No, your college essay should not exceed 650 words.
Response to the query in detail
While it may be tempting to go over the recommended 650-word limit for your college essay, it’s important to stick to the guidelines. Admissions officers have a lot of essays to review and exceeding the word limit can give them the impression that you have not followed instructions.
As the Common Application website states, “The Common Application essay must be completed by most first-year applicants and coincide with one of the essay prompts. Maximum length: 650 words.” This means that you should aim to keep your essay within this limit to ensure that it is considered in the admissions process.
In the words of Mark Twain, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” It takes effort and skill to condense your thoughts and experiences into a concise essay that captures the attention of the reader. However, this is a valuable exercise that will serve you well in college and beyond.
Here are a few interesting facts about college essays:
- According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the most important factors in admissions decisions are grades, strength of curriculum, and admission test scores.
- However, essays can still make a difference in the admissions process. In a survey of college admissions officers conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, essays were ranked as the second most important factor after grades.
- The essay prompts on the Common Application are designed to be broad and allow you to showcase your unique perspective. This means that you can choose a topic that is meaningful to you and write about it in your own voice.
In summary, it’s best to stick to the recommended 650-word limit for your college essay. Remember that a well-written and concise essay can make a strong impression on admissions officers. As writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
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See a video about the subject.
The video emphasizes that a college essay shouldn’t exceed 650 words, as admissions officers have to read many essays, and a long essay may not capture their attention. It’s important to be concise, stick to the guidelines, and make every word count. The essay should reflect your personality, experiences, and goals to be impressive.
There are alternative points of view
Use Your Space Wisely The Common App essay word count range is 250-650 words. But just how long should your statement be? Admissions Blog advises aiming for around 500 words.
Your essay needs to be between 250 and 650 words long. You can’t go over the limit—the online form will cut you off at 650 words. The length includes the title, notes, and any other text you include in the online form. Use your 650 words to tell a focused story and help the admissions folks get to know you.
Your essay must not be longer than 650 words, but it can be shorter. Anything over 500 words is fine, as long as your essay is thoughtful and complete.
Your Common Application essay must be between 250 words and 650 words. Don’t assume shorter is better. A college requires an essay because they want to learn more about you. Never go over the limit. Show that you can follow instructions and that you know how to edit.
The word limit is non-negotiable. You will not be able to submit an essay that’s even one word over the limit.
If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words. You should aim to stay under the specified limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely.