How long is "Briefly"?

[tbone01772]

When they say "Briefly" in a question like: 

Briefly describe your intended plan of study or the particular subdivision of the major field in which you wish to specialize. Discuss any scholarly research, writing, or similar research that you have done or are currently pursuing. Include other information that may be helpful in evaluating your application.

How long should my response be?

[Eigen]

Enough to succinctly yet fully answer the question. There's no specific target length, because it depends on how much background you have on the area. You don't want to be so long as to be annoying to the committee to read, but you want to be complete. 

Anywhere between 1-2 paragraphs and 1-2 pages, depending on the rest of the application.

[etm122]

Any time that I get the question I try to answer the question as if I was explaining it in person, just enough detail to describe what you did and what you plan to do then hit on your top 3-5 other information bits. Just enough to leave an informed reader without leaving a bored reader. If you read it out loud to yourself or someone and zone out it is too long.