WWS Personal Statement -- Word Limit?

[Santino]

Their website states that the WWS personal statement should be approximately 2 to 4 double spaced pages, yet the application itself says 1,000 words. Four double spaced pages is definitely more than 1,000 words, so which is it? Right now mine is about 1,200 words and I am wondering if I need to cut it down further or not given that it is less than 4 pages long. Anyone have insight into this?

[MSW13]

In my opinion, I'd go with what the application says. I'm assuming that the website it giving more general information which may apply to more than one program, hence the 2-4 approximation.  The actual application is what you need to follow and if it says 1000 words stick with that. 

 

Regarding word limit: When I went to an info session for my program, what they said is that you really need to stick to the word limit. They said that it shows them that you can both follow instructions and say what you need to say very succinctly, which are clearly important in grad school.  

 

Edit: I thought that each double-spaced page (12 font) is about 250 words. That would make 4 pgs approx. 1000 words, give or take.

Edited November 30, 2013 by MSW13

[Santino]

Thanks very much. I'm referring to the page specifically for MPA applicants (http://wws.princeton.edu/admissions/mpa/application). I take your point regarding word limit and I imagine it'd be best to stay on the safe side, I just feel like I've already cut a lot out and am struggling with what else to cut, which is why I ask about this seeming discrepency. You'd like if they were sticklers about a 1,000 word limit they'd be consistent about saying so.

 

Mine is 12 pt. Times New Roman and I am at 3 1/2 pages, but about 1,200 words.

Edited November 30, 2013 by s1lent

[fenderpete]

I would recommend submitting as a PDF and staying within the page limit at a reasonable/readable font size without insanely small margins.  Length is apparent if you go ridiculously over while reading, otherwise I think content matters more than +/- 10% word limit.