How many words should my college essay actually be?
I'm starting to draft my Common App essay and I'm confused about the official and the 'ideal' essay length. The Common App says there’s a 650-word maximum, but does that mean we should hit exactly 650, or is it better to be closer to 500 or 600?
Some friends told me their counselors said shorter essays are better if you get your point across, but I don’t want to leave out important details. Does it hurt your application if your essay is like 480 words vs. 650? Or is it bad if it goes a little over the limit?
I’m applying to a mix of Ivies and state schools if that makes any difference and I want to make sure I don’t mess up just because of the word count.
Some friends told me their counselors said shorter essays are better if you get your point across, but I don’t want to leave out important details. Does it hurt your application if your essay is like 480 words vs. 650? Or is it bad if it goes a little over the limit?
I’m applying to a mix of Ivies and state schools if that makes any difference and I want to make sure I don’t mess up just because of the word count.
4 months ago
•
42 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Great questions! The official Common App personal statement has a strict maximum of 650 words, and the application won’t let you enter anything above that limit. That means it’s essential to stay at or below 650.
There is no magic number you *must* hit within that range. Most strong essays tend to fall between 600 and 650 words, since this usually allows enough space to tell a compelling, nuanced story while providing context, reflection, and a satisfying conclusion. However, quality is always more important than quantity!
An essay around 500 words can still work really well if every sentence is meaningful and you cover what you want to share. That said, if your essay is much shorter—like in the 450-500 word range—it’s worth considering if you’ve left out any significant details or missed an opportunity to provide insight about yourself.
On the other hand, you should never go over 650 words, even by a word or two. The system will cut you off, and going over is seen as not following instructions. If you're at 655, edit until you’re comfortably at or under the limit.
For example, let’s say your first draft is 700 words. You’ll need to trim down: focus your story, cut repetitive parts, and keep only the strongest details and reflections. Or, if your draft is 480 words, ask yourself: Can you add more of your voice, insight, or a specific example of how you responded to a challenge or what you learned? Sometimes expanding with a vivid scene or more self-reflection strengthens your essay a lot.
Bottom line: Aim for somewhere between 600 and 650 words if you can, as that space is there for you to use! But if your essay is on the shorter side and it’s powerful, don’t pad it with fluff—substance wins every time. Being clear, authentic, and thoughtful is far more important than hitting a specific word count within the allowed range.
It doesn’t matter if you’re applying to Ivies or state schools—the rule and ideal guidelines are the same. Good luck on your essays!
There is no magic number you *must* hit within that range. Most strong essays tend to fall between 600 and 650 words, since this usually allows enough space to tell a compelling, nuanced story while providing context, reflection, and a satisfying conclusion. However, quality is always more important than quantity!
An essay around 500 words can still work really well if every sentence is meaningful and you cover what you want to share. That said, if your essay is much shorter—like in the 450-500 word range—it’s worth considering if you’ve left out any significant details or missed an opportunity to provide insight about yourself.
On the other hand, you should never go over 650 words, even by a word or two. The system will cut you off, and going over is seen as not following instructions. If you're at 655, edit until you’re comfortably at or under the limit.
For example, let’s say your first draft is 700 words. You’ll need to trim down: focus your story, cut repetitive parts, and keep only the strongest details and reflections. Or, if your draft is 480 words, ask yourself: Can you add more of your voice, insight, or a specific example of how you responded to a challenge or what you learned? Sometimes expanding with a vivid scene or more self-reflection strengthens your essay a lot.
Bottom line: Aim for somewhere between 600 and 650 words if you can, as that space is there for you to use! But if your essay is on the shorter side and it’s powerful, don’t pad it with fluff—substance wins every time. Being clear, authentic, and thoughtful is far more important than hitting a specific word count within the allowed range.
It doesn’t matter if you’re applying to Ivies or state schools—the rule and ideal guidelines are the same. Good luck on your essays!
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Camille Luong
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