vcu college essay word count

word count on essays?

<p>what is the word count limit on the personal statement and the scholarship deadline? it doesn’t specify…</p>

<p>personal statement is 250-300 words, and the scholarship essay has to be 1-2 pages long. scholarship deadline is december 1st.</p>

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VCU Career Services

Strategic enrollment management and student success, personal statements.

A personal statement is your opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants. It is often one piece of an application process for graduate school, scholarships, professional school/program and much more. It is the part of an application where you can share who you are and what is important to you, so insert your own style and take advantage of that! Highlight and detail relevant experiences that demonstrate your interest, motivation, and preparation for the opportunity you are applying for. Use your personal statement to provide depth into why you are pursuing a particular academic/career path.

Types of personal statements

• A general, comprehensive essay that allows you to write about a wide variety of topics and experiences related to the prompt . This approach is often used for admission to specific types of professional programs such as medical or law school.
• Responding to very specific questions. Often graduate programs ask specific questions and your essay should respond directly to the question(s) being asked. You may also have multiple essays asking distinct questions. 

About the process

Brainstorming.

Brainstorming is an important part of the writing process and can help in the planning/outlining process. Below is a list of questions you can use to help create an outline, especially for a general statement.

• Why are you interested in your chosen academic/career path? Why not other similar areas?
• What are your short-term and long-term goals? How do they overlap with the opportunity you are applying for?
• What skills or characteristics do you possess that would contribute to your success?
• Why are you applying for this opportunity? (Do some research on it and be specific)
• How have your academic, life, and professional experiences prepared you for this opportunity?
• How have your experiences and choices influenced your decision to pursue your path?

Writing your personal statement

• Identify a theme that is specific to you and tailored to the application. 
• Start with a story to draw the reader in. There is no singular narrative path or style to write your story. 
• Take your experiences and develop them into more detailed anecdotes with reflections.
• Write a rough draft to get your ideas out of your head and into a document. Don’t worry about the length yet. This draft doesn’t have to be ready to submit on the first try. You will have plenty of time to edit and refine.
• Write different versions of specific parts of the essay or the whole essay. Try a variety of ways of telling stories and reflections.
• Revise, rewrite and repeat. Your final draft will never be "perfect," but you should be comfortable and satisfied with the result. 

Personal statement do's 

• Follow any instructions or formatting guidelines that are required.
• If there are no instructions or guidelines, use 10-12 point font, one-inch margins and standard fonts (e.g., Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial).
• Review for grammar and punctuation.
• Avoid using passive voice when writing (e.g., "I was able to volunteer during my spring semester" is passive, and "I volunteered during my spring semester" is active).
• Use first-person throughout the essay, but try not to use "I" too much. 
• Provide specific examples.
• Write a new and different personal statement for each application. Every opportunity will be different and you should tailor your essay to it as much as possible.

Personal statement don’ts

• Don’t use contractions. Personal statements are considered formal writing so you should avoid contractions (e.g., say "I have" instead of "I’ve").
• Don’t have run-on sentences. Break up long sentences and use appropriate punctuation to keep the essay flowing. 
• Don’t include filler/empty words to use characters or fill a page (e.g., sort of, kind of, very, basically, absolutely).
• Don’t include quotes from others unless it is a first-person account of a story (like something your coach or family member told you). It is typically a cliche overall, but especially if you start your essay with it.
• Don’t rely too heavily on overused or vague language such as "lifelong dream" or "passion."
• Don’t vary your verb tenses throughout the essay, especially when telling the same story.
• Don’t use the same essay for different applications. Also do not "recycle" essays. If you are reapplying, you should write a new draft with any appropriate updates. 

Editing tips

• Read your essay out loud. Read it backward (the last sentence first then work your way up the essay). These strategies will help you catch any awkward or clunky sentences. 
• Have more than one person read your essay. You will get different perspectives and types of feedback that you can combine into an essay you are confident submitting. 
• Take your time writing drafts. If you can always set the essay aside for some time and come back to it. 

Elevating your personal statement

• Focus on your opening paragraph. Aim to grab the reader’s attention and pull them into the rest of the essay. Sometimes it can help to write your opening paragraph last. 
• Address and explain any perceived failure, flaws or inconsistencies that you want to make sure are understood more clearly by the reader, sharing your insights to avoid assumptions  (e.g., poor academic performance, legal issues or gaps in education). 
• Do your research. If you are submitting your essay to an individual school/program, do some research to find out what sets the school/program apart from others. Also consider specific faculty, curricular highlights or program offerings that made you want to apply.
• Share unique experiences and reflections the best you can. The more distinct and tailored your experiences and reflections can be, the more personal the essay will be to you as an individual candidate, which should be your goal. 
• Personal Statement Guide
• Writing a Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Worksheet
• Personal Statement Rubric

VCU career advisors are available to answer your questions and review your personal statement. 

Make an appointment

First-year requirements

Review application requirements and materials you must submit in your Common Application to VCU.

Application requirements

To apply to VCU as an incoming first-year student, you must use the Common App .

VCU applications for admissions and scholarship consideration will be reviewed based on academic performance at an accredited high school or on GED scores. The college preparatory curriculum is highly preferred. Extracurricular activities and employment experience may strengthen an application.

Required units

A minimum of 20 units is required for admission to programs on the Monroe Park Campus. Competitive applicants should present a minimum of:

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of mathematics (including algebra I and either geometry or algebra II)
• 3 units of history, social studies or government
• 3 units of science (at least one laboratory)
• 3 units of one foreign language or 2 units of two foreign languages are strongly recommended

Test-optional details

Applicants (including those seeking scholarships) do not need to submit test scores unless applying to the Honors College guaranteed admissions programs. Those students should  contact the Honors College  if they are unable to test. Any applicant who has test scores and would like them to be considered may still submit them.

Application materials

Learn about the materials you'll need to prepare and submit with your application.

Essays are required of all applicants, and must be submitted with the Common Application.

At least one recommendation is preferred for all applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit recommender information before submitting the Common Application. Recommenders will be sent an email on the applicant’s behalf requesting a recommendation.

Optional test score submission

All applicants are eligible for test score optional review, regardless of GPA. Applicants who take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our application review may still submit scores. All students will receive a holistic application review. All first-year applicants will be considered for scholarships — even if test scores are not submitted — as long as other scholarship consideration requirements are met.

Test score exceptions

Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all  Guaranteed Admission Programs  in the  Honors College . 

As always, the university will select applicants who present the strongest qualifications in scholastic achievement and potential, and through a holistic review of other evidence of potential including the strength of character. Each applicant will continue to be reviewed on an individual basis.

First-year applicants are required to submit an up-to-date high school transcript (including senior-year curriculum and grades, if available). GED holders must submit their official GED scores.

Applicants to programs on the MCV Campus must submit official transcripts from each college, university, school and program attended. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language with English translation. Official transcripts must arrive to the Office of Admissions unopened and sealed in their original envelope.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens but are authorized to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis can apply for admission to VCU as degree-seeking, first-year students. In addition to providing all required application materials by the stated deadlines, permanent residents must provide a copy of their green card or other residency document.

Option 1. English Waiver

 Applicants may be exempt from English proficiency tests if they meet any of the following criteria:

Option 2. Examinations and Test Scores (VCU's Testing Code: 5570)

If applicants do not qualify for an English waiver, they can provide test scores from one of the following English proficiency exams . All test scores are valid for two years from the test date. VCU's TOEFL testing code is 5570.

Supplemental materials by department

School of the arts applicants.

In addition to the university Application for Undergraduate Admission, all applicants to the School of the Arts must submit supplemental materials as described on the  School of the Arts website . The school’s application review committee reviews all applications to its programs. For more information, call the school at (804) 828-2787.

College of Engineering applicants

To be competitive for admission to the College of Engineering, first-year applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

First-year applicants to the College of Engineering who are not accepted directly into the school will automatically be considered for the undeclared major in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Learn more about the school’s  first-year admissions . For more information, contact the school at (804) 828-2129 or  [email protected] .

VCU Honors College applicants

To be competitive for admission to the Honors College, first-year applicants should present a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and either a combined SAT score of at least 1330 on the critical reading and math sections of the test or an ACT composite score of at least 29.

In addition to the application for undergraduate admission, all applicants to the VCU Honors College must submit an additional application and meet specific criteria as described on the  VCU Honors College website . For more information contact the school at (804) 828-1803 or  [email protected] .

Guaranteed Admission Programs applicants

The VCU Honors College offers a variety of Guaranteed Admission Programs that allow highly qualified students to enter medical school and several other health sciences programs at VCU without competing via general admission at a later date. Application procedures and requirements vary depending on the program, but all applications are due Nov. 1. For more details, see the VCU Honors College website  or contact the college at (804) 828-1803 or  [email protected] .

First-year links

• Application overview
• Application checklist
• Student profile

Find answers in our  FAQs

Have questions about the application process? Explore our frequently asked questions.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, ideal word count for a college essay.

Hi all! I'm starting to work on my college essays and I was curious about how many words I should be aiming for in my essay. Are there any general guidelines or suggestions? Thanks!

When it comes to college essays, different schools may have different word count requirements, which you can usually find on the school's application instructions or their website. However, the Common Application's personal statement has a word limit of 650. It's a good idea to stay within that limit, ensuring that you fully answer the prompt while still being concise.

As a general guideline, aim to write an essay between 500 to 650 words. An essay that's too short might not provide enough depth, while an excessively long essay can be tough to engage with. It's important to strike a balance, conveying your unique story or perspective in a focused and engaging way. Remember, quality often trumps quantity. Good luck with your essays!

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Word And Charater Limits In College Essays

With every college essay comes a word limit. Some essays are 35 words, others 650 words. Some are 100 characters, others two pages. But for each of these essays, irrespective of the word count, there is one guiding principle that college applicants should follow: stick to the word count — don’t write more, don’t write less.

Essays Are Real Estate for Applicants to Make Their Case

Each essay — no matter its length — offers applicants real estate to make their case for admission. Some schools, of course, offer more real estate than others. For the 2023-2024 college admissions cycle, for example, Harvard University has five 250-word essays . Meanwhile, Brown University has three essays and four short answers: 200-250 words for the three essays, three words for the first short answer, 100 words for two short answers, and 50 words for the final short answer.

Applicants Should Write to the Maximum Word Count in Essays

So, when a school asks applicants to write a 200-250-word essay, how many words should they write? That’s an  easy  one: 250. When a school offers students the chance to write optional essays, should they write them?  You bet ! No  optional  essay in highly selective college admissions should ever be considered optional. Instead, it’s a chance for students to make their case. And applicants should always write to the maximum word count in all college essays .

A Word Count Test

To conclude, we’ve got a test for this year’s applicants. Applicants to Duke University ’s Class of 2028 are required to answer one 250-word essay, and they’re given five optional essay options of which they can write up to two. So, how many essays should this year’s Duke applicants write? You guessed it — three! And how long should each of their essays be? You guessed it again — 250 words! Not more, not less.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with College Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission by submitting the most powerful essays possible, fill out Ivy Coach ’s free consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to outline our college admissions counseling services.

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How Many Words Essay Would Be Enough? (Here’s Expert Advice)

Is anyone struggling to get an answer about how many words essay should be in academics? Well, there is no solid answer to this question because the length can vary according to teachers’ requirements, essay types, and levels of study.

Despite many factors affecting an essay’s word count, we still try to answer how long an essay would be for different educational levels, how many pages an essay covers under different word counts, and lastly, how many paragraphs are in an essay.

Table of Contents

How Many Words Essay At Different Educational Levels

Here are the average word count limits for different academic-level essays.

How Long is an Essay 5th Grade

There is no doubt that elementary school kids write short essays. The exact word count for 5th-grade academic essays is unknown, but they generally range between 150 and 250 or 300 words. A one-paragraph essay format is mostly followed at the 5th-grade academic level, or sometimes it can be around three short paragraphs, but not more than that.

How Long is an Essay in 8th Grade

If you think about how many words essay is in middle school? Simply put, it ranges between 300 and 800 words. Nevertheless, it can be as many as three paragraphs or as many as five paragraphs. Teachers usually assign descriptive, persuasive, or  narrative essay writing  to 8th graders. These essays cover a sufficient depth but can still maintain the reader’s attention.

How Long is an Essay in High School

How many words are in an essay high school? An average high school essay typically ranges from 300 to 1000 words long. High school essays are mostly written with 5 paragraph structure, starting from the introduction, then three body paragraphs and lastly, one paragraph for the conclusion.

How Long is an Essay in College

College is when you have to write different types of essays, ranging from admission essays to lengthy extended essays. Let’s see how many words essay is for different types.

How Many Pages for an Essay: Based on Word Count

The word count requirement is quite understandable, but what if your teacher asks you to write a three-page essay? In that situation, do you know how many words essay would be on each page and what will be the total word count? Don’t worry. The table below will tell you how many pages an essay would be based on different word counts.

Tip:  An academic essay should always be double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″) with 1″ margins on all sides. Academic styles like MLA or APA recommend using clear fonts like Arial or Times New Roman in 12 pt size.

How Many Paragraphs is an Essay: Do the Numbers Vary?

No matter how many paragraphs is an essay, there would be an introduction, a body section and a conclusion at the end. However, high school and college typically have a standard five-paragraph essay, while in middle and elementary schools, it is typically a one or  3 paragraph essay  within 500 words.

That’s just a generic formula, but in reality, the paragraph numbers can vary depending on essay type, length, and instructor requirements. Don’t puzzle around; here is a general distribution.

What To Do If an Essay’s Word Count Limit Exceeds?

If you check your essay word length from the  word counting tool  and it exceeds 10%, it’s good to go. However, if the length exceeds 30, 40 or 50%, you have a problem. Here are some tips to learn how to shorten the word count of your essay.

• Read your essay and remove unnecessary words that don’t impact it, such as “very,” “good,” “the,” etc.
• Search the term “was” with a verb in the essay document and replace it with one past tense word. For example, using the word “gone” instead of “was going” will cut one extra word.
• Also, choose specific verbs instead of verb-adverb combinations. Let’s take an example of the word “Walk slowly.” By replacing it with “ambled,” you cut down one extra word.
• Furthermore, remove anything that doesn’t directly relate to your essay.
• If you didn’t find any information to cut down, take a day off and return with fresh eyes. In this way, you will have a fresh perspective on the essay and be able to remove many things from it.

Keep Your Essay Under Your Word Count With Essay Writing Help

We know how difficult it is to understand how many words essay is acceptable in academics and what to do if the word count exceeds. To avoid such a problematic situation, we have crafted an  AI essay generator  tool for you, which will write an essay according to your command. Add the title and other essay requirements alongside the word count limit and see how your essay will be ready in minutes.

Does the title of an essay count in the word count?

Do the words of the reference list count in an essay, how do teachers and professors check word count on essays in hard form, try our free paper writing service, related blogs.

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