Where Can I Find Application Instructions Forum

[Law1491]

Hello everybody. I am writing my PS, DS, resume for Fall 2015. Where can I find school specific application instructions: how many pages the PS, DS, resume should be.
Thank you

[cron1834]

Each school has its own admissions page, with instructions. Are you saying you've found schools that don't publish this information, or that you just haven't looked yet?

[Law1491]

Cron,

thank you for the reply. Sorry for my too general question. I am still looking for PS length requirements for Northwestern. I came to conclusion that 2 double-spaced PS will work for most schools, including those that place no limit like NYU, Chicago, UVA and Duke.

Thank you

[cron1834]

Northwestern may not specify length. You're correct: in cases like that, 2 pages of double-spacing is probably appropriate. That's what I did for them. GL.

[Law1491]

For schools that do not specify the length of PS, or say 2-3 pages, up to 4 pages, no limit, should I have an additional 3-page version of a personal statement? Or can I submit a 2-page version to all schools, even to those schools that allow more pages?

Thank you

[bombaysippin]

For schools that do not specify the length of PS, or say 2-3 pages, up to 4 pages, no limit, should I have an additional 3-page version of a personal statement? Or can I submit a 2-page version to all schools, even to those schools that allow more pages?

Thank you

I think you're best off with the standard 2 page ps, unless you got something really really really good to add, even then, it's better to be concise.

The only exception I can think of is berk that would probably want more than just 2

[Law1491]

In what way is Berkeley's "up to 4 pages" PS different from NYU, Duke "no limit" or UNC "up to 4 pages"?

Thank you

[oxie]

In what way is Berkeley's "up to 4 pages" PS different from NYU, Duke "no limit" or UNC "up to 4 pages"?

Thank you

Berkeley has a reputation for being more idiosyncratic in its admissions process and giving more weight to soft factors than most other T14 schools (you can see some evidence of that when you look at graphs on MyLSN -- while NYU and Duke have big swaths of solid green, Berkeley has patches of yellow even around applicants with strong numbers).

I think conventional wisdom is that writing an expanded PS for them can demonstrate interest (since they know most places just want the standard 2-pager) and gives you some space to show why you'd be a particularly good fit there. I basically used the extra space to include a "Why Berkeley" essay, but whether that makes sense for you depends on the topic of your PS.

Don't know about UNC, though.

ETA: Berkeley's dean has also explicitly said applicants should take advantage of the longer page limit for them.

[Law1491]

Thank you, oxie. Very interesting

[Yea All Right]

Can confirm what Oxie said, Dean Tom basically said all that at an in-person event I attended. Good luck OP.