How much should you write for a 500-word-limit secondary essay?

[Kevin0424]

How much should you write for a 500-word-limit secondary essay? Did you tried to reach 500? I feel like I don't have that much to say, given I have written so much in my primary application (I assume I should write something "new"). Thank you for your suggestions.

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[907914]

Write out as much as you can on the application without being exhaustive, then cut out everything that is redundant and then roll back to meet the character limit. That way you convey the maximum amount of info you can while also making each sentence worthwhile.

 

[Catalystik]

How much should you write for a 500-word-limit secondary essay? Did you tried to reach 500? I feel like I don't have that much to say, given I have written so much in my primary application (I assume I should write something "new"). Thank you for your suggestions.

Ideally, you'll include some new information, but keep in mind that adcomms work differently in some places and the same person may not have access to all your essays. So including some rehashed material is fine, so long as you use different vocabulary, etc to freshen it up.

Don't try to reach the limit. Stop when you've said what needs to be said. If you use only a third or a half of the space, that's fine.

 

[907914]

Don't try to reach the limit. Stop when you've said what needs to be said

Odd, I consistently find that I fill the entire space and more. Maybe I am just annoying and want to make people hear my opinions.

 

[Catalystik]

Odd, I consistently find that I fill the entire space and more. Maybe I am just annoying and want to make people hear my opinions.

:sad:

 

[907914]

:sad:

On a serious note, I don’t actively try to fill space - I just have a lot of life experience to speak from and, if asked in an interview, my worst quality is that I tend to use more words than necessary to provide a complex answer to a simple question.

 

[Rachapkis]

The word limit should generally guide the depth of your response. I don't think that your response necessarily needs to bump right up against the word limit. However, you may not be taking full advantage if, for example, you respond with 300 words to a 500-word limit.

 

[deleted976595]

UChicago’s 550 word essays are really killin me right now. I feel like I can definitely describe my contribution to diversity/their mission much more succinctly than a whole page-long essay

 

[907914]

UChicago’s 550 word essays are really killin me right now. I feel like I can definitely describe my contribution to diversity/their mission much more succinctly than a whole page-long essay

I am glad I did WashU before UChicago. The 3000 characters for WashU was easier to fill out and it came out to around 460ish words. Perfect to just copypasta and add a sentence or two.

 

[Tenk]

You should never look at character/word limits as goals or guides. They are merely a means to stop people from being long winded. I’m sure someone could write an epic 200 word response just as I’m sure someone else could write a 500 word verbal garbage dump. Just answer the prompt and if you suddenly find yourself at 500, trim it down. If you don’t, send it. It’s really that simple.

 

[Peter Pan.]

499 words

 

[Jungkookie]

Be as concise as possible, making sure youre hitting the right points, not sounding redundant and of course as long as its under 500 words you're good!