How closely is one supposed to match the given word counts? Are they to be considered hard upper limits? (Specifically LBS and INSEAD)
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How to interpret essay word count?
Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process |
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Bryant@VeritasPrep
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Generally it's considered good form to come within 10% +/- of the recommended word count. The closer the better, but they will not fault you if you are within the 10 percent rule in general. One strategy would be to make sure that if you go over on some, at least don't go over on all the essays.
Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant
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MBA Admissions Consultant
Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options
I've heard different versions of this... some say 10% max and others say don't risk it. Me personally... I'm not going to risk it... to me those extra couples of sentences won't give me that edge... i'll figure out a way to make it work within the requirements.
My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.
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Bryant@VeritasPrep
- MBA Admissions Consultant
- Posts: 1090
- Thanked: 175 times
- GMAT Score:750
Good point--although it's definitely school specific. You should ask around for the particular schools you are targeting to see what their historic stance is. If you don't know any alumni, you can always call and ask the admissions office to get them to weigh in on going a bit over. I know that Harvard, for example, appreciates adherance to the word limits. There are some other schools a bit more loose.
Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant
Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options
MBA Admissions Consultant
Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options
yeah i never really understood that... I mean if they allow you to go over 10% lets say the question is 500 words... why not just make it a hard cut off at 550 words?
but to reiterate... i think your best option is to call the schools
but to reiterate... i think your best option is to call the schools
My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.
My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog
Me featured on Poets & Quants
Free Book for MBA Applicants
My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog
Me featured on Poets & Quants
Free Book for MBA Applicants
