word limit of college essays

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page).

Are College Essay Word Limits Hard? For best results, keep your essays within the word range provided. While you don’t have to hit the count exactly, you should aim to stay within a 10% difference of the upper limit—without including fluff or filler.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay. You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely.

When a college provides you with a wide word count range, it’s best to take advantage of the upper word count limit. For example, if a college asks for an essay between 250-500 words, you should aim to craft a response that’s at least 400-450 words.

Here’s a simple answer: most personal statements written for college admissions are somewhere between 450-650 words, with 650 being the maximum word count for the Common App, the most frequently used platform.

College applications require a short personal essay to express your interests and motivations. This generally has a strict word limit. The length and content of essay assignments in college varies depending on the institution, department, course level, and syllabus.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay. You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely.

How to Stick to the Word Limit. Although many colleges give you roughly 10% leeway on the word limit, you should aim for your finished paper to be as close to the suggested word count as possible. If you find yourself writing too much, you can reduce the word count by:

The 2019-20 version of the Common Application has an essay length limit of 650 words and a minimum length of 250 words. This limit has remained unchanged for the past several years. Learn how important this word limit is and how to make the most of your 650 words.

How Long Should a College Essay Be. The length of a college essay typically ranges from 400 to 600 words, sometimes 250 words, depending on the institution's requirements. Adhering to this range allows applicants to convey their ideas effectively without overwhelming the admissions committee.