<p>On the Short Answer Expand on an Activity Section:</p>
<p>It says less than 150 words. How strict is the word limit? Somebody told me that people regularly submit around 400 word essays. Is this ok?</p>
<p>In my opinion, no it is not okay. There is no word limit to the main application essay for the common app but the activity specifically states 150 words (165 or so is probably okay). I think a concise, compelling essay would help your case for admissions while a 400 word essay probably would not add that much and may even significantly decrease your chances because of your blatant disregard of the directions. Mine was 155 words, and I got into Yale early...</p>
<p>I was very careful to stay under the word limit and my essay is like 135-140 words. is that too short? i think i said what i had to say meaningfully anf concisely.</p>
<p>I don't think there's anything wrong with being succinct! At least, mine was 150 words exactly and every word was necessary. I think it's important to respect word limits on the ones actually submitted in form online.</p>
<p>I would say 200 is max.</p>
<p>That's what I thought.
Strange how my counselor told me people regularly go over the limit and said that I could use my UC Prompt #1 (A 400 word essay) for it.
Guess I'll go chop it down to the bones.</p>
<p>My English teacher used to be a reader for Stanford. </p>
<p>She said you should never go more than 50 words over any prompt.</p>
<p>That being said, unless your excessive length is clearly apparent, I doubt your exact words will make much of a difference. Admissions officers don't have the time to count your word-length.</p>
<p>I go for 10% over or 10% under. I.e. if the limit is 150, I go for a max of 175 words. But 400 is really overdoing it and unless you ahve a good reason...</p>
<p>400 is definitely pushing it. But I don't think 200 will matter. </p>
<p>My two cents is that you shouldn't be a word over 200 just to be safe.</p>
<p>Maximaro,
isnt 10% more of 150, 165 words not 175?
or am i not thinking clearly with all the apps...</p>
<p>i already submitted one that was like 300. am i screwed?</p>
<p>I think it's really inadvisable. A 150-word essay does something very different than a 300-word essay. They don't want to know everything about your activity--if they did the essay would be longer. Shorten it. It's not difficult to cut from 400 to 175 words.</p>
<p>i can do that for other colleges, but i already submitted yale? are my chances gone?</p>
<p>I really doubt it! Something like this won't make or break an application and I'm sure yours had other perks. I'd just try to avoid it if you can.</p>
<p>lol your chances are never gone based on just one issue. i wouldn't worry about it.</p>
<p>I would also say 200 max. I don't think one's chances are out the door if you did more though.</p>
<p>I had this same question. Mine is way under the character limit, but it's like 260 words. I guess that's too many. I hate cutting things down...it's so hard to throw stuff away. I guess I have a bunch of small words.</p>