Well, I don't know, if you have a 500-word limit and you have say, 550 words, I doubt if they are going to count. It seems like a space issue, as in, 500 words should only take up about a page. But 200 words more might be pushing it?
I really have no idea. Are grad committees really this nuanced?
I would recommend shortening it…follow the set of rules they've defined… they might think you are not listening and simply toss your application. Don't take that chance.
GRE - it takes them a while to post the results to the school, so you are probably cutting it close to the deadline. Check with the school you are applying to and ask them if there is a drop dead date for you to submit the results. Let them know your intentions and when you plan to take the test. They may be willing to make an acception if you run into timeline issues.
found out, 10-15 days after your test, yeah, too close, but i will give the school a call and try to avoid the $40 fee, but I guess it's worth paying...
Regarding statements: the admissions committees don't count words. But if you go over the number of pages that the specified number of words would ordinarily take then they will notice and it can count against you. In a lot of schools' usual procedures the committee members are expected to write just a few sentences about their impression of each applicant, on a form, as the portfolios and other materials circulate amongst them - and it's sad but sometimes the case that these few sentences that sum up the applicant's whole first impression get wasted on critiques of things like portfolios that don't follow the rules or smell like spray-mount, or statements that are too long or short or typo-riddled...
So if you can help it, edit your statement to follow the rules.
As for the GRE issue: this comes up every winter, along with the questions about whether applications will be disqualified if one (or more) of your reviewers don't get their letters in by the deadline.
The answer for most schools (though perhaps not all) is that if you don't get the parts of the application that are supposed to come directly from you - like portfolio, statement, application paperwork and fees - in on time then your folder will most likely be marked as late (often with some color-coded sticker), and some schools reportedly may even decide not to review it.
But: there is usually a little more leeway for the parts of the application that aren't entirely in your control - like transcripts, test scores, and especially rec letters.
Usually the committees don't start reviewing applications until at least a few weeks after the application deadline. During that time clerical staff usually prepares applicants' folders and reviews them for completeness. Most send postcards to alert applicants of missing parts. As long as these parts get there before the committee starts meeting it will not usually be counted against you.
Usually there are about 50 threads around the end of January from people freaking out because their letter-writers are dragging their feet. Don't panic if that happens (same with the late GRE scores.) Even schools that state that they want everything to arrive in one package will cut you some slack on late letters.
One note on this: watch out for this if you are submitting online. Schools that have you copy/paste your statement into a box sometimes install word limits on those boxes. So it's better to work at cutting out the 200 words now than get the last 200 words (some of the most important!) cut for you when submitting electronically.
personal statement over the limit
has anyone ever gone over the limit of words on a personal statement and still got into that school?
I'm currently 200 words over, i think that's a problem...
Well, I don't know, if you have a 500-word limit and you have say, 550 words, I doubt if they are going to count. It seems like a space issue, as in, 500 words should only take up about a page. But 200 words more might be pushing it?
I really have no idea. Are grad committees really this nuanced?
I would recommend shortening it…follow the set of rules they've defined… they might think you are not listening and simply toss your application. Don't take that chance.
good point--I'll try and shorten it, though i still have a conclusion paragraph to go, yikes.
also, does anyone know if i signed up to take my GRE jan 6th for a jan 19th application deadline--is that cutting it way too close?
GRE - it takes them a while to post the results to the school, so you are probably cutting it close to the deadline. Check with the school you are applying to and ask them if there is a drop dead date for you to submit the results. Let them know your intentions and when you plan to take the test. They may be willing to make an acception if you run into timeline issues.
found out, 10-15 days after your test, yeah, too close, but i will give the school a call and try to avoid the $40 fee, but I guess it's worth paying...
go for it kLiu and good luck.
Regarding statements: the admissions committees don't count words. But if you go over the number of pages that the specified number of words would ordinarily take then they will notice and it can count against you. In a lot of schools' usual procedures the committee members are expected to write just a few sentences about their impression of each applicant, on a form, as the portfolios and other materials circulate amongst them - and it's sad but sometimes the case that these few sentences that sum up the applicant's whole first impression get wasted on critiques of things like portfolios that don't follow the rules or smell like spray-mount, or statements that are too long or short or typo-riddled...
So if you can help it, edit your statement to follow the rules.
As for the GRE issue: this comes up every winter, along with the questions about whether applications will be disqualified if one (or more) of your reviewers don't get their letters in by the deadline.
The answer for most schools (though perhaps not all) is that if you don't get the parts of the application that are supposed to come directly from you - like portfolio, statement, application paperwork and fees - in on time then your folder will most likely be marked as late (often with some color-coded sticker), and some schools reportedly may even decide not to review it.
But: there is usually a little more leeway for the parts of the application that aren't entirely in your control - like transcripts, test scores, and especially rec letters.
Usually the committees don't start reviewing applications until at least a few weeks after the application deadline. During that time clerical staff usually prepares applicants' folders and reviews them for completeness. Most send postcards to alert applicants of missing parts. As long as these parts get there before the committee starts meeting it will not usually be counted against you.
Usually there are about 50 threads around the end of January from people freaking out because their letter-writers are dragging their feet. Don't panic if that happens (same with the late GRE scores.) Even schools that state that they want everything to arrive in one package will cut you some slack on late letters.
Bloopox - you have exceeded the 200 word limit on Archinect – you are disqualified. But good advice!
More than once my statement has noted when I went over my limit, and by how much.
One note on this: watch out for this if you are submitting online. Schools that have you copy/paste your statement into a box sometimes install word limits on those boxes. So it's better to work at cutting out the 200 words now than get the last 200 words (some of the most important!) cut for you when submitting electronically.
these are all good advice, thanks!
i'll edit it for ya. i get five bucks per removed word.
Whoa. That's like one thousand Wendy's Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers.
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