Is it bad to go over the word limit for a college essay?

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay. You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely.

Is it OK to go over the word limit for college essays?

We recommend your essays stay within 20-30 words of the limit if you're over in draft form, but it's fine to play with the extra space while drafting. Paying strict attention to your word count while writing can limit your creativity, but you should be tangentially aware of it.

Can you exceed the word limit on university essay?

The answer to this will be no. It is advised not to go over the maximum word count. If there is no preferred word count, then as per the college application form platform, Common App, it is safe to submit an essay that is under 650 words. Admission Officers look for well-written essays that follow directions.

Is it okay if my college essay is over 650 words?

For the Common App, try to stay within 550-650 words, even though the given range is 250-650. Any submission shorter than 500 words will make it look as though you simply didn't care enough to give your best effort.

Is it bad to use big words in college essay?

Reasons why using big words can worsen your essay: 1. Obstructs clarity of ideas. Readability is the ease with which a written text can be understood by the reader.

Common App Essay Word Limit (BEST WORD COUNT FOR COLLEGE ESSAY)

Is 1,000 words too much for college essay?

Yes, 1000 words is typically too long for a college essay. There is the main 650 word common application essay that is usually the longest essay required for college applications. This year, Princeton is requiring students to submit a writing sample as part of requirements for admission, so that may longer.

Is it okay if my college essay is 400 words?

If your institution doesn't provide a specific word count, it's best to keep your essay between the length established by the longer college admissions essay format: 250 to 650 words. Word count is just one factor to consider as you craft your college admissions essay.

Is 700 words good for a college essay?

Many schools set a word count or page limit for college essays and personal statements. If the program that you're applying to doesn't have a limit, you'll want your essay to be around 500-700 words. Either way, you should keep your essay concise, while at the same time fully explaining your main points.

Is 700 words too much for a college essay?

Having said that, a good thumb of rule is to restrict your essay to a 500-700 word limit. In other words, yes, a college essay can be 700 words long only when a word count is not specified.

Is 800 words good for a college essay?

If you don't write the Common App essay, or if you write additional essays, note that most college essays set word limits around 500-750 words. In the rare case that no word limit is specified, most experts recommend staying under 800 words.

Do you get Penalised for going over the word count?

Any violation of this word limit will be penalised – in cases where there is excessive violation (e.g. more than 20% deviation) then the work may be failed and a resubmission required. All word-limits are inclusive of quotations, but not the bibliography or footnotes.

How strict are word limits in college?

Your essays may also get rejected because of not writing within the word limit given to you. Every university has its own rules and therefore you must check whether they are that much strict with the word limit or not. If there is no such strict guideline, you can extend or decrease the word limit by 10%.

What happens if you go over the word limit on Common App essay?

For example, the Common App won't allow you to go over 650 word limit for its main essay. Not even one word over. If your word count is several words over the limit, changing “It is” and “I would” to “It's” and “I'd” could help a bit. If your essay is 750 words, you will need to rewrite it.

What is too much for a college essay?

Pay Attention to Form

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

Do professors actually check word count?

Professors do count words for the essay. But, they don't do it manually. Instead, they use a free word counter that does all the work for them. Besides, most of the professors usually allow exceeding the number of words by 10%.

What happens if you go over the word limit on university application?

You need to follow directions, but as long as the college's online application doesn't cut you off, it's fine to go over the word limit by 10-20 words in a short essay, and maybe by a few sentences in a long essay. Colleges have better things to do than to check the word counts of your essays for minor infractions.

Is 750 words too long for a college essay?

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words.

Is 750 words too much for a college essay?

Even if you aren't filling out the Common App, most college essays set word limits around 500-750 words. In the rare case there is no established word limit, most experts recommend not exceeding 900 words for a college essay.

Is a 750 word essay a lot?

Documents that typically contain 750 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles. You may write faster or slower than this depending on your average writing speed.

Is 700 words too much for a personal statement?

Set aside enough time: Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.

Is 700 words too long for a personal statement?

A typical length for a personal statement is between 500 and 700 words. But be sure to adhere to the word or character limit that the school you're applying to requires.

Is a 650 word essay a lot?

College applicants should use the real estate offered in college essays to make their case — all of it! If the maximum word count for a college admissions essay is 650 words, applicants should not write 500 words. They should write 650 words — or pretty close to it.

How do I reduce word count?

Is a 300 word college essay good?

For an essay with a maximum word count of 300 words, a good range to aim for is around 250-300 words. This range allows you to provide a concise and coherent response while staying within the specified limit. However, it's important to prioritize clarity, relevance, and completeness over word count.

Is 900 words a lot?

900 words is 1.8 pages single-spaced or 3.6 pages double-spaced. Documents that typically contain 900 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles. It will take approximately 3 minutes to read 900 words.