Is it bad to have a 650 word Common App essay?

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. And former Tufts University admissions officer Becky Leichtling concurs.

Should my Common App essay be exactly 650 words?

For the Common App, try to stay within 550-650 words, even though the given range is 250-650.

Is 650 words a lot for an essay?

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. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all! Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

Is 600 words okay for college essay?

In those cases, you'll probably want to be pretty close to word count limit, without going over (as a general guideline, the lower the word count, the more likely you'll have to max it out). If a school doesn't give you a limit, I'd generally aim for somewhere in the 400-600 range.

Is it ok to go over the word count for 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.

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Is there a 650 word limit on the Common App?

The Common App essay word limit is 650 words maximum. However, according to the official Common App essay requirements, the lower stay Common App essay word limit is 250 words. As you brainstorm topics for Common App essays, make sure that the story you want to tell fits into the Common App essay word limit.

Can you go over 650 words on Common App?

It's not okay to exceed the 650 word limit on the common application essay, but your essay can be less than 650 words.

How big is a 650 word essay?

A 650-word essay is approximately a page and a half to two pages long when using a standard 12-point font and standard spacing between lines. To visualize what 650 words look like, think about a typical two-page, double-spaced essay with an introduction, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

What if my college essay is over 650 words?

Few if any schools will let you go over the word count on any essay if the application is submitted via computer. You know the software will you off. If you are submitting a paper application and the school asks you for 650 words and the essay is 655 do not worry. But if the essay runs 700 words then its time to edit.

Is 350 words too short for college essay?

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper 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.

Is my Common App essay too long?

The Common App main essay space will NOT let you go over 650 limit. The extra words will be cut off. You have to get it to 650 or less, that's it.

Why is the Common App essay so short?

At the end of the day, admissions officers read your essays because they want to fly the friendly skies with you into your world. 500 to 600 words allows you to give them a proper flying experience and gives you the words necessary to differentiate your world from the world of other applicants.

How long should a 650 word essay take?

Writing 650 words will take about 16.3 minutes for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 32.5 minutes for handwriting. However, if the content needs to include in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics such as for a blog article or high school essay, the length can grow to 2.2 hours.

How do you know if your Common App essay is good?

Should I bold my Common App essay?

The font should be standardized once you paste your work in. In case it isn't, use a 12 pt., single space, simple font like Times New Roman or Calibri. Avoid all caps, bold, underline, and italics because they can look more conversational than professional.

What does 650 words look like?

A 650 word count will create about 1.3 pages single-spaced or 2.6 pages double-spaced when using normal margins (1″) and 12 pt. Arial or Times New Roman font.

Is it okay to go slightly over word limit for college essay?

Unless specified, never go over the word limit for a college application essay.

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

Being over the word limit on your college essay is a great problem to have. All writing requires revision, and almost all revision entails condensing. Your aim in cutting down an admission essay is to say as much as possible with as few words as possible.

Can you go over the word count on Common App?

Though the Common Application instructs students not to submit essays that are longer than 500 words, the online tool does not limit them from doing so. “If a student uploaded a 500,000-word essay, there's nothing we could do,” Rob Killion, executive director of Common Application told the New York Times.

Is 500 words too short for Common App essay?

The Common App essay requires you write between 250 and 650 words. Hitting the maximum is great, but make sure not to settle at the minimum. For all college admission essays, it's best to come as close to the maximum as you can, as long as you're not filling space with meaningless sentences.

How many words should the Common App essay be 2023?

The Common App essay word limit remains at 650 words. There is also a minimum floor of 250 words.

How many paragraphs should a 650 word essay have?

The length and structure of paragraphs can vary depending on the content and flow of your essay. However, a general guideline is to have around 4-6 paragraphs in a 650-word essay. This allows for an introduction, body paragraphs (usually 2-4), and a conclusion.

Does Common App limit you to 20 schools?

Common App member colleges have stipulated that applicants may add up to 20 colleges. The college list cannot be expanded for any applicant. Once you submit an application, that college can no longer be removed from your list of colleges.

Should your Common App essay relate to your major?

A: Depends. If your application is for graduate school where you generally already have a field of study chosen, or for direct admission into an undergrad college like X University's College of Education, you should definitely tie your main application essay into your future major or focus area.

When should I finish my Common App essay?

For most students, the best approach is to write college essays during the summer after junior year and to finish essay writing before the beginning of your senior year. This way, college essays are off your plate and you can focus on submitting your applications and on your senior-year classes and activities.