kbui Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Greetings, I'm currently writing my SoP for the Yale School or Public Health's MPH program, and their word limit is 1500 words. I recently wrote one for Harvard's MPH program, and theirs is only 600 words. So I've spent all this time condensing everything I need to say, and I feel like I have a really high-impact essay. However, after expanding what I wanted to say originally, I have ~800-900 words. Should I write more? I can definitely write until I get arthritis, but I feel like other applicants are going to write a lot and admissions will like that more? Help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loric Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Say what you need to say. Make sure you've well addressed the points and it flows coherently. If you have words left over, so be it. Restraint in these situations will be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphi Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 There's nothing wrong with going under the word limit as long as you have gotten all your points across (and done it well)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver_lining Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 There is nothing wrong with writing less as long as you addressed everything you wanted to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbui Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 Thanks! I'm just kind of apprehensive that admissions will be done reading it and think, "What the hell? Is that it?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loric Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 No, they'll read the long ones and go "ugh.. why did that girl start her SOP with 'ever since I was a child.." and then also say 'when I first read... in my aunt's library..' followed by 'it was at that point in high school I realized my deep passion for..'.. gah! it's a trifecta of suck!" Then they'll see your paper and be quite appreciative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbui Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 No, they'll read the long ones and go "ugh.. why did that girl start her SOP with 'ever since I was a child.." and then also say 'when I first read... in my aunt's library..' followed by 'it was at that point in high school I realized my deep passion for..'.. gah! it's a trifecta of suck!" Then they'll see your paper and be quite appreciative. You're right. I'm just going to keep my ~850 words and send it in. *Furiously deleting "Ever since I was a child... When I first read..." and "I realized my deep passion for..."* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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