app2012 wrote:
Hey Guys,
How are you doing on Tuck essays? I am interested in knowing thoughts of current Tuck students on word count. I just finished my Tuck goal essay and the word count is 790 words.
Hey app2012, I am currently at 750 myself and I feel that it is too high. While Tuck provides no max, I think there are some extremes to that number. Given the recommended length is 500 I am shooting to get myself down to 600 words or less. Obviously I would not cut sentences and words that add value, but reading these forums there have been some good ideas out there.
The few that I remember are:
1. Read the essay backwards and see how it flows. There are probably organizational issues that can be found and sentences that become superfluous to the overall message.
2. Read the essay and look for weak sentences in paragraphs. These sentences either add no value and need to be removed, or are weak and need to be revised.
3. Have 2-3 other people read the essays. Ideally people who have applied to B-School. get their inputs and take their advice. Usually a fresh set of eyes will help cut out unnecessary words.
Regardless of what I have said, I would not take out anything you think adds value to the essay. You essay should portray you message and I would not do anything to sacrifice that.
Hope this helps.