Essay, does character count include spaces?

[franklinthedog]

Anyone,

I know the AMCAS essay allows for 5300 characters. Does that number include spaces? Under word count I get two different character counts, one that includes spaces and one that doesn't. Which one do I use?

Thanks a bunch...

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[Neuronix]

The character count does include spaces. While word wrap is on, if you hit return at all when you enter your essay each return is worth two characters. So, if you put a line between paragraphs, I believe that will cost you 4 characters.

I had 5298 chars when I put my essay in Word, but I had to omit a sentence when I got it into the actual application because I had multiple spaced paragraphs. Keep that in mind when you're writing.

 

[Moskeeto]

yeah seriously, that 2 count for a hard return killed me. It took some work, but I finally got the bastard down to 5298.