Essay Word Limits

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Essay Word Limits

by dgh44 » Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:38 am
I have been working on my essays for a couple of schools.

Some of these schools have word limits on their admission essays. My question is "what happens if you go a little over the limit?"

For example, my last essay has a word limit of 300 words. I am at 313. I am afraid of cutting it down more because I do not want to cut good content.

Thanks for the help.

-David
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by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:57 am
Answer: nothing happens. No spontaneous combustion. No lightning from Zeus. You just have a few words over. :)

Three conditions:
1. Try and keep it within +10% over
2. Try and have a reason.
3. Try not to do it on every single essay

Other than that, it's no problem. We've had pleeeenty of clients go over and get in.
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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:54 am
I agree that almost all schools do not mind essays a little over. That said I suggest for clients to cut to the word limit if possible because you never know the odd admissions officer who looks at adherence to the word limits as a test of being able to follow directions.

Good luck,
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:54 am
I advise my clients to shoot for the word limit for essays. Delivering great essays within the parameters is yet another example of how you can separate yourself. That being said, going over by 10-15 words is not a big deal on one or two of the essays. I've had clients do this every year and still be accepted. But some schools do make their word limit restrictions more explicit, so pay attention to these school specific suggestions.

Good Luck!
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
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