind of a silly question, but it says that the essay must be 200-500 words. Should I significantly cut down my essay if it has 600 words?</p>

<p>Also, for ED, are my first quarter grades required? I'm not doing as well as I want to right now, and i'm afraid that if I send them, the admissions officers will look down upon me. (I have 3 A's and 3 B's.)</p>