UPitt Secondary Word Limit

[oompa loompa]

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250 word limit, but I can cram 300 in. No error msg pops up. Did you guys find the same thing? Think it's all right to just disregard the limit then? I mean, 50 words is like a couple of sentences. I've already cut my essay down from 400+, and I don't think I can edit anymore.

 

[Kimka83]

Hmm, I wish I had known that!! I just submitted mine today, and I had to do some major cutting to get it to 250 words. I'm sure they won't mind a few extra words. 🙂

 

[oompa loompa]

thanks! you responded just as I was about to bump my thread and angrily demand an answer....

 

[unicorn06]

I didn't apply to Pitt, but I wouldn't go above the word limit. Just because they don't have an automatic cutt-off doesn't mean that they won't count your words or notice if you go over. I wouldn't want to risk getting rejected over something silly like not following directions....That's my take on the problem. Good luck.

 

[Risa]

I had a really hard time cutting down my Pitt essay to 250 words, but once I finally did, it was a better written and more concise piece. Look at every phrase in every sentence and ask yourself: is this saying something new? do i need to say this to make my point?

I think erring on the side of fewer words than the max, whenever humanly possible, is a good way to go. These poor guys have a lot of reading to do, and every couple sentences extra is that much more potential boredom for them (no offense to you or your writing, personally 🙂 ). My mentor was on an adcom and he says that short and sweet is key.

Good luck with Pitt... it's a wonderful, wonderful place. I couldn't have been more impressed with it!

 

[oompa loompa]

Hey, finally got it down to 260. I agree that being concise is the best way to go...and honestly, the essay I've written on my ethical dilemma is NOT my best. Lots of small filler words. I know I can describe what happened in a better way, but frankly, I don't have the time or patience for it. I'll look at it a few more times and stop. thanks for all the advice though!

 

[SNR02]

Hmm so I got the secondary and I am submitting it today, but no interview invite pre-secondary. What does this mean? I know people have gotten both a secondary invite and an interview invite on the same day.

Has anyone who has sent in the secondary gotten an interview invite afterwards? Are they basically rejecting me but just want me to fill out a secondary in case of extra spots?

 

[golftrippy]

From what I've heard, few people get the pre-secondary invite...a lot of people have gotten the interview latter (3 weeks or so) and been accepted

 

[amandil]

Hmm so I got the secondary and I am submitting it today, but no interview invite pre-secondary. What does this mean? I know people have gotten both a secondary invite and an interview invite on the same day.

Has anyone who has sent in the secondary gotten an interview invite afterwards? Are they basically rejecting me but just want me to fill out a secondary in case of extra spots?

I completed my 2ary on 10/5 and got an interview invite 10/13.