WA@kwf3492
Are we sure that 5-10 words over wont send a wrong signal to the adcoms?
In the past, some Fuqua applicants have confirmed that going slightly over did not hurt them, but they also recommend keeping the essays as close as possible to the guidelines. So, 5-10 words over won’t send a wrong signal, but discipline matters, and it’s good to trim the Essays where possible. Repeatedly or significantly going over (20-50+ words) can signal an inability to follow guidelines, which Adcoms do care about. Business schools value concise communication, so consistently ignoring limits can work against you.
Aim to stay within the stated limit or 1-2% over at most. If you’re 10+ words over, re-read and tighten your phrasing. Almost always, you can trim fillers without losing the meaning.
We always follow the word limit.
Good luck, everyone!