<p>I cut it down and this is the shortest I could get it. I felt that if I took out anymore I would remove myself from my work-I believe in quality over quantity, and it just so happened that my essay was 180 words over the maximum. My friend says that my length isn't too too bad (her's was 600 and she got into college), but several people on here have said conflicting things. Some say that the 500 is a guideline and that as long as it is less than 2 pages they'll read it, while others say they will stop reading and will dislike my essay before they've even read it. I put my heart into my essay and everyone who read it says it is fantastic and shows colleges who I am, including my friend at a competitive school. Will I not get into college just because of my essay? :/</p>
<p>There has to be 100 threads on this forum about essay length. You will get a range of answers from death if you go over 500 to not a problem as long as it is a under 2 pages double space or 1 single spaced.</p>
<p>Last year my son’s essay was over 500, he got in to most of the schools he applied. I don’t think a too long of essay will be a deal killer. Until the common app is able to actually cut off essays over 500 words then it is up to you to write an essay as close to the limit as you can.</p>
<p>Thank you! :)</p>
<p>It depends with the schools you are applying. U can be fine with Northwestern or UChicago but Dartmouth will shave you for it.</p>