{"id":15889,"date":"2020-10-31t13:47:11","date_gmt":"2020-10-31t20:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/?p=15889"},"modified":"2021-01-06t15:52:30","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06t23:52:30","slug":"how-to-stick-to-the-word-count-on-college-essays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/college-admissions\/how-to-stick-to-the-word-count-on-college-essays\/","title":{"rendered":"how to stick to the word count on college essays"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/files\/2020\/10\/speaking-blog-headers.png\" alt=\"hand holding pen writing in journal to represent sticking to word count on college essays - image by magoosh\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15892\" srcset=\"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/files\/2020\/10\/speaking-blog-headers.png 1200w, \/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/files\/2020\/10\/speaking-blog-headers-300x150.png 300w, \/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/files\/2020\/10\/speaking-blog-headers-600x300.png 600w, \/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/files\/2020\/10\/speaking-blog-headers-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>you have a lot to think about when writing your college essay: <a href=\"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/college-admissions\/how-to-brainstorm-your-college-essay-topic\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">brainstorming a topic<\/a>, writing it well, and proofreading and editing it until it represents your best work. and of course, you can\u2019t forget about sticking to the word count.<\/p>\n<p>keeping your essay short can be challenging. it\u2019s supposed to showcase your best self, set you apart from other candidates, and give some extra insight into your individuality and personality. and you have to accomplish all of this in a limited amount of space? <\/p>\n<p>don\u2019t worry&mdash;sticking to the word count while writing an excellent college essay is certainly possible. we\u2019ll show you how!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #26b67c\">what is the word count for college essays?<\/h2>\n<p>\nfirst, you might be wondering: what <em>is<\/em> the word count for college essays? the answer varies, but let\u2019s take a look at some general guidelines.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nmost college applicants will end up writing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transizion.com\/common-app-essay-prompts-answer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">common app<\/a> essay. currently, the common app asks you to write an essay ranging from <strong>250-650 words<\/strong>. 650 words is just over one page of single-spaced type. when you fill out the application online, it won\u2019t allow you to submit an essay with less than 250 or more than 650 words. so, sticking to the word count is not optional.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nif you don\u2019t write the common app essay, or if you write additional essays, note that most college essays set word limits around 500-750 words. in the rare case that no word limit is specified, most experts recommend staying under 800 words.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nremember that the person reading your essay has read a <em>lot<\/em> of other essays, so be kind. say what you need to say as concisely as possible. here\u2019s how:\n<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #26b67c\">tips to stick to the word count on college essays<\/h2>\n<h3>1. \u201czoom in\u201d on your topic<\/h3>\n<p>\nthe best college essays focus on a <a href=\"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/college-admissions\/7-college-essay-topics-to-avoid-writing-about\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">specific topic<\/a>. for instance, you might write about a single moment or event that profoundly impacted you, or a small but meaningful aspect of your life.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nwhen you get specific, you\u2019re able to provide details that are unique to you and your experiences, crafting an essay that no one else could write. plus, you narrow the scope of your essay, which helps you stay within the word count.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nthink about it like \u201czooming in\u201d with a camera. maybe you have a broad idea to start with, like family. but you can\u2019t pack all of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences about family into 650 words. if you tried to, your essay would probably feel scattered and unorganized. it wouldn\u2019t give a close, personal look at you or your life.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nthat means you need to zoom in some more. let\u2019s take a closer look. maybe there\u2019s a specific aspect of your family you want to highlight, like the way your family has taught you to speak your mind and stand for your beliefs. this is good, but it\u2019s still pretty broad.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nlet\u2019s zoom in again. get more specific. <em>how<\/em> has your family taught you to speak your mind? is there a particular memory that stands out? now, you decide to write about the spirited debates your family loves to have around the dinner table\u2014and how those debates have shaped you as a person.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nnow, that\u2019s a topic you might be able to thoroughly cover in 650 words. and it\u2019s going to be a lot more reflective, meaningful, and personal than a generic essay about \u201cfamily.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<h3>2. outline first, then write<\/h3>\n<p>\nonce you\u2019ve narrowed the scope of your essay, you\u2019re <em>almost <\/em>ready to write. <strong>one of the most powerful strategies to help you stick to the word count is to create a plan or outline.<\/strong> map out your essay before you start writing. if you have a plan, you\u2019re less likely to ramble, go off on tangents, and ultimately waste words.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nthink about the main purpose of your essay. what do you want the reader (college admissions officers) to know about you when they\u2019re finished? what\u2019s the point you\u2019re trying to make?\n<\/p>\n<p>\nas you plan or outline your essay, create a narrative:\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>what is the beginning, middle, and end of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transizion.com\/best-college-essay-ideas-topics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">story you\u2019re telling<\/a>? <\/li>\n<li>what is your character arc?  <\/li>\n<li>who were you at the beginning? how were you challenged, influenced, or inspired? what did you learn or how did you grow as a result? who are you now?\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\nfocus on including information that accomplishes your main purposes and moves your narrative along. if it\u2019s unrelated to any of your key points, you can probably cut it. and if it\u2019s information that\u2019s found somewhere else in your application, you don\u2019t need to include it in your plan.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nhaving a clear, concise, and focused plan for your essay will help you convey your message without exceeding the word limit.\n<\/p>\n<h3>3. keep the introduction short<\/h3>\n<p>\nthe most important part of your essay is the body. that means your introduction doesn\u2019t need to be extremely long. save your words for the \u201cmeat\u201d of the essay, where you\u2019ll really dig into your narrative.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nan effective introduction is engaging, interesting, and brief. it provides a glimpse or a preview into what you\u2019ll discuss, but not too much. you want to leave the admissions officer wanting to read more.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nin general, an introduction only needs three key parts:\n<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>hook\/grabber (an interesting sentence that immediately engages the reader) <\/li>\n<li>necessary background information (keyword: necessary) <\/li>\n<li>thesis statement or thematic statement (a clear statement summarizing your overall point)\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\nbecause college essays are more creative, you don\u2019t have to follow this pattern exactly. but it gives you an idea of why a solid introduction can be short and sweet. many students make the mistake of including too much unnecessary background in their introduction. try to limit your intro to 4-6 sentences, unless there\u2019s other essential information you <em>must<\/em> include.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nif your intro is longer than six sentences, go back and underline or highlight sentences that are essential to the meaning of your essay. then, review the sentences you didn\u2019t highlight. can you cut them entirely, or at least shorten them? can this piece of info wait until the body of your essay?\n<\/p>\n<h3>4. focus on the important stuff<\/h3>\n<p>\nwe already mentioned that you want to focus on information that advances your narrative and relates to your main point. you also want to devote most of your word count to reflection and introspection.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nwhen an admissions officer reads your essay, they\u2019re most interested in reading your analysis of your life experiences. think about questions like:\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>what did this event mean to you?  <\/li>\n<li>why is it significant?  <\/li>\n<li>how has it shaped your life? <\/li>\n<li>how did you learn or grow from this experience?  <\/li>\n<li>what does the information in this essay convey about you as a person, the way you think, or what you believe in and value?\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\nif you write an essay about a challenge in your life, for example, you want to describe the challenge itself only briefly. the majority of your essay should focus on how you overcame the challenge and what you learned from the experience. it should demonstrate positive qualities that the experience revealed or helped you develop, like resilience, determination, and courage.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nso, if it looks like you\u2019re going to exceed the word count, reread. how many of these sentences are telling your story? how many are <em>reflecting<\/em> on your story? if you have to cut something, cut nonessential storytelling pieces. include specific details that bring your story to life and tell it clearly without taking up too much space.\n<\/p>\n<h3>5. eliminate repetition<\/h3>\n<p>\nhave you included any repetitive words or phrases? do any of your sentences basically mean the same thing? reread your essay for repetition, and cut it.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nhere\u2019s an example:\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<em>it was the hardest decision i had ever made in my life. i wanted to avoid embarrassment, but i also wanted to do what was right. making matters worse, i was torn between my two best friends. i never expected to face such a tough decision.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nthe first and last sentences of the paragraph above basically say, \u201cit was a hard decision.\u201d the writer doesn\u2019t need both of them. <strong>if you can find sentences in your essay that don\u2019t add any new information, then it\u2019s safe to delete them.<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<h3>6. avoid using unnecessary words<\/h3>\n<p>\nsimilarly, sticking to a tight word limit requires you to write concisely. concise writing is succinct and to the point. it avoids unnecessary words and sentences. to write concisely, think of each word as a $100 bill. you want to spend them wisely.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nof course, you don\u2019t want to sound like a robot. writing concisely doesn\u2019t mean that you need to cut interesting details or doses of personality. choose your words deliberately, and avoid words that don\u2019t add meaning, like:\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>actually <\/li>\n<li>really <\/li>\n<li>very <\/li>\n<li>basically <\/li>\n<li>just <\/li>\n<li>totally <\/li>\n<li>completely <\/li>\n<li>absolutely <\/li>\n<li>definitely <\/li>\n<li>probably <\/li>\n<li>maybe <\/li>\n<li>rather <\/li>\n<li>quite <\/li>\n<li>somewhat <\/li>\n<li>somehow\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\nin some circumstances, some of these words might add meaning. but if you\u2019re struggling to stay within the word limit, these words should be some of the first to go. does the sentence make sense without it? if yes, cut it. in using the $100 bill analogy above, where can you save money? what unnecessary expenses could your essay live without?\n<\/p>\n<h4>avoid using unnecessary words: let\u2019s practice!<\/h4>\n<p>\nlet\u2019s look at my first paragraph above:\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<em>similarly, sticking to a tight word limit requires you to write concisely. concise writing is succinct and to the point. it avoids unnecessary words and sentences. to write concisely, think of each word as a $100 bill. you want to spend them wisely.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n<p>\ni\u2019m not trying to stick to a 650-word limit, but what if i was? what could i cut? here are some ideas:\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the word \u201csimilarly\u201d doesn\u2019t add any information. i could just say, \u201csticking to a tight word limit requires you to write concisely.\u201d <\/li>\n<li>in the third sentence, i could delete \u201cto write concisely.\u201d you already know that the topic of this paragraph is concise writing. it would still make sense to say, \u201cthink of each word as a $100 bill.\u201d <\/li>\n<li>in the final sentence, i could say, \u201cspend them wisely\u201d instead of, \u201cyou want to spend them wisely.\u201d deleting those two words doesn\u2019t change the meaning of the sentence. in fact, it makes the sentence clearer and more direct.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\nnow, let\u2019s look at my third paragraph:\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<em>in some circumstances, some of these words might add meaning. but if you\u2019re struggling to stay within the word limit, these words should be some of the first to go. does the sentence make sense without it? if yes, cut it. in using the $100 bill analogy above, where can you save money? what unnecessary expenses could your essay live without?<\/em>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nif i had to cut something, what could i cut? here are some suggestions:\n<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>in the first sentence, i could shorten \u201cin some circumstances\u201d to \u201csometimes.\u201d it means the same thing and saves me two words. <\/li>\n<li>in the second sentence, i could delete \u201csome of,\u201d making the sentence, \u201cbut if you\u2019re struggling to stay within the word limit, these words should be the first to go.\u201d \u201csome of\u201d doesn\u2019t add meaning, and deleting it makes the sentence stronger. plus, i said \u201csome of\u201d in the previous sentence too, so it sounds repetitive. <\/li>\n<li>i could delete \u201cabove\u201d from the question, \u201cin using the $100 bill analogy above, where can you save money?\u201d you probably know the analogy is above. and even if you don\u2019t know, it\u2019s not essential information.  <\/li>\n<li>the final sentence asks, \u201cwhat unnecessary expenses could your essay live without?\u201d i could delete \u201cunnecessary\u201d because it has the same meaning as \u201ccould live without.\u201d\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\nhopefully, this gives you an idea of how to cut unnecessary words from your essay! as a writer, it\u2019s easy to get attached to the words you\u2019ve chosen. but when it comes to word counts, you must be prepared to trim the fat and delete any words that don\u2019t add meaning.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nyou should also shorten sentences and phrases whenever possible. for instance, instead of saying, \u201ci wondered if i had made the right decision,\u201d write, \u201chad i made the right decision?\u201d with the question mark, \u201ci wondered\u201d is implied. shorter sentences save you words, and they\u2019re often clearer, stronger, and more direct.\n<\/p>\n<h3>7. ask for help<\/h3>\n<p>\nif you\u2019ve tried all of these ideas and exercises, but your essay is still too long, ask for help! ask a friend, parent, teacher, or other trusted adult to read the essay.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<em>do they see any sentences, phrases, or words that you can cut? <\/em>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nsometimes, getting an extra pair of eyes on your essay makes a huge difference. an outside perspective is always clearer.\n<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #26b67c\">final thoughts: how to stick to the word count on college essays<\/h2>\n<p>\nyou might have a lot to say in your college essay, but you have to say it within the required word count. use strategies like:\n<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>narrowing down your topic <\/li>\n<li>mapping out your essay beforehand <\/li>\n<li>focusing on information that supports your main point and advances your narrative <\/li>\n<li>cutting repetition <\/li>\n<li>cutting unnecessary words and phrases <\/li>\n<li>shortening sentences whenever possible <\/li>\n<li>asking for a fresh perspective <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\nbelieve it or not, using these strategies will also make your essay more engaging and powerful. not only will you stick to the word count on your college essays, but you\u2019ll also write a clear, concise, and <a href=\"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/college-admissions\/college-admissions-essay-top-tips-for-making-a-statement-colleges-will-remember-in-a-good-way\/\">memorable essay<\/a> for the admissions officers.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/files\/2020\/10\/new-website-header-blue.png\" alt=\"transizion logo\" width=\"155\" height=\"60\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15893\" \/><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>wondering how to stick to the word count on college essays? in this post, we go over how to write a concise and memorable essay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":426,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[24940],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- this site is optimized with the yoast seo premium plugin v21.7 (yoast seo v21.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>how to stick to the word count on college essays - magoosh blog | high school<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"wondering how to stick to the word count on college essays? in this post, we go over how to write a concise and memorable essay.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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