Sending in a Personal Statement that is over word/page limit Forum

[nycparalegal]

Arrogance displayed
The OP is not concise
Adcoms will not like

[hds2388]

Trimming excess wording is a skill. A bloated essay evidences lack of that skill. While your experience is important to you, which I'm sure all personal statement writers can relate to, the ability to concisely express important ideas is something else that law schools are interested in.

but hey, OP, if you don't like the advice you are getting it seems like you've already made your decision. I mean if you aren't going to trim it, you may as well make it longer.

Don't be sarcastic. Everyone knows the length of your PS directly corresponds to intelligence.

[fl0w]

Trimming excess wording is a skill. A bloated essay evidences lack of that skill. While your experience is important to you, which I'm sure all personal statement writers can relate to, the ability to concisely express important ideas is something else that law schools are interested in.

but hey, OP, if you don't like the advice you are getting it seems like you've already made your decision. I mean if you aren't going to trim it, you may as well make it longer.

Trimming excess words
defeats the bloated essay.
Admissions rejoice!

[fl0w]

this thread is going to turn into haiku timez!!!

[chadwick218]

I have reason to believe that I was quite possibly rejected from GW last year because I failed to comply with the 500 word limit despite numbers exceeding both medians.

I failed to notice that there was a word limit until it was too late (I really wasn't paying that close of attention). In a nutshell, word limits are there for a reason. If you can't follow something as simple as a word limit, how in the hell are you going to be able to pay attention to all the rules of law (especially when it comes to filing a claim or complaint on down the road).

Sorry to tell you this but it wasn't because you went over the word limit that you were rejected. I called GW and they told me as long as it's under two pages they are fine if we go over the 500 word limit.

Unless of course they were lying to me.

I suspect you are correct. I also applied on the deadline.

[nycparalegal]

I suspect you are correct. I also applied on the deadline.

Me thinks that is the reason.

[09042014]

Summarize your life in a haiku, then I shall be convinced that you are a good writer.

He's lived real shit, but
can't explain it with few words
therefore, Lincoln's lame

No seasonal reference, auto ding.

[BenJ]

Don't go over the limit. They're not going to count words, but they will be annoyed if it's obvious. Annoyed adcomms are unlikely to be generous.

Also, that's annoying about GWU. I spent a lot of time paring down my PS by half a page specially for a safety scholarship school for nothing.

[FromRussiaWithLove]

I have reason to believe that I was quite possibly rejected from GW last year because I failed to comply with the 500 word limit despite numbers exceeding both medians.

I failed to notice that there was a word limit until it was too late (I really wasn't paying that close of attention). In a nutshell, word limits are there for a reason. If you can't follow something as simple as a word limit, how in the hell are you going to be able to pay attention to all the rules of law (especially when it comes to filing a claim or complaint on down the road).

Sorry to tell you this but it wasn't because you went over the word limit that you were rejected. I called GW and they told me as long as it's under two pages they are fine if we go over the 500 word limit.

Unless of course they were lying to me.

+1

My PS was over the limit for GW. They say keep it to 500, but after talking to admissions they really mean no more than two pages double spaced. I kept it under two pages but had to use 11.5 font. I got in ED with the full ride and the PS was 685.

Edit: I just saw the bit about applying on the deadline. That might definitely do it.

[scjacobs]

do you think messing with margins and font size might also upset the powers that be?? I'm debating sending in a PS that's like, 7 lines over two pages or getting funky to make it work on two. Which is worse do you think?

also, im dying to read that dudes almighty essay regarding top secret information.

[WhatSarahSaid]

do you think messing with margins and font size might also upset the powers that be?? I'm debating sending in a PS that's like, 7 lines over two pages or getting funky to make it work on two. Which is worse do you think?

Just find a way to cut seven lines.

They read thousands of essays in a relatively short amount of time. Anything you do (especially margins/font) is going to be incredibly noticeable and make you look scrubby.

[onthecusp]

The first draft of my PS was 4,833 words. I trimmed it down to 1,700, to 1,400, all the way down to 678. Trust me, everyone prefers my 678 version to my 4,833 version. Personally, I liked the longer version better, but I was ripped an ass for it, and even though I feel less confident about the short version, everyone likes it better.