How long is a typical college application essay?
I'm starting to work on my Common App essay, but I'm confused about how long it should actually be. The website says 250-650 words, but I don't know what's considered the 'ideal' length. Do most people aim for the maximum word count, or is it better to be more concise?
I'm worried about fitting everything important about myself without making my essay super long or too short. If anyone has advice on what admissions officers prefer, I’d appreciate it, especially if you have experience or already went through this process!
I'm worried about fitting everything important about myself without making my essay super long or too short. If anyone has advice on what admissions officers prefer, I’d appreciate it, especially if you have experience or already went through this process!
4 months ago
•
24 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
The Common App personal statement has a word count range of 250 to 650 words, but in practice, most strong essays fall toward the upper end, usually between 600 and 650 words. Admissions officers want to see that applicants can craft a compelling narrative and make the most of the space allowed, but without rambling or adding unnecessary filler.
Aiming for something close to the maximum isn't about padding your essay out. Instead, it gives you enough room to dig deeply into one or two key experiences, show growth, and offer insight into your personality and values. While essays at the lower end (e.g., 300–400 words) are technically allowed, it's hard to cover enough ground and show sufficient reflection in such a short space.
For example, someone who wrote about a seemingly small moment—a disagreement with a family member that led to a bigger realization about empathy—found that they needed around 630 words to set the scene, explore their emotions, and show their resulting change. This length let them provide enough context to make their story meaningful and memorable. On the other hand, an essay closer to 650 words that includes a lot of vague or generic details can actually hurt your chances.
It's helpful to write your first draft without worrying about the word count, just getting your thoughts out. Then, cut anything repetitive or off-topic. Make sure every sentence has purpose and contributes to your main point. Don’t artificially stretch the essay, but don’t be afraid to use the full space if you need it.
Admissions officers appreciate essays that feel complete—those that fully develop a focused topic. They’re used to reading essays in the 600–650 word range, so you’re not at a disadvantage if you use the whole limit. In summary, target between 600–650 words for your Common App essay unless you’re sure your story is stronger with fewer words.
If you want help tightening up your ideas or feedback on your content, working with an advisor or getting peer review can really help too.
Aiming for something close to the maximum isn't about padding your essay out. Instead, it gives you enough room to dig deeply into one or two key experiences, show growth, and offer insight into your personality and values. While essays at the lower end (e.g., 300–400 words) are technically allowed, it's hard to cover enough ground and show sufficient reflection in such a short space.
For example, someone who wrote about a seemingly small moment—a disagreement with a family member that led to a bigger realization about empathy—found that they needed around 630 words to set the scene, explore their emotions, and show their resulting change. This length let them provide enough context to make their story meaningful and memorable. On the other hand, an essay closer to 650 words that includes a lot of vague or generic details can actually hurt your chances.
It's helpful to write your first draft without worrying about the word count, just getting your thoughts out. Then, cut anything repetitive or off-topic. Make sure every sentence has purpose and contributes to your main point. Don’t artificially stretch the essay, but don’t be afraid to use the full space if you need it.
Admissions officers appreciate essays that feel complete—those that fully develop a focused topic. They’re used to reading essays in the 600–650 word range, so you’re not at a disadvantage if you use the whole limit. In summary, target between 600–650 words for your Common App essay unless you’re sure your story is stronger with fewer words.
If you want help tightening up your ideas or feedback on your content, working with an advisor or getting peer review can really help too.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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