How strict are essay wording rules ?

Expert replies

logitech: Legendary Member; Posts: 2134; Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pmFollowed by: 25 members; Thanked: 237 times; GMAT Score:730

by logitech » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:51 pm

Marshall Master of Business Administration for Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM) Essay Questions:

1. Using less than 500 words, please describe your future goals, how an MBA will help you achieve your objectives, and why now is the right time for you to pursue an MBA at USC Marshall.

2. Optional: Using less than 250 words, what additional information would you like the admissions committee to know about you?

My first essay is around 540 words and the second is around 290!

What do you guys think ?

LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"

Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:51 pm

mayonnai5e: Legendary Member; Posts: 1018; Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:19 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 86 times

by mayonnai5e » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:11 pm

Logitech, I'd suggest cutting it down. I think most people have this same problem initially - I know I did. In some cases, my essays were over by 200 words! I spent hours paring my essays down to meet the word limits; more often than not, you can get the same points across with fewer words. The danger of not abiding by the rules is that you come off on the wrong foot - as someone who cannot follow simple guidelines and cannot express himself adequately.

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ejh25: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 13; Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:41 am; GMAT Score:710

by ejh25 » Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:31 pm

I would (and did) strictly follow the word/ page limits in the application process.
Learning how to write concisely and clearly shows professionalism. No one likes to ready wordy essays.

VP_MBA_Guru: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 690; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 12:51 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 39 times; GMAT Score:750+

by VP_MBA_Guru » Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:28 pm

E - the rule of thumb is you can go up to 10-15% below/over the word limit. However, some schools have a strict cap on the number of words allowed when using the online application. I suggest you double check

For example Haas ONLY allows the word limit, will not let you add anything more.

Regards,

N

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