Should my Common App essay be exactly 650 words?

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.

Is it bad if my Common App essay is 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 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.

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.

Your College Essay Didn't Get You Accepted, You're Just Rich

Is it OK for a college essay to be short?

Beyond that, any essay of about 500 words (400–600) should be fine — unless the accepting agent sets a fixed limit of 500, which is the sort of instruction that no competent editor or writer would ever think appropriate.

How many words should the Common App essay be 2023?

The Common App essay word limit is 650 words. Since students submit their Common App essays to every school, they should be as strong as possible.

Is it OK if my Common App essay is 600 words?

The Common App essay is limited to 250 - 650 words, which roughly translates to a maximum of one single-spaced page of text. You must stay in this word range. In fact, the online portal for essay submission will not let you proceed if you don't. In general, we advise writing an essay between 500 and 600 words.

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.

What does 650 words look like?

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.

Can you go over 650 words on Common App?

I've interviewed numerous College Admissions Reps on how to write a strong admissions essay and many have mentioned the importance of adhering to the word limit. It's not okay to exceed the 650 word limit on the common application essay, but your essay can be less than 650 words.

Is my Common App essay too long?

If your essay is extra long because you want admission officials to understand the atypical obstacles you've surmounted, and if you're convinced that you can't do this in 650 words, then consider disclosing these issues in the “Additional Information" section of your application or in a separate, unsolicited essay or ...

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.

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

If anyone else could put their name at the top of your essay and have it still make sense, it could probably still use some work. If your essay tells a story that is important to you and 100% reflects who you are and no one else, then you're probably well on your way to hitting the “submit” button.

Do colleges read your Common App essay?

Yes, admissions officers do actually read essays, but they might have already screened candidates first in a preliminary round. Every admissions office has a different process and it's impossible to sum up the exact step-by-step process for each admission office in one blog post.

How much do colleges care about Common App essay?

At the top 250 schools, your essays generally account for 25% of your overall application. This is only slightly behind the 30% for extracurriculars. Essays are actually ahead of the 20% for grades and coursework, 15% for test scores, and 10% for recommendations and interviews.

What is the shortest a Common App essay should be?

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.

Should my Common App essay be 5 paragraphs?

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay. College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count.

How not to start a Common App essay?

How long is the Common App essay 2023?

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

How long does it take to write a 650 word essay?

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 should Common App essays be formatted?

Which Common App prompt is the most popular?

Common App Essays Prompts – Breakdown: Prompt 7

This is the most popular Common App essay prompt, with 24.1% of students choosing it on the 2021-2022 Common App. This question is probably the most popular because it allows you to use an essay you've already written — meaning you have to do less work.

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.

Does your Common App essay have to be about your major?

The Common App Essay prompts are diverse enough that they allow you to write about pretty much anything. Therefore, we encourage you to brainstorm your best stories first and then think about which question to answer. Admissions committees have no preference for which prompt you choose.