What is the word limit for college application essays?
I'm working on my Common App essay right now and I'm a little confused about how long it should be. I know the Common App says there's a word limit, but is it okay to go over by a few words? Or do colleges really care if you're a bit under?
I've drafted something that's about 630 words and the limit says 650, but I don't know if it's better to aim for the maximum, or if it's fine to leave it a bit shorter. Does anyone know if hitting 650 exactly matters, or if being a little under is totally normal?
Also, do different colleges have their own limits for supplemental essays, or is it just the main essay with a strict limit? Would really appreciate any advice or personal experiences on how you all approached this.
I've drafted something that's about 630 words and the limit says 650, but I don't know if it's better to aim for the maximum, or if it's fine to leave it a bit shorter. Does anyone know if hitting 650 exactly matters, or if being a little under is totally normal?
Also, do different colleges have their own limits for supplemental essays, or is it just the main essay with a strict limit? Would really appreciate any advice or personal experiences on how you all approached this.
2 months ago
•
29 views
Roger Lopez
• 2 months ago
Advisor
The Common App personal essay has a strict word limit of 650 words, and the application portal will not let you submit an essay longer than that. If you try to enter more than 650 words, you’ll be prompted to cut it down. It’s absolutely fine to be a bit under the limit — many strong essays fall anywhere between 550 and 650 words. There’s no requirement to hit 650 exactly, and being a little below (like 630) is not a problem at all as long as your essay feels complete and well-developed.
What’s important is that you use the space you need to tell your story in a way that feels authentic and meaningful. Some students find that using the maximum word count helps them dive deeper, but others can say what they need more concisely. Be careful not to pad your essay with unnecessary details just to hit the max.
Supplements are different! Each college sets its own limit for supplemental essays. Some may ask for 250 words, 100 words, or even just a short answer. Those are also strict limits, and most portals will not let you go over. For example, one popular school asks for a 200-word answer for the “Why Us?” prompt — going too far under (like submitting only 90 words) might seem underdeveloped, but being between 180 and 200 is typical.
From experience, it’s better to focus on quality over quantity. If you’ve responded thoughtfully to the prompt and your essay is tightly edited, you don’t need to worry about maximizing every single word. Most admissions readers prefer clarity and depth over length.
When finalizing your essays, double check the word count for every prompt on each school’s application page. Each one may be slightly different, and staying within the stated limits will show attention to detail. Good luck — and don’t stress too much about being a little under the max!
What’s important is that you use the space you need to tell your story in a way that feels authentic and meaningful. Some students find that using the maximum word count helps them dive deeper, but others can say what they need more concisely. Be careful not to pad your essay with unnecessary details just to hit the max.
Supplements are different! Each college sets its own limit for supplemental essays. Some may ask for 250 words, 100 words, or even just a short answer. Those are also strict limits, and most portals will not let you go over. For example, one popular school asks for a 200-word answer for the “Why Us?” prompt — going too far under (like submitting only 90 words) might seem underdeveloped, but being between 180 and 200 is typical.
From experience, it’s better to focus on quality over quantity. If you’ve responded thoughtfully to the prompt and your essay is tightly edited, you don’t need to worry about maximizing every single word. Most admissions readers prefer clarity and depth over length.
When finalizing your essays, double check the word count for every prompt on each school’s application page. Each one may be slightly different, and staying within the stated limits will show attention to detail. Good luck — and don’t stress too much about being a little under the max!
Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years