Most schools require 1-3 supplemental essays, though some may require more or none at all (see our list of top colleges without supplements). These supplemental essays tend to be
around 250 words
, though some may be just as long as your main essay.
How long should a college essay be?
The Common App essay word count range is 250-650 words. But just how long should your statement be? Admissions Blog advises aiming for
around 500 words
. And former Tufts University admissions officer Becky Leichtling concurs.
How long should a college essay be 2021?
The word count on the essays is
250-650 words
. The application will not accept an essay that is over or under this number. While you don't have to get to 650, aim to be closer to 650 words than 250. Students who are working with International College Counselors will work directly with their counselors on the essay.
How do you write a supplemental college essay?
- Ascertain which of your college choices require supplements. …
- Read the essay prompt carefully. …
- Write about yourself. …
- Do not repeat anything from the rest of your Common App or Coalition App. …
- Do your homework. …
- Recycle your essays the smart way.
What should you not do in a college essay?
- Never rehash your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
- Never write about a “topic”
- Never start with a preamble.
- Never end with a “happily ever after” conclusion.
- Never pontificate.
- Never retreat into your thoughts.
- Never hold back.
- Never give TMI.
Can the college essay be more than 650 words?
Your essay must not be longer than 650 words
, but it can be shorter. Anything over 500 words is fine, as long as your essay is thoughtful and complete. If your essay is running short, add relevant details and descriptions that help the reader get a better glimpse of the situation and your personality.
What is a supplemental essay for college?
Supplemental essays are
a chance for applicants to give more information to an admissions committee to further show why they are a good fit for a school
, Davis says. So prospective students should make sure they aren't repeating something that's already been covered in their main essay.
Do supplemental essays change every year?
Any of those colleges can change prompts yearly
. Or you can look at each college's individual application to see what their supplemental prompts are. …
What is a good topic for a college essay?
- Prompt #1: Share your story.
- Prompt #2: Learning from obstacles.
- Prompt #3: Challenging a belief.
- Prompt #4: Solving a problem.
- Prompt #5: Personal growth.
- Prompt #6: What captivates you?
- Prompt #7: Topic of your choice.
- Describe a person you admire.
Do colleges look at your essays?
Usually one to two admissions officers read an essay.
Some colleges do not look at essays
. Some colleges will choose only to look at your GPA, Course Rigor and SAT/ACT scores. If you GPA and Test Scores are high enough, they may not feel that and essay is necessary.
Can a college essay be too personal?
Writing the
personal essay can be tough
. And students with a very personal story to share can either be at an advantage or a disadvantage. If you aren't sure if your topic is appropriate, it's always a good idea to run it by a trusted adult, or better yet, a college expert.
How do I know if my college essay is good?
- Put the essay away for a day or two. Then read it again. …
- Read your essay out loud. You shouldn't stumble over words or phrases when you read your essay out loud. …
- Ask yourself if your essay says everything you want it to say about you. …
- Pretend you're a college reader.
Is 800 words too much for a college essay?
Some questions on the Common App only want a 200 or 250 word answer, so be sure you stay inside the desired boundary. But, some schools will want a longer essay, though
not more than 800 words
. The submission system won't allow you to submit more that the allowed amount of words. But your mind may play tricks on you.
Is it OK to go over the word limit for college essays?
In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but
not exceeding, the word limit in length
. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get to somewhere between 450-500 words.
How many pages is a 650 word essay?
Answer: 650 words is
1.3 pages single-spaced or 2.6 pages double-spaced
. Documents that typically contain 650 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles. It will take approximately 2 minutes to read 650 words.
How do I know if a college requires a supplemental essay?
Go to a college's specific page within the “My Colleges” tab
. If the college lists a “Writing Supplement” section, there is additional writing. That said, some colleges embed their supplemental essay questions within the data entry of their supplements.
