Writing Sample Length - Toronto

[wassermelone]

So the University of Toronto asks for a writing sample of "not more than 5,000 words (15-20pp), inclusive of footnotes and endnotes." I have a writing sample with standard formatting (12 pt., TNR, double-spaced, 1 in. margins) that's 19 pages. I just realized that its about 6500 words, though. Is this okay? It is within the page limit but not the word limit. And in fact, to cut it down to 5000 words, I would actually have to reduce it to under 15 pages. Maybe I just use really short words? Does the page limit trump the word limit? Or will sending in my 19 page, 6500 word sample make people angry?

Edited December 9, 2011 by wassermelone

[litjust]

I think you should check with your program. It seems like the word count is more important since they specified a number, and 1500 words over the limit is a lot. It's not like you have 5005 words. But I could be wrong. I had to excerpt a publication for my writing sample because one of my schools had a 5 page limit. You could consider removing some words and letting them know that it is an excerpt, or that some content has been removed for length.

Edited December 9, 2011 by litjust

[bigjumps]

I had the same problem. My writing sample was within the 15-20 page limit at 18 pages, but over 6,000 words. When I realized this it was too late to change anything, so I submitted it as is...and I just hope it's going to be all right. Surely, since they've actually stated 15-20 pages, they can't be annoyed about this.

...Right?