<p>On the supplement for cornell, the word limit is 500. How strict are they about the word limit?</p>
<p>I think if you are in the general ballpark, it shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't go more than 50-100 words over however. It should basically be a one page essay. If it's too long, they probably won't read it and they'll wonder why they should admit someone who can't follow directions.</p>
<p>500 is 500.</p>
<p>The general rule is 1 page single spaced or 2 pages double spaced - or maybe they'll just count. It wouldn't be the first time a college has counted and ignored everything past word number 500. Fortunately, the directions are pretty clear on the application...</p>
<p>don't take the risk. although i personally had over 550 on my supplement (class of 2011), i do not recommend anyone else doing so.</p>
<p>The thing about word limits is, you know the admissions officers are reading hundreds upon thousands of essays, and they propose a word limit so that the time spent reviewing one's application is kept short. If your essay or supplement is 50 words over what it's supposed to be, don't freak out. If your essay or supplement is even 150 words over what it's supposed to be - STILL, don't freak out! If you cannot for a fact trim anything down you MUST make sure that everything you are writing is interesting and flows well and will without a doubt capture the reader's attention...then the word limit won't count as much. On my common app essay I had like 950 words, and my supplement was 750!! And I was accepted early decision to the Hotel School without any frills or anything. So just make sure if you're going to go over the word limit, your essays absolutely CAN NOT be trimmed anymore and they must must MUST be interesting....I'm not recommending you do this, but if you're stressing about word limits, please don't worry!</p>
<p>my essays were both around 650, I was accepted</p>