{"id":34533,"date":"2016-09-16T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-16T21:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=34533"},"modified":"2023-10-30T07:07:32","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T14:07:32","slug":"ugh-those-word-limits-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/ugh-those-word-limits-2\/","title":{"rendered":"UGH! THOSE @!#$* WORD LIMITS!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, now. Don\u2019t get angry. Deal.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, focus. And use writing techniques that convey your message and stay within the word limits. What writing techniques are those? Glad you asked!<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Minimize use of the passive voice.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Passive:<\/strong> Experience A has been complemented by experience B. (8 words)
\n\u2022 Active:<\/strong> Experience B complements experience A. (5 words)<\/p>\n

2. Use active, descriptive verbs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Blah:<\/strong> I was the one who made the decision\u2026 (8 words)
\n\u2022 Strong:<\/strong> I decided\u2026 (2 words)<\/p>\n

3. Minimize use of the verb \u201cto be\u201d (Please note that I did not say \u201celiminate.\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Overuse of \u201cto-be\u201d:<\/strong> She is a skillful negotiator. (5 words)
\n\u2022 Strong Active Verb:<\/strong> She negotiates skillfully. (3 words)<\/p>\n

4. Check whether you need the verb preceding an infinitive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Surplus words:<\/strong> She was able to fix\u2026 (5 words)
\n\u2022 More direct phrasing:<\/strong> She fixed\u2026 (2 words)<\/p>\n

These few techniques will strengthen your writing, help you stay within those limits<\/a>, and give you one less reason to curse your applications.<\/p>\n

\"5<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Rebecca<\/a>By\u00a0Dr. Rebecca Blustein<\/a>,\u00a0Accepted consultant since 2008, former Student Affairs Officer at UCLA\u2019s Scholarship Resource Center. Dr. Blustein, who earned her Ph.D. at UCLA, has helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MS, MA, and Ph.D. programs. She's also an expert on grad school funding and scholarships.Want Rebecca\u00a0to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 From Example to Exemplary<\/a>, free guide
\n\u2022\u00a0How to Edit Your Application Essays<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0How to Use Good Grammar to Create Essays that Flow<\/a><\/p>\n

This article<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>originally appeared on\u00a0<\/span><\/i>blog.accepted.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i><\/span>get accepted<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now, now. Don\u2019t get angry. Deal. First and foremost, focus. And use writing techniques that convey your message and stay within the word limits. What writing techniques are those? Glad…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,939,775,113,243],"tags":[1981,273],"class_list":["post-34533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mba","category-accepted","category-admission-consultants","category-applications","category-blog","tag-sop","tag-statement-of-purpose","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\n