Unlocking the Common App Essay Word Limit 2017: Tips and Tricks for Crafting Impactful Essays

The Common App Essay Word Limit for 2017 is 650 words. Make every word count and showcase your unique voice and experiences.

The Common Application essay is an essential piece of writing that every college-bound student must complete. One crucial aspect of this essay is the word limit, which can often be a source of anxiety for students. The Common App essay word limit 2017 was set at 650 words, giving applicants a reasonable amount of space to express themselves. However, as with any writing assignment, it's not just about hitting a word count. In this article, we will explore the Common App essay word limit 2017 and provide tips on how to make the most of those 650 words.

Firstly, it's important to note that the Common App essay is a chance for you to showcase your personality, experiences, and perspective. With such a limited word count, every sentence needs to count. Your opening paragraph should grab the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. You could begin with a thought-provoking question, a bold statement, or a personal anecdote that sets the scene for your story.

Transitioning from your opening paragraph to the body of your essay can be tricky, but it's crucial to keep the reader engaged. One way to do this is by using transition words such as however, meanwhile, or in addition. These words signal a change in thought or introduce a new idea, keeping the reader interested and invested in your story.

When it comes to the body of your essay, it's essential to focus on quality over quantity. Each paragraph should have a clear purpose and relate back to your overall message. Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points and show, rather than tell, your experiences. Additionally, be sure to use transition words to connect your ideas and create a cohesive narrative.

As you near the end of your essay, you'll want to start wrapping up your ideas and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. This is where your conclusion comes in. Your conclusion should summarize your main points and offer a final thought or reflection on your experiences. You could also end with a call to action, encouraging the reader to take action or think differently about a particular issue.

Overall, the Common App essay word limit 2017 may seem daunting, but it's essential to remember that this essay is an opportunity for you to showcase your unique voice and perspective. Use your opening paragraph to grab the reader's attention, transition between ideas using transition words, and focus on quality over quantity in the body of your essay. By following these tips, you can make the most of those 650 words and leave a lasting impression on college admissions officers.

Introduction

The Common Application essay is a crucial part of the college application process for many students. It is the opportunity for them to showcase their personality, values, and experiences in a way that goes beyond their grades and test scores. However, one of the biggest challenges that students face when writing their Common App essays is staying within the word limit. In 2017, the word limit for the Common App essay was 650 words. In this article, we will discuss why there is a word limit, how to stay within it, and what to do if you go over.

Why there is a word limit

The Common App essay has a word limit for a few reasons. First and foremost, it helps ensure that all applicants are on a level playing field. If there were no word limit, some students might write excessively long essays that take up too much of the admissions officer's time. Additionally, a word limit forces students to be concise and to think carefully about what they want to say. Finally, a word limit helps prevent students from overwhelming the admissions officers with too much information.

How to stay within the word limit

Staying within the Common App essay word limit can be challenging, but it is certainly possible. Here are a few tips for doing so:

1. Start with a plan

Before you begin writing, create an outline or a mind map of what you want to say. This will help you stay focused and avoid rambling.

2. Be selective

Think carefully about what you want to include in your essay. Choose the most important experiences and ideas and leave out anything that doesn't directly contribute to your message.

3. Edit ruthlessly

Once you have written your first draft, go back and cut out any unnecessary words or phrases. Look for places where you can combine sentences or use more concise language.

What to do if you go over the word limit

If you find that your essay is too long, don't panic. There are a few things you can do to bring it back within the word limit:

1. Cut out unnecessary details

Look for places where you have included too much detail or information that doesn't directly contribute to your message. Cut out anything that isn't essential.

2. Use more concise language

Go through your essay and look for places where you can use fewer words without sacrificing meaning. For example, instead of saying due to the fact that, say because.

3. Ask for feedback

Show your essay to a teacher, guidance counselor, or other trusted adult and ask them for feedback. They may be able to help you identify areas where you can cut back.

Conclusion

The Common App essay word limit can be challenging, but it is important for students to stay within it. Doing so helps ensure that all applicants are on a level playing field, forces students to be concise and thoughtful, and prevents them from overwhelming the admissions officers with too much information. By starting with a plan, being selective, and editing ruthlessly, students can create a compelling essay that stays within the word limit. And if they do go over, there are strategies for bringing it back down.

The Common App: An Overview of the Application Process

The Common Application, commonly referred to as the Common App, is an online college application platform used by over 800 colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. The Common App streamlines the application process for students by allowing them to fill out one application and submit it to multiple schools.The Common App includes multiple sections, such as personal information, academic history, extracurricular activities, and standardized test scores. One of the most important sections of the Common App is the essay.

The Importance of the Common App Essay

The Common App essay is a critical component of the college application process. It provides students with an opportunity to showcase their personality, interests, and writing skills to college admissions officers.Admissions officers use the essay to gain insight into who the student is beyond their academic achievements and extracurricular activities. A well-written Common App essay can make a student stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of being accepted to their desired college or university.

Understanding the Common App Essay Prompts

The Common App essay prompts change each year, and for 2017, there are seven prompts to choose from. These prompts are designed to be open-ended, allowing students to write about a variety of topics that are important to them.The seven prompts for the 2017 Common App essay are:1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App Essay Word Limit for 2017

The Common App essay has a word limit of 650 words. This word limit is enforced to ensure that students are able to answer the prompt fully without going overboard.It's important for students to adhere to the word limit, as going over it can result in their application being disqualified. Admissions officers have a lot of applications to read, and they appreciate students who are able to express themselves concisely.

Strategies for Staying Within the Word Limit

Staying within the word limit can be a challenge for some students, but there are strategies they can use to ensure they don't go over. One strategy is to outline the essay before starting to write. This will help students organize their thoughts and ensure they stay on track.Another strategy is to use simple language and avoid using overly complex sentences. Students should also be mindful of the amount of detail they include in their essay. While it's important to provide enough detail to answer the prompt fully, including too much information can make the essay feel cluttered and difficult to read.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Common App Essay

Writing a compelling Common App essay requires students to be creative and thoughtful in their approach. Here are some tips for writing an essay that will stand out:1. Start with a strong hook: The opening sentence of the essay should grab the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading.2. Use vivid language: Descriptive language can help bring the essay to life and make it more engaging for the reader.3. Show, don't tell: Rather than simply stating facts about themselves, students should try to illustrate their qualities through stories and anecdotes.4. Be authentic: Admissions officers appreciate honesty and authenticity in essays, so students should strive to be genuine in their writing.5. Edit and revise: It's important to take the time to edit and revise the essay to ensure it's free of errors and flows well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Common App Essay

There are some common mistakes that students should avoid when writing their Common App essay. These include:1. Using cliches: Cliches are overused phrases that can make the essay feel generic and unoriginal.2. Being too formal: The essay should showcase the student's personality, so they should avoid using overly formal or academic language.3. Focusing on achievements: While it's important to mention achievements, the essay should focus on the student's personality and character traits.4. Forgetting to proofread: Typos and grammatical errors can detract from the essay's message, so it's important to proofread carefully.5. Copying from other sources: Plagiarism is a serious offense and can result in the application being disqualified.

How to Edit and Revise Your Common App Essay

Editing and revising the Common App essay is an important part of the writing process. Here are some tips for editing and revising the essay:1. Take a break: After finishing the first draft, take a break from the essay for a few days. This will allow you to come back to it with fresh eyes.2. Read it out loud: Reading the essay out loud can help identify awkward phrasing and other issues.3. Get feedback: Ask someone else to read the essay and provide feedback. This can help identify areas that need improvement.4. Cut unnecessary words: Remove any words or sentences that don't add value to the essay.5. Check for errors: Proofread the essay carefully for typos, grammatical errors, and other mistakes.

The Role of the Common App Essay in College Admissions

The Common App essay plays a significant role in college admissions. Admissions officers use the essay to gain insight into who the student is beyond their academic achievements and extracurricular activities.A well-written essay can make a student stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of being accepted to their desired college or university. It's important for students to put time and effort into the essay to ensure it accurately reflects who they are.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional to Review Your Common App Essay

Hiring a professional to review the Common App essay can be beneficial for students. A professional editor can provide objective feedback on the essay and help identify areas that need improvement.They can also help ensure the essay is free of errors and flows well. Hiring a professional editor can give students peace of mind knowing their essay is the best it can be before submitting their application.In conclusion, the Common App essay is an important component of the college application process. Students should take the time to understand the essay prompts and put effort into writing a compelling essay that accurately reflects who they are. By following these tips and strategies, students can increase their chances of being accepted to their desired college or university.

Point of View on Common App Essay Word Limit 2017

The Common Application is a widely used college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges with a single application. One of the key components of the Common App is the essay, which provides students the opportunity to showcase their personality, experiences, and writing skills to colleges.

Pros of Common App Essay Word Limit 2017

Clarity: The word limit of 650 words ensures that students are concise and focused in their writing, which makes their essay more engaging and easier to read for college admission officers.
Equality: The word limit gives every student an equal opportunity to present themselves effectively, regardless of their writing ability or experience.
Time Management: The word limit forces students to prioritize their thoughts and ideas and use their time efficiently when writing the essay.
Challenging: The word limit challenges students to be creative and think outside the box to convey their message effectively.

Cons of Common App Essay Word Limit 2017

Restrictive: The word limit can be seen as restrictive, limiting students' ability to fully express their ideas and experiences.
Pressure: The word limit can cause added pressure on students to craft the perfect essay, leading to stress and anxiety.
Lack of Depth: The word limit may not allow students to delve deep into a specific experience or topic, leaving out important details and context.
Uniformity: The word limit may lead to a homogenization of essays, making it harder for students to stand out from the crowd.

Comparison Table of Common App Essay Word Limit

Year	Word Limit
2011-2012	500 words
2012-2013	250-500 words
2013-2014	250-650 words
2014-2015	250-650 words
2015-2016	250-650 words
2016-2017	250-650 words
2017-2018	250-650 words

Overall, the Common App essay word limit has evolved over the years and has its pros and cons. While it may be seen as restrictive and pressurizing, it also challenges students to be creative and convey their message effectively. Ultimately, it is up to the student to make the most of the word limit and present themselves in the best possible light to college admission officers.

Wrapping Up: Common App Essay Word Limit 2017

Thank you for taking the time to read this article on the Common App Essay Word Limit 2017. We hope that we were able to provide you with valuable information and insights into the essay writing process for college applications.

As you may know, the Common App essay is one of the most important parts of your college application. It is a chance for you to showcase your personality, experiences, and goals in a way that sets you apart from other applicants.

In 2017, the Common App essay had a word limit of 650 words. This may seem like a lot, but it is important to use your words wisely. Every sentence should contribute to your overall message and help you stand out to admissions officers.

One of the key things to keep in mind when writing your Common App essay is to be authentic. Admissions officers want to get to know the real you, not a version of yourself that you think will impress them. Use your own voice, tell your own story, and don't be afraid to show vulnerability.

Another important tip is to start early. Don't wait until the last minute to start writing your essay. Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm ideas, draft and revise your essay, and get feedback from others.

When it comes to the actual writing process, there are a few things you can do to make your essay stand out. First, use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of your experiences and emotions. Second, focus on a specific moment or experience that has had a significant impact on your life. And finally, tie everything back to your overall goals and aspirations.

It's also important to remember that the Common App essay is just one part of your application. Admissions officers will also be looking at your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and other factors when making their decision.

So, while it is important to put effort into your essay, don't stress too much about it. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you are true to yourself and present a compelling case for why you should be admitted to your dream school.

In conclusion, we hope that this article has been helpful in providing you with insights and tips on how to approach the Common App essay word limit in 2017. Remember to be authentic, start early, and focus on telling your own unique story. Good luck!