What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Do college essays have a word limit?

Hey everyone, I'm working on my college essay and I've noticed that it's getting pretty long. Are there any word limits that I should be aware of? Thanks for the help!

11 months ago

Hello! Yes, college essays typically do have word limits. Most colleges use the Common Application, Coalition Application, or their own application systems, and each of these has guidelines for essay length. For instance, the Common App has a word limit of 250-650 words for the main essay.

Other colleges may have supplemental essays, and these word limits may vary between 150-500 words. It's essential to stick within the given limits to show that you can express yourself concisely and follow instructions.

My advice is to double-check the requirements for each school you're applying to, as word limits may vary depending on the institution and prompt. Best of luck with your essay!

11 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.