Comments | applyingtograd: Word limit...do or die?

quistyliz in applyingtograd

Word limit...do or die?

Dec 12, 2007 18:35

Let's say a program asks for a statement of interest, but notes that it cannot be more than 500 words long. Said statement is to be printed out and sent in along with other supplementary materials. As such, would it make a huge difference if this statement were, say, 583 words, instead of the prescribed 500? I still have a couple of days to pare ( Read more... )

statement of goals, word counts, statement of purpose, statement of interest, statement of intent

Comments 12

aslipperylife December 12 2007, 23:52:00 UTC

I'm going to say.... surely they won't, not for 83 words.

Plus, better to be a little over than to be choppy. At least that's what I think.

jessica551155 December 13 2007, 00:38:57 UTC

83 words out of 500 is a lot. 5/6 lines I think, and nearly 1/5 of the paper. So, assuming everybody else followed the word limit, or came close, it will be obvious to them that you didn't. You can be a few words over, since no one is going to count, but you really need to get it closer to 500, I think.

Granted, they might not care, but I feel that they have reasons for picking 500 (even if it's just sadism) and so you should try to get close.

Good luck.

saunders December 13 2007, 00:49:29 UTC

I agree. 83 is too many. Something like 15 words will probably not make or break you, but I would do my best to cut out what you can.

smashtrash December 13 2007, 02:40:53 UTC

Why risk it? I'd say stick to 500 words. I review post-doc applications and I'm told to be extremely fickle (i'm required to note all ways the applicant didn't follow directions).

puf_almighty December 13 2007, 01:55:25 UTC

I don't know either way, but I'd sure make it a point to fulfill whatever dopey arbitrary requirements they may have. I mean especially if there're thousands of letters to go through, the admissions people might be looking for any excuse to drop 'em.

blastulababe December 13 2007, 02:08:43 UTC

Assume 300 words to a page - if it doesn't look much over, they probably won't notice, so it may also depend on the length of the words you use. Sounds nuts, I know, but it's true. Also, it depends on what program you're applying to, because some disciplines care more than others. What program is this for?

amisduvraimonde December 13 2007, 03:02:43 UTC

Call and ask is always a good plan if you're nervous (yay for neurotic applicants!)

I had a "1-2 page" statement school that is one of my top choices, so I really did not want to cut my 3-4 page statement down that far. I e-mailed the admissions office to ask if 3 was okay and they basically replied "whatever."

medved18 December 13 2007, 10:51:00 UTC

When a school says 2-4 pages, what is the word limit? Double-spaced or no? I apologize if it's a dumb question, but I must know.

amisduvraimonde December 13 2007, 15:43:39 UTC

Well in psychology at least double spaced, 1" margins, and 12-point font are pretty standard. That's what I would do for any school that didn't specify.

But the community wisdom is that if you really want to do it differently and the application doesn't specifically say not to it probably won't hurt you.

amisduvraimonde December 13 2007, 15:46:08 UTC

The thing to keep in mind is that they just don't care that much specifically how long it is. They're not going to count the words. Be reasonable. Write concisely. If you're sharing interesting, relevant information, rather than waxing poetic about the importance of scholarship, they'll probably read it.