Can you go over the word count on a college essay?

Most college essays have a stated word-limit. You need to follow directions, but as long as the college’s online application doesn’t cut you off, it’s fine to go over the word limit by 10-20 words in a short essay, and maybe by a few sentences in a long essay.

How many words is too much for a college essay?

Writing too much will likely result in your essay being cut off, and writing too little may cause readers to think that you aren’t truly interested in their school. If no range is given, remember to stick to 400-600 words. This will give you enough space to demonstrate your interest and help readers learn about you!

What happens if you go over the word limit on university essay?

1) The Word Count When you get to writing university essays, everything changes. Many universities apply a kind of ‘penalty’ if either of these happens. A pretty common one is your mark will be reduced by 10% if you’re 10% over or under the word limit.

Is it OK to go over the word count?

One rule of thumb that is frequently tossed around is 10%, although it’s worth noting that admissions consultants tend to promote this rule more than any admissions officer does. However, if you can stay within 10% of the word limit for an essay, you probably are okay.

Can your college essay be more than 650 words?

Your essay must not be longer than 650 words, but it can be shorter. Anything over 500 words is fine, as long as your essay is thoughtful and complete. If your essay is running short, add relevant details and descriptions that help the reader get a better glimpse of the situation and your personality.

What is the penalty for going over word count?

The falsification of a word count may result in the failure of the paper. There is no penalization for essays which exceed the word limit by up to 5% of the imposed limit. However, if you exceed the word limit by any more than 5%, a fixed penalty of five marks will be deducted from your assessment grade.

Do teachers actually check word count?

If written, they will actually count them, looking for repetition. If submitted electronically, they can, among other things look at the properties of the essay, or they can simply highlight the whole document, which will also give you the number of words.

What happens if you go over the word limit on your college essay?

Martin and I assume you are in college already and are concerned about going over the word limit on the essays you write for your courses. Most importantly, it depends on the content of your essay. If your essay is a bit longer than required but well-written, that’s no problem.

What should you not say in a college essay?

Unfortunately, stumbling into the TMI zone of essay topics is more common than you think. One quick test for checking your privacy-breaking level: if it’s not something you’d tell a friendly stranger sitting next to you on the plane, maybe don’t tell it to the admissions office.

How long should a college application essay be?

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get to somewhere between 450-500 words.

Is there a page limit for a college essay?

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for a writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B, Amherst clarifies, “There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities.