<p>In the Common App, there is no personal statement restrictions as your word doc is just uploaded. Well, my personal statement seems pretty extensive as it is because it's a "slow-starter" (for lack of a better term). It won't top 1000 words, but if I go with what I'm doing, it's going to top 500, 600, maybe 700, and possibly 700. Should I shorten it and get to the point faster, or should I just go with this? </p>
<p>I would love to have people read this, since essay length is a case-by-case basis, but I'm not completely done since I tried shortening it so I'm re-writing quite a bit. But, generally, what should an applicant do? It is not a rant, and it's not repetitive, but the build-up is slow. </p>
<p>Okay, so, what I really don't want to happen is that the admissions read it and get halfway and just toss it because it extends too far or whatever. Please give me an honest opinion and reasoning if you can, I highly appreciate it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot, what I'm writing on is my personal background. It goes like this: My early early childhood, my early childhood, I move out of the Bay Area after 1st grade and my lifestyle changes, and, finally, the results of that lifestyle change and what I became with the experiences of my childhood, my current lifestyle, etc. It all neatly ties up in the end, but I'm afraid readers won't reach it. Sorry for the long speech, I guess it mimics my actual statement in a way haha.</p>
<p>You should start medias reis. Slow build ups are are fairly boring and officers are reading hundreds of essays. Have to stand out. Medias reis also might solve the length issue.</p>
<p>Bump, I’d still like some input, if anyone has any, on this. I’m not sure about general essay lengths for personal statements. Thanks again for advice.</p>
<p>I would agree that you should do everything you can to reduce the slowness you describe in the beginning of your essay. Decide if everything you mention is important and relevant (are your “early early” and “early” childhood really essential to explain the impacts your later lifestyle changes?). If there’s anywhere you can cut down without detracting from your main point, you should cut down.</p>
<p>That said, my essay was quite long (we’ll see how Stanford feels about that for early action ). Most people around here would advise you not to stray too much from 600 words, but I don’t exactly agree with putting a number on it. The optimal length varies depending on how much interesting stuff you have to say. My essay was about 850 words and almost 3 pages long, but I made sure every sentence had a distinct purpose (and I ended the second page with a major cliff hanger so they’d go on haha).</p>
<p>Basically, you don’t want your essay to seem long to the reader. Consolidate as much as you can without losing quality, but don’t freak out too much about the actual word count (as long as it’s semi-reasonable).</p>
<p>An essay is too long when it drags on and has more substance than is necessary to convey its message. I’ve read 500 word essays that felt eternal and tedious, as well as 900 word essays that flowed beautifully and seemed perfectly fine. It really depends.</p>
<p>A slow start can be the kiss of death.
Adcoms will quickly evaluate you as a candidate- the essays are not meant to tell them who you are via a fully detailed story. Rather, they look for evidence of your maturity and judgment through your choice of topic, the way you develop it and the point you make, your actual writing skills and ability to self-edit. If it’s a nice tale, maybe sweet or even funny, those are bonuses.</p>
<p>Include only what is strictly relevant and delete what rambles or postures. Have fun, but aim for 500 words. Then, when you’ve cut the crap, you can determine if something crucial was missed and carefully add back in. Try it. You want the readers to put down the essay and say, yeah, this kid gets it. Good Luck.</p>
). Most people around here would advise you not to stray too much from 600 words, but I don’t exactly agree with putting a number on it. The optimal length varies depending on how much interesting stuff you have to say. My essay was about 850 words and almost 3 pages long, but I made sure every sentence had a distinct purpose (and I ended the second page with a major cliff hanger so they’d go on haha).</p>