How long should my college application essay be

How long should my college application essay be

The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in 2020-21,Breaking Down the College Essay

WebSep 29,  · Revised on August 17, 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 and words. You WebDec 14,  · How long should your essay be? The essay should be words, which might sound like a lot at first, but you will be surprised by how quickly you reach that limit WebAug 3,  · 1. Explore essay prompts and select a topic. 2. Start your college essay outline before jumping in. 3. Write the essay and leave time for multiple drafts. 4. Edit WebFeb 4,  · Make a plan before you start writing, divide your essay into three sections (the introduction, the body, and the conclusion), and decide on the most important points you WebSep 28,  · Many universities ask applicants to include a college application essay—usually a personal statement or similar essay—along with their application ... read more

Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points. Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like words, you need to write at least words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give. Don't let this sinister hand stop you from writing everything you have to say! Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:. Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit.

Typically, we anticipate a paper of pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed pages. So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting. Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar. Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :. Sometimes, while there's no word or even page limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this? See, for example, this Wellesley supplemental essay prompt :. Generations of inspiring women have thrived in the Wellesley community, and we want to know what aspects of this community inspire you to consider Wellesley. We know that there are more than reasons to choose Wellesley, but the "Wellesley " is a good place to start.

Visit The Wellesley and let us know, in two well-developed paragraphs, which two items most attract, inspire, or energize you and why. Not-so-secret tip: The "why" matters to us. There's no page or word limit here, but it does say to respond "in two well-developed paragraphs. That's what I mean by an "implicit" word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt. There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines. For example, the University of Chicago provides six "Extended Essay" prompts.

You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit. However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. For the extended essay where you choose one of several prompts , we suggest that you aim for around words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use! So there you go! If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office.

They may not be able to give you an exact number in fact, they probably won't , but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. And keep you from writing a panicked, page dissertation about your relationship with your dog. In general, words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced. The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it.

And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough. What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all! If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines. There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit. Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice. If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas. And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly! Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and essay examples with analysis! Want to improve your SAT score by points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score.

Download it for free now:. Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub. com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers. How to Get a Perfect , by a Perfect Scorer. Score on SAT Math. Score on SAT Reading. Score on SAT Writing. The version of the Common Application has an essay length limit of words and a minimum length of words. This limit has remained unchanged for the past several years.

Learn how important this word limit is and how to make the most of your words. Many wonder whether they can go over the limit, even if only by a few words. What if you feel that you need more space to communicate all of your ideas clearly? The holistic admissions processes of most schools prove that colleges really do want to get to know the person behind your test scores and grades. Since the essay is one of the best places for showcasing who you are, is it worth it to go over? Most experts recommend adhering to the limit. The Common Application will even prompt its applicants if they exceed the word count to prevent them from going over. Most admissions officers have stated that, while they will read all essays in their entirety, they are less inclined to feel that essays over accomplish what they set out to do.

In short: any of the prompts can and should be answered in words or fewer. If everything from to words is fair game, what length is best? Some counselors advise students to keep their essays on the shorter end, but not all colleges place the most value in succinctness. The personal essay is the most powerful tool at your disposal for showing readers your personality without meeting them. If you've chosen a focus that reveals something meaningful about you, you're probably going to need more than words to create a thoughtful, introspective, and effective essay. However, it isn't essential to hit the mark, either. Visually, you want to make sure the essay looks complete and robust. As a general rule, I would suggest the essay be between words.

Each of the Common App essay prompts creates different writing challenges, but no matter which option you choose, your essay should be detailed and analytical, and it should provide a window into some important dimension of your interests, values, or personality. Ask yourself: Will the admissions officers know me better after reading my essay? Chances are, an essay in the to word range will accomplish this task better than a shorter essay. In general, the length of an essay does not determine its effectiveness. If you have answered the prompt in its entirety and feel proud of your work, there is no need to stress about any particular word count.

Do not pad your essay with filler content and tautologies to stretch it out, and on the flip side, don't leave important sections out in the interest of keeping the essay brief. Some colleges will allow you to exceed the limit set by the Common Application, but you should avoid writing more than words in all cases for the following reasons:. College admissions officers will read essays that are too long but may consider them to be rambling, unfocused, or poorly-edited. Remember that your essay is one of many and your readers will wonder why yours is longer when it doesn't need to be.

The version of the Common Application has an essay length limit of words and a minimum length of words. This limit has remained unchanged for the past several years. Learn how important this word limit is and how to make the most of your words. Many wonder whether they can go over the limit, even if only by a few words. What if you feel that you need more space to communicate all of your ideas clearly? The holistic admissions processes of most schools prove that colleges really do want to get to know the person behind your test scores and grades. Since the essay is one of the best places for showcasing who you are, is it worth it to go over? Most experts recommend adhering to the limit. The Common Application will even prompt its applicants if they exceed the word count to prevent them from going over.

Most admissions officers have stated that, while they will read all essays in their entirety, they are less inclined to feel that essays over accomplish what they set out to do. In short: any of the prompts can and should be answered in words or fewer. If everything from to words is fair game, what length is best? Some counselors advise students to keep their essays on the shorter end, but not all colleges place the most value in succinctness. The personal essay is the most powerful tool at your disposal for showing readers your personality without meeting them. If you've chosen a focus that reveals something meaningful about you, you're probably going to need more than words to create a thoughtful, introspective, and effective essay. However, it isn't essential to hit the mark, either.

Visually, you want to make sure the essay looks complete and robust. As a general rule, I would suggest the essay be between words. Each of the Common App essay prompts creates different writing challenges, but no matter which option you choose, your essay should be detailed and analytical, and it should provide a window into some important dimension of your interests, values, or personality. Ask yourself: Will the admissions officers know me better after reading my essay? Chances are, an essay in the to word range will accomplish this task better than a shorter essay. In general, the length of an essay does not determine its effectiveness.

If you have answered the prompt in its entirety and feel proud of your work, there is no need to stress about any particular word count. Do not pad your essay with filler content and tautologies to stretch it out, and on the flip side, don't leave important sections out in the interest of keeping the essay brief. Some colleges will allow you to exceed the limit set by the Common Application, but you should avoid writing more than words in all cases for the following reasons:. College admissions officers will read essays that are too long but may consider them to be rambling, unfocused, or poorly-edited. Remember that your essay is one of many and your readers will wonder why yours is longer when it doesn't need to be.

Share Flipboard Email. By Allen Grove Allen Grove. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Learn about our Editorial Process. Key Takeaways: Common Application Essay Length Your Common Application essay must be between words and 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. From the Admissions Desk "There is no need to meet the full word count [] if the essay captures what the student would like to share. Cite this Article Format. Grove, Allen.

Ideal College Application Essay Length. copy citation. Featured Video. The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in How Long Should Your Common Application Short Answer Essay Be? The Common Application Essay Prompts. Private School Application Essay Tips. Common Application Essay on a Meaningful Place. Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude. Common Application Short Answer Tips. College Application Essay - The Job I Should Have Quit. Tips for Writing a Winning College Application Essay. Sample College Admissions Essay - Student Teacher. Topic of Your Choice: Common Application Essay Tips. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies.

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WebDec 14,  · How long should your essay be? The essay should be words, which might sound like a lot at first, but you will be surprised by how quickly you reach that limit WebAug 3,  · 1. Explore essay prompts and select a topic. 2. Start your college essay outline before jumping in. 3. Write the essay and leave time for multiple drafts. 4. Edit WebSep 28,  · Many universities ask applicants to include a college application essay—usually a personal statement or similar essay—along with their application WebWriting college application essays is often the most stressful part of the admissions process for students, and as a result many tend to put them off until the last minute. WebFeb 4,  · Make a plan before you start writing, divide your essay into three sections (the introduction, the body, and the conclusion), and decide on the most important points you WebSep 29,  · Revised on August 17, 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 and words. You ... read more

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :. Category : Campus Life. For example, the University of Illinois says :. Delete unnecessary words that clutter your essay. Some application portals will allow you to exceed the word count limit, but admissions officers have limited time and energy to read longer essays. Generations of inspiring women have thrived in the Wellesley community, and we want to know what aspects of this community inspire you to consider Wellesley. How Long Should a College Essay Be?

Let your list of extracurricular activities, academic record, letters of recommendation, and supplemental essays and materials show your range of accomplishments. What if you feel that you need more space to communicate all of your ideas clearly? Is this article helpful? Realize the purpose of the personal how long should my college application essay be is not to tell your life story or to give an exhaustive overview of all of your accomplishments. As long as you give yourself the time to brainstorm, and write and then rewrite, as well as ask for feedback from others along the way, you can end up with a solid final product.