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xerox
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Essay word count 17 Jun 2007, 19:02
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Paul,

On pages 126-127 of your book (Failure essay 2) the essay is 372 words long, the length requirement stated in the prompt is "20 lines, 300 to 350 words".

What are the guidelines for counting words?
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Essay word count 18 Jun 2007, 20:39
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xerox
Paul,

On pages 126-127 of your book (Failure essay 2) the essay is 372 words long, the length requirement stated in the prompt is "20 lines, 300 to 350 words".

What are the guidelines for counting words?
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xerox,

Finally an easy question, thanks! A good safe rule is "10% over"--don't go more than 10% over the stated length limit. Even this you can fudge a bit if all your other essays hit the word limit and you really can't find a way to cut any more. But 400 plus would be pushing your luck.

Good luck,
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Essay word count 20 Jun 2007, 03:57
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Thank you, Paul!

That is helpful.

I think, you could explain that in your next book, because it is an important technical detail.
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Essay word count 22 Jun 2007, 13:12
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xerox
Thank you, Paul!

That is helpful.

I think, you could explain that in your next book, because it is an important technical detail.
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Xerox,

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll make a note of that!

Cheers,
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Essay word count 26 Jun 2007, 00:12
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Paul, but at the same time schools make it very clear that people should stay within the word limit boundaries.

For example HBS explicitly asks to "limit your response to the length indicated"

Is it possible that schools might consider overlength essays with a "different" attitude?
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Essay word count 26 Jun 2007, 00:13
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It is just a bit confusing, and I like clarity when it is possible to have things clear.
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Essay word count 26 Jun 2007, 13:27
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xerox
Paul, but at the same time schools make it very clear that people should stay within the word limit boundaries.

For example HBS explicitly asks to "limit your response to the length indicated"

Is it possible that schools might consider overlength essays with a "different" attitude?
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xerox,

In my experience, HBS does not literally mean that they won't read any words that go over their length limit or that they will penalize you if you stray over the length limit by a few words. We always recommend a 10% over rule, but for HBS you may want to use a 5% over rule.
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Essay word count 26 Jun 2007, 13:57
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Paul,

Some schools like Kellogg specify length as 1-2 pages double spaced and 2-3 paragraphs. I would assume since they specify some are 1-2 pgs and some are 2-3 para. that the shorter essays with paragraph lengths given should be less than a page. Depending on the length of the paragraph you could milk this one for a pretty good size essay.

I assume with electronic apps that all the fonts are standard too so they do not really care about the 10pt-12pt of a specific font rule that I remember when doing hardcopy apps for undergrad.

Thanks.
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Essay word count 29 Jun 2007, 09:27
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Paul,

Some schools like Kellogg specify length as 1-2 pages double spaced and 2-3 paragraphs. I would assume since they specify some are 1-2 pgs and some are 2-3 para. that the shorter essays with paragraph lengths given should be less than a page. Depending on the length of the paragraph you could milk this one for a pretty good size essay.

I assume with electronic apps that all the fonts are standard too so they do not really care about the 10pt-12pt of a specific font rule that I remember when doing hardcopy apps for undergrad.

Thanks.
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riverripper,

You are right on both counts. My rule of thumb with Kellogg's 2-3-paragraph short essays has been to aim for one page. If you're over that you're using paragraphs that are too long, and the adcoms will probably get peeved. I agree that font size is irrelevant for uploaded essays.

Thanks,