<p>For the optional essay, is the word limit strict? I went 20 words over the limit, but the Common App site only counts characters for that question. Should I try to eliminate words, or should I leave it the way it is?</p>
<p>I highly doubt they’ll notice 20 words, but I do think if they give a word limit, it is much better to stick to it. Cutting may seem tricky, but it’s always a fantastic idea. Being concise is impressive. Just ask yourself, “Is this word/phrase/sentence necessary? Does it add to someone’s understanding of me?”</p>