What is ideal to maximize your essay length to the limit?

Applying to College
1

<p>For USC essay, it suggested that the ideal length of the essay should be between 500 and 700 words.</p>

<p>In this case, do you suggest the writer to write as long as he/she can within the max. word limit (700) or stick to the min. word limit (500)?</p>

<p>Some people say shorter the better because Adcoms dont even read the essay to the end, and they HATE reading essays, so it's the best to write shorter.</p>

<p>Some people oppose this and say to maximize the essay because it is the only chance to fully express myself, and it's ideal to use all the opportunity i have.</p>

<p>what do you suggest?
Shorter or Longer?</p>

2

<p>Write naturally and then once you complete the first draft, check the word count (then and only then). If it's too long, cut off superfluous details or anything which disrupts the flow of the essay. If it's too short, look for places to elaborate. When I wrote the essay last year for USC, I think it was like 600 words because that's how the essay turned out.
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