Exceeding Word Limit on the Essays

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chaitanya.mehrotra: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 184; Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:57 pmFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:700

by chaitanya.mehrotra » Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:08 pm

Hi ,

I am about to submit my application for INSEAD Rd 2 . However a couple of my essays are around 15-30 words over the word limit ie ( 5% to 13% ) . Is it fine to submit the essays in this manner ?

Thanks

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Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:08 pm

vineeshp: Legendary Member; Posts: 965; Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:52 amFollowed by: 34 members; Thanked: 156 times; GMAT Score:720

by vineeshp » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:17 pm

I've heard that it is best to stick to the given word limit.
( I guess it also shows the adcom your ability to present information in the manner they seek.)

But if you have to really exceed to present your views right, you can go up by a few. But again 5-10 words max. 13% looks too much to me.

Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert.

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arpita@gurome: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 91; Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:05 pmFollowed by: 42 members; Location: Mumbai, India; Thanked: 33 times

by arpita@gurome » Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:37 pm

Exceeding the word limit is not a good idea. For schools that have a "suggested" word limit, you can exceed the word limit by about 10%, but not for other schools. The word limit tests you on how succintly and coherently you can present your ideas.

Arpita Sen
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Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 amFollowed by: 332 members; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times

by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:04 am

Rule of thumb: 10% is okay in most cases. But be selective about it. Only go higher if you need (or if it's just a couple of words), and try to do it for only some of the essays.

But if you are over, don't worry about it. I've have yet to see a strong candidate be turned away because they gave in one essay that was 12% over the limit, rather than 9%.

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Kaneisha Grayson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 213; Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:15 amFollowed by: 31 members; Location: Austin, TX; Thanked: 44 times; GMAT Score:620

by Kaneisha Grayson » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:22 pm

Hello! Jon is right about the 10% rule in that it won't hurt your application if you are already a strong candidate. I'm a perfectionist though, so I never have clients submit essays that are even one word over the word limit. I find that in squeezing those last 20 words out, the essays often get clearer and even better. But yes, going over the word limit a little bit won't hurt you. Sticking to it could help you though.

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