Randolph wrote:
My essays are around 600 words, 12 Ft. If this had been the first application I submitted, I feel I would have been inclined to utilize as many words as possible (1200?) to take advantage of the 2 page limit. However, having been forced to answer similiar questions at other schools with 500-600 word constraints...It feels like even 700-800 words is excessive and long winded...I guess if you have enough additional content to discuss, you should use as many words as needed. But writing more, just because they give you space, doesn't make sense to me - not saying anyone here has done that of course.
I agree with you - After having written 2 applications and completing my final one post this, I am becoming a fan of the 500-600 word range. A lot of redundancies can definitely be removed ... and I am an Indian - we have the habit of writing a lot to convey (often) less. My Fuqua essays are all in the same range - First one is 620, the next is 520 and the last is about 500.
Although they say font size should not be less than 10 pt., would advise a minimum 11 and ideally 12. Its better for reading - looking from the adcom's perspective. Further, do keep atleast a 1" margin all around (the normal margin option in word). Using these, you won't fit more than 700-750 words on 2 pages, and I think that is MORE than sufficient. Plus, having 3 essays, each of 750 is a little too much in my opinion - 1 is fine, 3 is going too far.