Do you exceed word limit?

Question

Some schools have 400 or 500 word limits on essays. Sometimes it can be ridiculousness and just impossible to put all in 500 words. So, do you exceed word limits? If so, on how many words?

aaudetat · Answer

This issue is much-discussed every year. 

Most applicants find that word limits actually help them write stronger essays. You are forced to make tough choices and really separate the wheat from the chaf, so to speak. 

As far as going over goes, it's pretty rare that anyone's actually going to count the number of words you have. Within a certain margin, anyone who's not counting words won't notice that you're under or over -- most folks say 10% is completely normal. 

If you choose to go over more than that, you risk a lot:
* You can't follow directions
* You think that rules don't apply to you
* You have an unfair advantage over those who did maintain the limits

And even if the adcom doesn't think the above, they are likely to hold those extra words to a high standard. In other words, those extra words better be earth-shattering and worth their time.

You hear stories about people writing more (I mean much more, not just another 10% or something) and still getting in. But it's a risk, and one that I wasn't willing to take.

zakk · Answer

No. Lock the thread.

kidderek · Answer

I want extra points for hitting 400 on the dot.

mNeo · Answer

The general consensus is that 10% over the limit should be okay because the word limits are usually just "recommendations" .. not some hard limits.

However, I do not agree with the "nobody is going to count the words in an essay" argument. All the essays are uploaded to schools' websites. And a simple piece of code on the website can print the number of words an essay has (If a school really wanted to check if you follow instructions or not).

So, if your school says that the word limit is just a recommended limit, then you can usually go 10% above. But if it is not specified that the limit is just a "recommendation", then my suggestion is, "Do not go over the limit".

aviroop · Answer

If its recommended word limit - 10% deviation is ok, but I tend to stay within the word limit. 

If its 500 word max - I either stop at 500 or 499.

And word!!

No point in exceeding maximum word limits. Simply shows you cannot follow rules.

Piter · Answer

I have to do a tough decision. I'm not talking about goal essay or accomplishment essay, which I can write in 400 or 750 with no problems. I am talking about leadership essay. I've got an amazing story, but I can't put it in 500 words. Now I've got 800 and I came to the point, where deleting one more sentence will change the meaning or make it difficult to understand. So, I'm between hammer and anvil: sacrifice good story or exceed word limit...

kryzak · Answer

good point about "recommended" and "max" That means I need to shave off 5-10% of words from my Haas essays, doh!

I did my leadership essay in less than 500 words, and it was a pretty good experience too, so you can skimp on a few details and keep it under 500.

lepium · Answer

5-10% worked for me.

L.

Do you exceed word limit?

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