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"500 word essay" for grad school

preslove

preslove

Lifer
So, I wrote a statement of purpose for a masters in Library Science. I want to apply to this one double masters program at Maryland, and I was all set to send in the application material, when I noticed that one of departments has a targeted essay instead of a personal statement. It asks for a 500 word essay answering 4 questions. My statement answers the questions, but is 999 words long. Is this too long? Or is 500 words just a bare minimum? I don't want to ask the department, 'cause it sounds like a stupid question, and departments save those emails.

edit:
I'm thinking of maybe rewriting it as a more targeted essay, but include the longer statement, telling them that "this is what I am sending history department." (It's a dual info science/history program)
 
if they say 500 words, use 500 words.......

if you are REALLY worried about it, email them from a dummy email address
 
I believe you shouldn't include words such as "the, and, or" etc in the word count. At least thats what some of my professors for classes have told me.

As far as for a grad school application, I think it's better to ask the department than to just guess what they mean.
 
I'm thinking of maybe rewriting it as a more targeted essay, but include the longer statement, telling them that "this is what I am sending history department." (It's a dual info science/history program)
 
Originally posted by: TallBill
500 words means 500 words. maybe +/- 25, but thats it.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Cut it back a bit. If they want 500 words for four questions, that means it can be done.
 
My school required a 300-word written statement, but the administrator I spoke to said that was just the minimum. I ended up submitting something around 600 words and I got in.
 
if it asks for 500 words then write around that much. don't have to be exact

Read over your essay and look for excess fat to cut out. In other words get straight to the point.

Since its answers to a question don't repeat the question.

see if any of your sentences are pretty much telling the same thing.

try using active verbs it can help in shortening sentences.

you could give it to someone else to read sometimes it'll help. You may find that 999 words are needed but someone may read and think otherwise.
 
I doubt it's going to kill any chances of getting in, just make sure it's clear and concise. They don't want to read a bunch of filler bs.
 
im guessing a 500 word essay should be around 500 words...

they dont care if you can write better than shakespeare if you cant follow instructions
 
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