Word Limit Question

College Essays
1

<p>So I'm writing my William and Mary supplemental essay and I'm well over my "word limit." But do they specifiy a word limit in their question? Yall make the call:</p>

<p>"Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? Provide us with some limited measure of your personality. We know that nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of The Type of Person You Are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us or just make us laugh. Think of this optional opportunity as Show and Tell by proxy and with an attitude."</p>

<p>Now is that subtle mention about "500 words or less" a word limit or is it just intended to give me a ballpark estimate of what they're looking for? I've answered other college essays that say something along the lines of "500 words or less" so I'm wondering how this W & M one should be interpreted. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>if they said around 500 words, you could get away with about 650 words. If they said 500 words or less, i would recommend trying to edit it down to about 550. Of course if you can't, its better to be over the limit then do your essay injustice!</p>

3

<p>That's not true. 650 is far too much, you shouldn't exceed a word limit by more than 5-10%.</p>

<p>My impression is they say they're aware you probably can't fit yourself into under 500 words, but you should try, and they'll give you leeway for proiding at least a solid impression of yourself.</p>