Wellesley 100 Word Limit

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

Hi! I just have a question on the word limit of the Wellesley supplement, the Wellesey 100 essay.

There is no word limit requirement in the main prompt. But on the right side of the common app for Wellesley supplement, there is a box and there is a “no more than 400 words” requirement.

When I visited Wellesley’s website (https://www.wellesley.edu/admission/esp/firstyear/essays), there is no word limit requirement in the main prompt again. However, there is a line that says “The essay doesn’t need to be a tome. In about 500 words, you should be able to express who you are or what is important to you” under “More writing tips.”
My essay is around 700 words now. Should I cut it down? If so, which guideline should I follow?

Thank you all!

2

Effective editing is a life skill. So yes. Please be considerate of the AOs who have to read thousands of these. Trust me, you can pare down from 700 words and get your point across effectively.

Unless the Common App cuts you off after 400 words, I’d follow what the Wellesley website says, although anyone with better Wellesley-specific info can chime in.

3

Thank you!

4

Almost all writing can benefit from being pared down. Fewer words makes for a punchier, more interesting essay.

5

Stick to the guidelines. Your essay is now 40% longer than the instructions. Part of what the college is looking for is the ability of applicants to: 1) follow directions and; 2) say something meaningful within a constrained space. I would not go more than a few words (10 or so) over. Keep in mind that admissions officers are swamped and will not be thrilled to see longer essays. Edit it down.

6

@skieurope’s advice is spot on.

7

The sidebar on the Common App says the word limit is 400, so I’d just stick with that.

8

Thanks again for all the advice. For future references, my essay ended up around 630 words; it worked and I was accepted into Wellesley.

9

Congratulations!