word count for common app college essay

Writing requirements by college. This resource provides guidance to students on what writing questions they can expect within individual college questions!

The official word count for the Common App essay is 250 to 650 words. That said, the most effective essays we’ve seen are typically between 500 and 650 words. A 250 to 300-word response is often too short to be effective or revealing, so you’ll want to aim for a higher word count if possible.

It's a common misconception that you need to hit the maximum word count to have an effective Common App essay. Admissions officers prioritize quality over quantity. If you can convey your message, showcase your personality, and answer the prompt effectively in fewer words, that's perfectly fine.

How to Write an Amazing Common App Essay (2024–2025) — Examples Included. Learn how to come up with a unique topic and choose the right Common App Essay prompt to write a strong personal statement and get into your dream college. Plus, a full-length Common App Essay example.

As you draft, remember the Common App essay requirements, including the Common App essay word limit of 650 words. While the Common App essay word limit gives you more space than most supplemental essays, it’s still relatively short.

You want to max the word or character count wherever you see a blank space waiting for you to fill with words — with one notable exception. What Is the Common App Essay Word Count Limit? The Common Application’s Personal Statement has a word limit of 650; you should go up to that limit or risk coming across as noncommittal.

The system will prompt you if you exceed or do not meet the word limit for any given essay question. Some schools have their word count specified in the question, so make sure to read each question carefully. Please note that some short answer essays do not have a min/max word count listed.

This section provides insights and examples for each of the 7 Common App essay prompts for the 2024-2025 cycle. Each of these prompts lends itself to distinct topics and strategies, so selecting the prompt that best aligns with your idea is essential to writing an effective Common App essay.

Absolutely, there is a strict word count for the Common App essays that you should be mindful of—the maximum limit is 650 words, and the application won't allow you to submit an essay that's over that limit.

The ideal word count for your Common App essay is between 500 and 650 words. This word count gives you enough space to write an in-depth essay about your chosen topic. Some colleges will state that you can send them a physical copy if the space in the online application isn’t enough.