<p>Hmmm… What does Yale itself say?</p>
<p>[Applying</a> to Yale College | Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/admit/faq/applying.html#14]Applying”>http://www.yale.edu/admit/faq/applying.html#14)</p>
<p>"We ask that you respect the word limit we suggest. Will we read the words beyond 500? Yes. But if your essay is much longer than 500 words, understand that you will not help yourself by seeming to have ignored our request. "</p>
<p>Your + 90% over the limit is what their stipulations are hoping to prevent, I’m sure.</p>