<p>As long as it's not a thousand words, I think it's fine. You don't have to hit 500 exactly, just somewhere near there. And IMO, writing below the word limit is better than writing over the word limit - which is the precise problem I'm facing right now. Damn.</p>
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<p>_< But maaaan, that "why" answer... So hard to fit within 50 words! 50 words is like... 2 sentences for me! My writing style is to flow to my point, instead of cutting straight to the chase, so it's a bit difficult for me.</p>
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<p>Should be okay, mine is about 450 words. As for the 'how did you become interested in Yale' question, i haven't really done it but if i tell the truth, it will sound stupid to the adcom as I first made up my mind to apply after learning that my teacher's son got in. I'm an intel, and no one from my school has gone to world class universities. So his getting into Yale really did have a big impact on my decision to apply. What do you suggest i write then?</p>
<p>my 50-word one is how i went to a college night and a yale rep. explained to me that such a prestigious school wasn't out of my reach. Is that okay?</p>
<p>my additional optional essay is 909 words. Too long?</p>
<p>nimxnooj: If that were me, I'd definitely work on cutting down that essay. </p>
<p>About the fifty-word thing, I don't know if it's more of a marketing research tool or if your answer really matters. For me I'm just gonna be honest and say what I feel like saying, even if it means resorting to kiss-ass tendencies like, "Harold Bloom teaches there and he's really great and so I wanna go to Yale."</p>
<p>Off topic but I'm panicking a bit. What time is it in the US right now?</p>
<p>syneria (sorry if I spelled this wrong), I empathise. My stupid short answer was about three hundred words long. Cutting that down really sucked.</p>
<p>It's hm, 2:48 am right now here in California, 2:18 when you posted. That means it's 5:48 am on the East Coast right now (5:18 am when you posted).</p>
<p>:) Roughly about 19 hours left.</p>
<p>Thanks. :) I'm in Singapore and I'm really bad with time zone-related matters and so I had to check. Argh! Still working on essay. I am so dead. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>