<p>I don't see a maximum word limit anywhere so does that mean it can be as big as we want it to be?</p>
<p>Because right now I see my essay topping 1000 words.</p>
<p>Theoretically, yes, but it's generally understood that you should keep it as close as yo can to 500 words. The Princeton website tells for example "in addition to the 500-word essay written for the common application", so they still suppose it's about 500 words. Mine is around 560 words. Try to cut it down to at least 650 words, if you can't even more.</p>