Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 10:05 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 10:05
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
phdes
avatar
Joined: 06 Jul 2011
Last visit: 02 Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Own Kudos:
14
Given Kudos: 24
Schools: Insead '13 (M)
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
Schools: Insead '13 (M)
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
Posts: 32
Kudos: 14
Too short essay ? 22 Sep 2012, 06:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I need to write an application essay of max 600 words. After writing it, several persons told me to remove a passage that was playing against my best interests. Now, the essay is about 450 words long. I am wondering how the adcom will interpret the fact that I submit an essay with 25% less words than the maximum limit.
I am happy with the current form of the essay and have no problem with submitting it with 450 words but I don't want the adcom to feel like I am not interested by the school (it's actually my top choice and the only school to which I apply) and do not use all the means available to defend my case.
Can I leave it with 450 words or do I have to add something to get closer to 600 words ?
avatar
Ward2012
avatar
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Last visit: 03 Oct 2018
Posts: 572
Own Kudos:
148
Given Kudos: 28
Location: United States
Schools: Ross '16 (M)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Ross '16 (M)
Posts: 572
Kudos: 148
Too short essay ? Updated on: 05 Oct 2012, 19:38
Originally posted by Ward2012 on 28 Sep 2012, 11:26.
Last edited by Ward2012 on 05 Oct 2012, 19:38, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
deschoup
I need to write an application essay of max 600 words. After writing it, several persons told me to remove a passage that was playing against my best interests. Now, the essay is about 450 words long. I am wondering how the adcom will interpret the fact that I submit an essay with 25% less words than the maximum limit.
I am happy with the current form of the essay and have no problem with submitting it with 450 words but I don't want the adcom to feel like I am not interested by the school (it's actually my top choice and the only school to which I apply) and do not use all the means available to defend my case.
Can I leave it with 450 words or do I have to add something to get closer to 600 words ?
Show more

It's hard to say without reading the essay. One thing that I can say is that the school will definitely notice. Visually, they know that 600 words is about a page to a page and a half.

If your essay in its current form is visual, impactful and drives its point home, then you'll probably be rewarded for getting to the point. Adcom committee members read 1000s of essays each year. But if you could add more details (and not empty statements) that make the reader feel like he/she is there with you in your story, then I would go for it. 150 words is a fair amount--about 2 paragraphs.
User avatar
machichi
User avatar
Joined: 02 May 2012
Last visit: 23 Jul 2015
Posts: 402
Own Kudos:
168
Given Kudos: 78
Status:Yale! (whipped and bound)
Location: United States (CA)
Concentration: Nonprofit
Schools: Yale '15 (M) Haas '15 (WL) Stanford '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.41
Schools: Yale '15 (M) Haas '15 (WL) Stanford '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V42
Posts: 402
Kudos: 168
Too short essay ? 04 Oct 2012, 17:30
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If it's the "why our program" essay, you MUST make it longer. They will see it as a sign that you don't care about their program. Now if it's describe a horrible failure that ruined the world, they might feel like you didn't learn enough from it.

There's a difference beteween being concise and being shallow in your writing. Make sure it's the first. They want clear, articulate, and reflective writing, not banal and surface-level.
User avatar
ManhattanReview
User avatar
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Last visit: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 591
Own Kudos:
134
Given Kudos: 1
Affiliations: Columbia, Wharton, LBS
Concentration: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools:Harvard, Stanford, LBS, Columbia, Wharton, HEC Paris
Posts: 591
Kudos: 134
Too short essay ? 04 Oct 2012, 17:37
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
There is no rule that says that says you have to use every word allowed. In fact, the essays that I remember best while on admissions at Wharton were those that were direct and to the point and did not use every single word. I was always amazed with the talent of those who could answer the question effectively with say 250 words when almost everybody else needed 500 words. The worst essays are those that totally disobey the word limit and go on (seemingly) forever.

if you think that your essay is complete and that you answered the question effectively, then have confidence that your essay will sell well.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review