Will the Common App essay cut off after 500 words?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>hi guys, i've been trying to write my common app essay (ha. ha....) and it looks like the final might be a little long. do you know if the app will just cut my essay at 500 words, even if it's only around 505-515 when finished?</p>

<p>if the essay will be cut, i'll obviously try to edit it, but i think those last couple words are pretty important and i really can't find any way to further shorten the stupid thing. even if it doesn't cut, will colleges be annoyed if my essay is a little over the limit?
thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>If you are talking about the main personal essay, there is no word limit. The 2010-11 common application states “Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below, and attach it to your application before submission.”</p>

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<p>problem is, the 2011-12 common app imposed a limit of 500 words. [Common</a> Application sets 500-word limit on main essay - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/common-application-sets-500-word-limit-on-main-essay/2011/06/02/AGZg7WHH_blog.html]Common”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/common-application-sets-500-word-limit-on-main-essay/2011/06/02/AGZg7WHH_blog.html)</p>

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<p>they don’t cut it. i am fairly certain they don’t. however you should ensure that those excess words contribute something of substance because unnecessary info/words will simply indicate poor writing skills</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1156079-common-application-essay-length-500-words-not-strict-cut-off.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1156079-common-application-essay-length-500-words-not-strict-cut-off.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This thread will give you the answer.</p>

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<p>thanks, lalachica and milkweed! i’m going to try to get it down to 500, but i suppose i won’t worry too much about being a word or two over.</p>

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<p>Eh…that’s unfortunate for you guys…mine was almost 1,250 words last year =p.</p>

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<p>diana2012: It’s not so much worrying about the admissions officers noticing you went over at around 520 words or something, but it’s more about keeping it close to a 500 max. They would probably not bat an eye if your essay is 510 words, but they will notice a longer essay of 700 words or so. So just try to keep it close to a 500 word max.</p>

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<p>redseven: i know! ideally, the limit would be ~1,000, and i think less than 750 seems somewhat unfair. oh well… :/</p>

<p>apoc: thanks! that was basically what i was thinking. damn, cutting this down is proving to be harder than i thought… :(</p>