INSEAD motivation essay length

Question

Hello all!

I've been a lurker on this forum for a couple months now, but just finally decided to make an account this week. Thanks to everyone for the helpful insight!

I am currently polishing my application for round 3 deadline next week. I've got just about everything complete, but wanted some advice that I wasn't able to find already posted on this forum.

The motivation essays have word limit suggestions (approx 500, approx 400, or approx 300 words) 
What do they mean by approximately? I'm currently sitting at about 558 words on my first question. Am I going to get dinged for going nearly 60 words over their recommendation? I've already trimmed it down quite a bit from my first draft. The fourth optional question calls for 300 words approx, and my current draft is sitting at 378 words.

My gut is telling me approximately means it should round to the recommended number, so approx 500 would be 450-549 words. Any input from the GMATclub would be much appreciated!

Regards,
EaglesRugby

vroldao · Answer

My rule of thumb is to always have fewer words than the "approx". Less words means better synthesis. If you can say the same in less words it means you were not being synthetic enough before.
When I wrote mine I pointed initially at 550 and then read it many times until get it down to 495 or less.

mrwisequy · Answer

Hi, i think you shouldnt be too focussed on the word count (it says approx for a reason). I actually went about 15% over the limit on all essays and got accepted so focus on what you want to say and not stress too much on the wordcount...

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Hello  EaglesRugby , approx, well, they KNOW you are likely to write more than less! It's generally accepted for you to go over by 10% as long as you don't do it on all the essays - and this is with a firm limit, not an approx limit - so you are fine. Just make sure it is succinct, compelling, and the reader can understand why you needed some extra words to establish your case. Good luck!

GyanOne · Answer

Hi EaglesRuby

You certainly wont get dinged for going over the limit by a bit, and about 10-15% is typically ok at INSEAD. The 300 word one, we would recommend you try and cut down to about 330-340, and that would be pretty doable just by playing around with the language rather than removing any substance.

They will ultimately judge your essays by the content and wont really pay much attention to the word limits as long as they are not way over and there is no sense of dragging an essay with unnecessary details.

aaaaatomic · Answer

Hi all, as a matter of fact, the system wouldn't save the file if your word count exceeds the recommended number. 
So it's not "approx 300". It actually means "below 300". 
A lot of applicants only found that out when they pasted the essays over to INSEAD application page and they needed to spend time and efforts sizing down the essays. Hope future applicants who see this post be careful with this trick!

stevenb28 · Answer

is it still true - if you exceed the words count, it wont let you submit the application?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Yes, you cannot go over by a single letter https://mbaprepcoach.com

bb · Answer

INSEAD motivation essay length

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