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gmatclb
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Going way under the word limit 19 Sep 2007, 18:43
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I have a word limit of 400 words on one of my essays and I feel like I said everything I wanted to say in 300 words. This is for Cornell and they only require 2 400 word essays.


I can probably write more filler words to make it 400, but wonder if the adcomm will think something's up if I only write 300 words.
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mNeo
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Going way under the word limit 19 Sep 2007, 18:59
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I think they will be impressed if they find that you said everything that you wanted to in 300 words. Why should you use filler words?

Having said that, put the essay down today and look at it again in a day or two. Maybe you'll find a few areas that can be strengthened with those 100 words at your disposal. If you don't, then great .. let the essay be of 300 words.
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Going way under the word limit 19 Sep 2007, 22:05
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Cornell only asks for TWO 400 word essays?? How the heck do they expect to know an applicant with just two essays?

Anyway, if you're 100 word under and your essay is strong, don't worry about it. But mNeo is right, let it sit for a few days before you look at it again, you may want to add things as you talk to more people and learn more about the school.
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Going way under the word limit 19 Sep 2007, 23:02
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Cornell uses the exclusive services of ncprasad and his reputed crystal ball.

Seriously, 800 words to talk about myself.. every other school has a goals essay that has at-least 750 words.
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Going way under the word limit 19 Sep 2007, 23:48
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that's pretty impressive... most schools have at least THREE essays, each around 500 words or so... I'm not sure what Cornell is trying to do here...
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Going way under the word limit 19 Sep 2007, 23:54
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I now feel like applying to Cornell just cos I'll have to write only two essays for it :-)
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 06:31
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I now feel like applying to Cornell just cos I'll have to write only two essays for it :-)
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me too. but you have to write a 3rd one for the scholarship consideration.
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 06:38
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I now feel like applying to Cornell just cos I'll have to write only two essays for it :-)

me too. but you have to write a 3rd one for the scholarship consideration.
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Really? I only see 2, an optional one, and one for reapplicants. Or do you have to write that one if you are initially selected for the scholarship?
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 08:18
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I now feel like applying to Cornell just cos I'll have to write only two essays for it :-)

me too. but you have to write a 3rd one for the scholarship consideration.

...Or do you have to write that one if you are initially selected for the scholarship?
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Bingo. They contact you to let you know that you're in (before the notification deadline) and then you have about 10 days to write the additional essay. Again, 400 words. I was cranky about it. I was SO OVER essays.
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 08:23
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Stanford also requires a 500 word essay on diversity... I remember Aau asking if anyone else was doing it... I'm just sick of essays right now...
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 15:15
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Man.. an essay to get a scholarship?? Things are sure interesting..
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 17:01
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aviroop
Man.. an essay to get a scholarship?? Things are sure interesting..
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Yup. And if you get a scholarship and try to get them to re-evaluate so that you can get more, they just might make you write another essay to prove yourself worthy. You think you're done, but you're not until you've paid your deposit and you're happy with your financial aid!
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 17:25
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An essay to push the scholarship money higher?? Dont these guys talk verbally.
I am starting to like Cornell..
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Going way under the word limit 20 Sep 2007, 17:32
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aviroop
An essay to push the scholarship money higher?? Dont these guys talk verbally.
I am starting to like Cornell..
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Oh, I wasn't talking specifically about Cornell. Each school has a different procedure if you want them to re-evaluate your scholarship. I'm not sure what Cornell's is.
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Going way under the word limit 21 Sep 2007, 00:17
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i hope you're not talking about Stanford aau... I HATE writing essays! I'm still debating P4D.

I still can't believe Cornell only has two 400-word essays!
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Going way under the word limit 21 Sep 2007, 04:04
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aviroop
Cornell uses the exclusive services of ncprasad and his reputed crystal ball.

Seriously, 800 words to talk about myself.. every other school has a goals essay that has at-least 750 words.
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Yeah, I'm having troubles with the GSB 1st essay, I needed to cut off around 100 words...

With 2 400 words I would be totally lost....
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Going way under the word limit 21 Sep 2007, 09:41
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oh boy, if you're having problems with GSB 1st essay... you're in for some trouble...

I'm glad I got *trained* by Haas' four 250 word essays, that was brutal!
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Going way under the word limit 21 Sep 2007, 15:26
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kryzak
oh boy, if you're having problems with GSB 1st essay... you're in for some trouble...

I'm glad I got *trained* by Haas' four 250 word essays, that was brutal!
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Oh man, Haas is still one in my short list. But only for R2.
Seriously I thought I would have trouble writing, now I do not know what to cut.


About the word count, I read somewhere that you should aim for something between 3/4 to the max limit. 100 words less on the 3 pages Stanford 1st essay is not the same as 100 words on a 400 words essay.

Try to dig something else, but off course, something that makes sense.