USC essay word length

<p>I know they say 500-700 words...Mine is 767 words. I don't know how to shorten it any more than I have (already shortened it from 840). Is it okay at 767 or should I do some major cut somewhere?</p>

<p>I would like to know the answers as I’m in a similar situation</p>

<p>500-750 is typical. Think of how many essays they have to read and you’ll know why concise and to the point is more powerful then a long essay they might end up skimming unintentionally.</p>

<p>but what if your essay is truly better longer? i think if i cut mine anymore, it’d lose most of what makes it good. :(</p>

<p>^Most students would say the same thing except you can always cut down some words if you look at your essay carefully. I know mine did cut from 800 words down to 500+.</p>

<p>you mean maybe i should try to delete individual words rather than entire paragraphs? is that how you did it?</p>

<p>There are many ways, my daughter did reword some sentences to make it shorter. CC had a thread on it but I can’t find it.</p>

<p>I hope this link will help you.
[Essay</a> Writing Tips: Eliminate Wordiness](<a href=“http://www.brighthub.com/education/homework-tips/articles/33496.aspx]Essay”>http://www.brighthub.com/education/homework-tips/articles/33496.aspx)</p>

<p>thanks, columbia_student! i’ve gotten it down to 745 and am still shortening. :D</p>

<p>btw did you go to columbia or usc or both? i always see you around the usc forums. :P</p>

<p>ok i added something i NEEDED to add and now its 749. is this ok??</p>

<p>nevermind. got it down to 728. hopefully that it is fine! if anyone can confirm for sure if 728 is fine before i submit, i’d really appreciate it. cuz they said “typically one page length” but mine is almost two pages length. :-/ help?</p>