Tackling the Essay Word Limit: 10 Ways to Condense Your Application Essays with Precision

Navigating the tight word limits of application essays, ranging from the extensive 650-word Common Application essay to more concise 400-word supplemental essays, is a crucial skill for aspiring students. This holds true for undergraduates, master's candidates, and even doctorate-level applicants. Here are ten tailored strategies to ensure your essay remains impactful while adhering to word constraints.

1. It’s Fine to Start with a Robust Draft:

Often, the initial draft may exceed the word limit. For instance, a Ph.D. candidate crafting their statement of purpose might write 800 words initially. That’s okay. Begin by writing freely, then apply these techniques to trim the content.

2. Prioritize Information:

Evaluate what is crucial. For a common app essay about overcoming adversity, is it essential to detail every hurdle, or can you focus on one defining moment? Similarly, in a supplemental essay for an MBA program, prioritize experiences that align closely with your career goals.

3. Streamline by Eliminating Redundancies:

Redundant phrases or ideas can make an essay seem “bloated.” Remove repetitive words and unnecessary qualifiers to create concise, meaningful text.

Example #1: “I have a lot of future plans for the future.”

Edited: “I have a lot of plans for the future,” or “I have a lot of future plans” or “I have a lot of plans.”

Example #2: “She has demonstrated time and time again that she is fully capable and absolutely essential to the project.”

Edited: She consistently proved her indispensability to the project.

Example #3: Redundant phrases or ideas can make an essay seem “bloated.” Remove repetitive words and unnecessary qualifiers. Eliminating repetitiveness refines the text, making it succinct while retaining meaning.

Edited: "Redundant phrases can bloat an essay. Remove unnecessary words to create concise, meaningful text." (Did you notice where this example came from?)

4. Be Concise:

Substitute long-winded expressions with shorter equivalents. A direct approach can save words without sacrificing content.

Example #1: Replace "In the event that" with "if” or "Due to the fact that" with "because."

Example #2: “In order to secure a spot in the program, he ensured that he met all the necessary prerequisites.”

Edited: He ensured he met all prerequisites to secure a program spot.

5. Seamlessly Merge Ideas:

Consolidate related sentences to maintain brevity and reduce word count. Instead of narrating experiences in isolation, weave them together. In a med-school secondary essay about volunteer experiences, instead of detailing each experience separately, combine them to showcase your commitment to service.

Example: I volunteered at a local shelter. I also interned at a clinic. Both experiences deepened my commitment to healthcare.

Edited: Volunteering at a shelter and interning at a clinic deepened my commitment to healthcare.

6. Harness Active Voice:

Active voice uses fewer words, directly conveys action, and reduces sentence length.

Example #1: Replace "The experiment was conducted by me" with "I conducted the experiment".

Example #2: The research was undertaken by the team to explore new avenues.

Edited: The team researched new avenues.

7. Opt for Strong Verbs:

Choose potent verbs to reduce reliance on adverbs. Strong verbs convey more with fewer words, enhancing precision.

Example #1: Instead of "ran quickly," use "sprinted."

Example #2: Instead of “He walked slowly towards the podium,” use “He sauntered towards the podium.

8. Employ Bullet Points Wisely:

In essays requiring lists, like a university’s “Why Us” essay, bullet points can present information neatly and concisely. Use them sparingly and only if the prompt allows.

Example: I developed skills in coding, digital marketing, and graphic design.

Edited:

• Skills Developed:

• Coding

• Digital Marketing

• Graphic Design

9. Seek Feedback:

A fresh pair of eyes, especially from professional editing services, can help identify areas to condense without losing meaning.

10. Edit Ruthlessly:

Be willing to let go of sentences that do not add value to your main point. Ruthless editing ensures only necessary information is retained. If the sentence does not support your thesis, remove it.

Example #1: Imagine a doctorate applicant detailing their leadership journey in a 400-word supplemental essay for a business school. They may describe various experiences, such as leading a research project, managing a startup, and captaining a sports team.

Strategies to condense:

• Merge Ideas: Leading a research project, managing a startup, and captaining a sports team refined my leadership skills.

• Be Concise: Swap "I was responsible for organizing and executing events" with "I organized and executed events."

• Eliminate Redundancies: Avoid repeating "leadership" or "management."

• Active Voice: Change "The team was led to victory by me" to "I led the team to victory."

• Strong Verbs: Opt for "I directed my team decisively" instead of "I gave direction to my team decisively."

• Bullet Points: List skills succinctly:

• Skills: Team Leadership, Event Management, Strategic Planning

Example #2:

Consider an example of a law school applicant writing a personal statement about their passion for advocacy. An initial draft might detail multiple instances of their advocacy efforts, from high school debates to college internships. To trim this essay, the applicant can:

• Prioritize Information: Focus on experiences with the most significant impact.

• Merge Ideas: Combine high school and college advocacy efforts to showcase growth.

• Be Concise: Shorten sentences and use strong verbs.

• Eliminate Redundancies: Remove repetitive instances of advocacy that do not add new insights.

• Seek Feedback: Consult a professional editing service to help refine the essay.

Whether you're a college applicant working on your Common App essay or a Ph.D. candidate drafting your dissertation proposal, brevity can enhance clarity. By following these 10 ways to condense your application essays, such as prioritizing information, eliminating redundancies, and making every word count, you can craft a compelling narrative that fits the word limit while showcasing your journey and aspirations. Remember, seeking professional help from Application Essay Master can provide you with tailored advice and feedback, ensuring your essay is concise, coherent, and compelling.