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Word Limit/Page Limit of Application Essays

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Word Limit/Page Limit of Application Essays

by ECLS » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:57 pm
Hi,

For my school (MIT - Sloan Program), I have to write 4 compulsory essays (500 words or less than one page) + 1 Optional essay (no limit).

I am finished writing the essays but I am going over by 68 (essay I) + 65 (II) + 65 (III) + 10 (IV) = Total 208 words across all 4 essays.

I would have liked to stick to the word limit but I have done several revisions. If I cut it short more, I would be losing the essence of the essays.

Pls advise if I should keep these as is or find out a way to shorten them further.

My stories are interesting and the reader wouldnt get bored while reading them.

Thank you.
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by Tani » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:12 pm
You should be able to cut more than 10% of your words simply be changing your writing style. For example:


Eliminate unnecessary adjectives: I worked with five different clients - becomes - I worked with five clients. You surely didn't mean you worked with five of the same clients. "Different" is unnecessary.

Eliminate prepositional phrases: "The decision of the Board of Directors..." becomes "the Board's decision..."

Streamline your sentences:

"I was fortunate enough during my high school career to have the opportunity to play for the exceptionally strong and talented state championship lacrosse team fielded by the highly-respected educational institution from which I graduated." 35 words

Becomes: "For four years I played varsity for our championship lacrosse team." 11 words (69% savings)

"My position as head of the Student Activities Board enabled me to work well with many interesting vendors and exposed me to many different representatives of performing artists." - 28 words

Becomes: "As head of the Student Activities Board, I dealt successfully with both vendors and artists representatives." - 16 words (33% savings!)


"Another aspect of the curriculum and XYZ U that I find very attractive relevant to my own interests and goals is that..." Your reader has fallen asleep long before getting to your point. Just say, "XYZ U's outstanding engineering curriculum would prepare me for my desired career."

Take a close look at your own writing and I am sure you will find similar examples. None of these affected the content. In fact, the shorter statements are stronger and more interesting.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
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by ECLS » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:17 am
Thanks Tani.

What can I say...!!!

I used your inputs and brought the word limit down to around 510 words for almost all essays. If I get through any of the schools, I will owe a large part of my success to you.

You have been a virtual mentor all this while.

Thank you so much..!!
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by Tani » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:24 pm
I am happy to help, but no one gets in solely because of a consultant. What we do is help you to tell your story in the best possible way so that you can get into the school you deserve.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
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