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College Essays

Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides seven "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 145 essay examples with analysis !

Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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Writing a 500 Word Essay: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

By: Author Oliver

Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2023

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Are you looking to improve your English writing skills? One great way to do so is by practicing writing 500 word essays. This type of essay is a popular assignment in academic settings, and it can also be a helpful tool for those looking to improve their writing abilities. In this article, we will explore the basics of the 500 word essay, including its format, structure, and tips for writing a successful essay.

500 Words Essay

Understanding a 500 Word Essay

What is a 500 word essay.

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing that requires the writer to express their perspective on a particular topic or issue in 500 words. It is a concise and straightforward format that allows the writer to present their ideas in a clear and concise manner. This type of essay is commonly assigned to high school and college students as a way to develop their writing skills.

Importance in Academic Writing

The ability to write a 500 word essay is an essential skill for students in high school and college. It helps them to develop critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills. Writing a 500-word essay requires the writer to be concise and to the point, which is an essential skill for academic writing.

In addition, a 500 word essay is an excellent way for students to learn how to structure their ideas and arguments in a logical and coherent manner. It helps them to develop their writing skills, which are essential for success in college and beyond.

Here are some words and phrases that can be useful when writing a 500 word essay:

Example sentence: To write a successful 500-word essay, you must analyze the topic thoroughly and present a well-structured argument.

Planning the 500 Word Essay

Choosing a Topic

The first step in planning your essay is choosing a topic. The topic should be something that interests you and is relevant to the essay type you are writing. Brainstorming is an excellent way to come up with ideas for your topic. Write down all the topics that come to mind, and then narrow them down to the one that you feel most passionate about.

Creating a Thesis Statement

Once you have chosen your topic, the next step is to create a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and specific. Your thesis statement should be included in the introduction paragraph of your essay.

Research and Gathering Facts

After creating your thesis statement, the next step is to research and gather facts to support your arguments. This step is crucial as it provides evidence to back up your claims. You can use various sources such as books, articles, and online resources to gather information. Ensure that the sources you use are credible and reliable.

To help you with your research, here are some words and phrases you can use to find relevant information:

The Structure of a 500 Word Essay

When it comes to writing a 500 word essay, having a clear and well-organized structure is crucial. In this section, we will discuss the three main components of an essay: the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

The Introduction

The introduction is the first part of your essay and it should be attention-grabbing. It should provide a brief overview of the topic you will be discussing and set the tone for the rest of the essay. A good introduction should include a thesis statement, which is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay.

Here are some words and phrases that you can use to start your introduction:

The Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you will provide the main arguments and evidence to support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea and include supporting details. It’s important to use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly. For a 500 word essay, there should be two body paragraphs, whose lengths should be about around 170 – 200 words.

Here are some words and phrases that you can use to start your body paragraphs:

The Conclusion

The conclusion is the final part of your essay and it should summarize the main points you have made in your essay. It should also restate your thesis statement in a new way and provide a final thought on the topic.

Here are some words and phrases that you can use to start your conclusion:

Writing the 500 Word Essay

Writing a 500 word essay can be a daunting task, especially for those who are not confident in their writing skills. However, with the right approach, anyone can write a concise and compelling essay that effectively communicates their arguments and evidence.

Drafting the Essay

The first step in writing a 500 word essay is to draft the essay. This involves brainstorming ideas, outlining the essay, and writing a rough draft. When brainstorming ideas, it is important to focus on a specific topic and come up with a clear thesis statement. Once a thesis statement is established, the essay can be outlined, and the rough draft can be written.

Incorporating Arguments and Evidence

Incorporating arguments and evidence is a crucial part of writing a 500 word essay. To effectively incorporate arguments and evidence, it is important to use clear and concise language and to provide specific examples to support your arguments. When using evidence, it is important to cite your sources properly to avoid plagiarism .

Here are some words that can help you incorporate arguments and evidence:

For example, “The claim that technology has improved our lives is supported by ample evidence, including the fact that we can now communicate with people from all over the world in real-time.”

Maintaining Unity and Coherence

Maintaining unity and coherence is essential in writing a 500 word essay. Unity refers to the overall focus of the essay, while coherence refers to the logical flow of ideas. To maintain unity and coherence, it is important to use transitional words and phrases to connect ideas and to avoid repeating information.

Here are some words that can help you maintain unity and coherence:

For example, “Furthermore, the use of renewable energy sources is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective. Similarly, the implementation of energy-efficient technologies can significantly reduce energy consumption. Consequently, it is essential that we take steps to reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy sources.”

Revision and Proofreading

Revising the essay.

After writing the first draft of your 500 word essay, it is crucial to revise it. Revising the essay means looking at the content, structure, and language to ensure that it meets the requirements of the assignment. Here are some tips for revising your essay:

• Read through your essay and check that it makes sense and flows logically.
• Check that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and supports the main idea of the essay.
• Make sure that your essay has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Check that your language is clear, concise, and free of errors.
• Ensure that you have used reliable sources to support your arguments.

Proofreading for Errors

Once you have revised your essay, it is time to proofread it. Proofreading means checking for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Here are some tips for proofreading your essay:

• Read your essay slowly and carefully, checking for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Use a spell checker to help you catch any spelling errors.
• Check that you have used correct grammar, such as subject-verb agreement and proper use of pronouns.
• Ensure that your punctuation is correct, including commas, periods, and quotation marks.
• Double-check that you have used the correct tense and verb forms throughout your essay.

Remember, revising and proofreading are essential steps in the writing process. By taking the time to revise and proofread your essay, you can ensure that it is clear, concise, and error-free.

Challenges and Solutions When Writing a 500 Word Essay

Common challenges.

Lack of Confidence

One of the most common challenges in essay writing is lack of confidence. If you think you’re not good at writing, you might have trouble starting your paper. You might doubt your capability to complete it as well. To overcome this challenge, try to focus on the task at hand and break it down into smaller, manageable parts. Start with an outline and gradually build up your essay. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you write, the more confident you’ll become.

Time Management

Another common challenge is time management. You might have other assignments to complete, or you might be working a part-time job. To manage your time effectively, create a schedule that includes time for research, writing, and editing. Stick to your schedule and avoid distractions, such as social media or TV. If you’re struggling to manage your time, consider seeking help from a tutor or mentor.

Choosing a topic can also be a challenge. You might be given a specific topic, or you might have to choose your own. To choose a topic, consider your interests and the requirements of the assignment. Brainstorm ideas and narrow down your options until you find a topic that you’re passionate about and that fits the assignment.

Solutions and Tips

Research is key to writing a successful 500-word essay. Start by gathering information on your topic from credible sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Take notes and organize your information into an outline. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your essay is well-researched and informative.

Structure is also important in essay writing. A well-structured essay is easy to read and understand. Start with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and provides background information on your topic. Follow this with body paragraphs that provide evidence and support for your argument. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are crucial to writing a successful 500-word essay. Once you’ve completed your essay, take a break and come back to it later with fresh eyes. Read through it carefully, looking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make sure your essay flows well and that your ideas are clear and concise. Consider asking a friend or family member to read through your essay as well, as they might catch errors that you missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some tips for writing a 500 word essay in English?

Writing a 500 word essay in English can be challenging, but with the right tips, you can make it easier. Here are some tips to help you:

• Plan your essay: Before you start writing, plan your essay by creating an outline. This will help you organize your thoughts and ideas.
• Use simple language: Use simple and clear language to express your ideas. Avoid using complex words and sentences that may be difficult for the reader to understand.
• Write in short paragraphs: Write in short paragraphs to make your essay easier to read. Each paragraph should focus on one idea or point.
• Edit and proofread: After you have finished writing your essay, edit and proofread it to ensure that it is free of errors.

What are some common English language essay topics?

There are many English language essay topics that you can write about. Here are some common ones:

• My favorite hobby
• The importance of education
• The effects of social media on society
• The benefits of exercise
• The impact of technology on our lives

How can I improve my English vocabulary in my essay writing?

Improving your English vocabulary is essential for writing a good essay. Here are some ways to improve your vocabulary:

• Read extensively: Reading extensively will expose you to new words and help you understand how they are used in context.
• Use a dictionary: Use a dictionary to look up new words and their meanings.
• Practice writing: Practice writing essays to improve your vocabulary and writing skills.

What are the benefits of learning English for non-native speakers?

Learning English has many benefits for non-native speakers. Here are some of them:

• Improved communication: Learning English will improve your ability to communicate with people from different countries and cultures.
• Better job prospects: English is the language of business, and many employers require employees to speak English.
• Access to information: English is the language of the internet, and learning English will give you access to a wealth of information online.

What are some strategies for starting a 500 word essay in English?

Starting a 500-word essay in English can be daunting, but with the right strategies, you can make it easier. Here are some strategies to help you:

• Start with a hook: Start your essay with an interesting fact, quote, or anecdote to grab the reader’s attention.
• Create an outline: Creating an outline will help you organize your thoughts and ideas before you start writing.
• Write a strong thesis statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main point or argument of your essay.
• Write the introduction last: Write the introduction last to ensure that it accurately reflects the content of your essay.

Writing a 500-word essay in English can be challenging, but with the right tips, you can make it easier. Here are some tips to help you:

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There are many resources that can help you with writing a 500-word essay. Here are some of them:

• Writing guides: There are many writing guides available online that can help you with writing essays.
• Writing apps: Writing apps like Grammarly and Hemingway can help you improve your writing skills and catch errors.
• Writing tutors: If you need more personalized help, you can hire a writing tutor to work with you one-on-one.

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• Start with a hook: Start your essay with an interesting fact, quote, or anecdote to grab the reader's attention.
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How To Write A Great 500-Word Essay (8 Tips)

So you need to write a 500-word essay?

I’ll show you exactly how to do it. You’ll discover how to write it, how long it is, how to make an impact with it, and how long it takes to finish it. And in the end, I also include some cool samples you’ll find useful. Read on with an open mind, and you’ll quickly improve your essay-writing skills.

“How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” ― E. M. Forster

8 Best tips on how to write a 500-word essay:

• 1. Diligently follow the essay prompt you got from your instructor. Answer it directly, without meandering. If you don’t have a prompt, write about something you know well.
• 2. Before committing words to paper (or screen),  create a quick outline for your essay . Jot down the ideas you want to mention, and think about how will you structure your paper. This will save you tons of time later on. A typical outline is made of an attention-grabbing introduction (where state your thesis), three body paragraphs (where you share one big idea to support your thesis per paragraph), and a conclusion (where you reiterate your thesis and summarize your findings).
• 3. Think about how to make your essay unique. It’s one thing to write about the tried and true. It’s a distinct thing altogether to share a unique perspective on a topic. Take a few minutes and think about how to make it outstanding.
• 4. Make sure you spellcheck and grammar-check everything before submitting your work. If you’re writing on your computer, you can use free software like Grammarly for that.
• 5. Edit, proofread, and revise your work before calling it finished. Ensure clarity of language and improve the vocabulary  you’re using.
• 6. Ask for feedback. Honest, constructive feedback is always welcome and it will make the final version of your essay stand out. Ask your mom, your friend, a fellow writer, or an essay hub review to ensure your work is error-free.
• 7. Leave the essay for a few hours and come back to it with a fresh perspective. When you check it after a while, you’ll detect some mistakes that eluded you before.
• 8. Fill your essay with potent emotions. Essays that pack a strong emotional punch always make a great impression on teachers (or the college admission committee). Don’t be afraid to get personal.

When will you need to write a 500-word essay?

You encounter this type of assignment in high school or college. You’ll also need to send your essay as part of your college application process. Even if you are eyeing getting into postgraduate courses, you need to write an  MBA application essa y too. Another cool thing is that you can get paid for your essay. You can submit it to one of the scholarship-granting institutions and if it’s good enough, you can get as much as $1000 as a grant. It pays to be an excellent writer.

How long is it and what does it look like?

Of course, the  essay is 500 words long . In terms of pages, however, it should take up around one and a half if you’re using double space, and just one page if you’re using single space. The standard font for this type of essay is 12-point Times New Roman. If you go a bit over the expected length (50-80 words), you will be fine. Writing fewer words (450-490) is also usually accepted, but I would be more careful here. So, should you use the single or the double space? It all depends on your assignment and you should ask your teacher about that. But spaces don’t matter. It’s the words that matter. One more thing: Usually you should use the standard one-inch margin when writing on your computer.

How many paragraphs does it have and how is it formatted?

The 500-word essay comprises 5 paragraphs. Neat, eh? That’s a standard format for the vast majority of essays , regardless of their type (for example, argumentative, descriptive, informative, etc.)

The basic format goes like this:

• Introduction (1 paragraph)
• Body (3 paragraphs)
• Conclusion (1 paragraph)

Most of the time you won’t have to worry about the text formatting (font, size, line spacing, alignment) because you’ll  simply write your essay  on a piece of paper in your class. But you may also get a home assignment where you’ll need to adhere to strict formatting rules such as  MLA  or  APA . Before starting your work, make sure you get all the instructions right. Listen up: There are some  positive aspects of writing a 500-word essay . Namely, you won’t have to deal with sources, endnotes, footnotes, citations, or additional research. You simply write from your own experience or support yourself with the notes you took during the class.

“Never say more than is necessary.” ― Richard Brinsley Sheridan

How long does it take to write such an essay?

Honestly, it all depends on  your skill as a writer . The more you practice, the faster you’ll get. On average, writing 500 words on the subject you know about will take 1 to 1,5 hours. But if it’s a more complicated topic you need to research, you’ll need 2-3 hours. Note: One of the major things stopping your progress is writer’s block. But it can be easily overcome by using many  great writing strategies .

How to write it faster?

There are a few things you can do to make faster progress:

• Don’t edit when writing. Just pour everything out of your mind and deal with editing later.
• Learn to typewrite. There’s nothing that’ll help you more if you want to be faster.
• Know your subject inside out.  Write about something you know well . This will decrease the amount of research you’ll have to make.
• Before writing, create a solid outline . Then fill it with meaningful information.
• Write it all in one go. Don’t start and stop multiple times. In time management, this is called single-handling.

The importance of writing the essay on your own

A word of caution: You may ask one of the many essay writing services to get the work done for you or you may try to copy someone else’s essay. But this is a big mistake. Even if they produce something that’ll get you accepted to a college, you’ll forever know that you got in because of someone else’s effort. Don’t make this mistake. Practice your skills, write from your heart, and you get that application right. And if you’re stuck, you can go for something like an essay review  from the Princeton Review. They’ll give you valuable coaching but won’t write the essay for you.

Here’s a free example of a typical five hundred-word essay titled “On Respect”

Why do we even need respect in this world? The word comes from the Latin respects, meaning “regard, looking back”. The act of looking back at another person. But over hundreds of years, the word evolved to describe a feeling of admiration for someone because of their personal qualities, status, or achievements. In the world of egalitarianism and disregard for authority, the word “respect” slowly lost its power. But it shouldn’t be this way. Respect is essential at every level of society and serves an important purpose. The word with such ancient origins is essential in our language. Otherwise, it would have faded away from the dictionaries and rendered itself effete. The act of looking back is more complicated than we might suppose. It has to do with power, position in the dominance hierarchy, self-esteem, and simple courtesy. The fascinating thing is that it’s used in so many contexts. The parents admonish their children to look back at them when they’re speaking. Something is unnerving about the fact your utterances aren’t met with proper attention. This brings us to the psychological factor which plays a role in the act of showing respect. We need others to pay attention to us, and to what we’re saying. If this is not the case, we quickly get annoyed, and the accompanying chaos makes us question our position in the social structure. If the student doesn’t look at the teacher, and if the lover does not gaze into the eyes of their beloved, something is amiss. Then there’s self-respect – doing things according to a high, self-imposed standard. Here we enter the area of ethics. You can also pay respects to somebody. Why would you do that? Because you might need their help at some point, and by showing respect, you imply that you can be counted on. There are amazing examples of how respect is used in society, art, and the streets. Crime organizations and gangs have unwritten rules regarding respect. When the gang leader talks to you, you better pay close attention and heed every word. Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble. This has been beautifully depicted in series such as The Sopranos. Curiously, some individuals may even demand respect if you don’t know them. One rhyme of Eazy-E (the godfather of gangsta rap) goes like this: “Act like you know when I creep real slow”. It means that his stature in the streets is so high, that you should respect him even if you don’t know how he is. There are countless ways in which respect influences our behavior and our thoughts. And so, it’s important to preserve and cherish it. It would be foolish to throw away respect simply as a social construct. Above all, respect is about treating people well. In the words of Einstein – “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”

And here are links to a few other essays of this type

If you want to become more competent at writing, you should check examples of other people’s work. But at the beginning, use them for inspiration, not for plagiarism.

Here are a few other samples:

• 40 Best Essays of All Time  (not exactly 500-word ones, but they’re amazing)
• 10 Examples of Great College Essays (With Links)
• Top 6 Harvard Admissions Essays
• Top 3 Successful MIT Essays
• Top 5 Successful Yale Essays

“The drama of the essay is the way the public  life intersects with my personal  and private life. It’s in that intersection that I find the energy of the essay.” ― Richard Rodriguez

Now it’s your time to write a great 500-word essay

If you’ve gone as far as here, congratulations. After reading this whole article, you’re much better equipped to deal with any essay assignment that may come your way. Just remember, it’s not only about the grade. It’s also about developing your faculties as a clear and critical thinker. This is something that will serve you far beyond the confines of your school and college. Do you have any  other ideas on how to write an essay ?

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Rafal Reyzer

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

Essay Writing Guide

500 Word Essay

A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide

11 min read

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1000 Word Essay - A Simple Guide With Examples

A 500-word essay is a common format assignment that students have to deal with. It is a three-part paper that provides vivid descriptions of an event, object, or phenomenon.

This format of essay writing is very easy if you know the correct techniques to put down your ideas within a specific word limit. 

The best way to write an essay in this format is by using specific words and making your ideas flow well. This essay enables you to learn how to be concise but also poses significant essay writing challenges . 

In this blog, we will learn about 500-word essays in detail and explore everything about this type of essay format with examples. Keep reading!

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

• 1. What is 500 word Essay?
• 2. 500 Words Essay Format 
• 3. How Long is a 500 Word Essay?
• 4. How to Write a 500-word Essay?
• 5. 500 Word Essay Examples
• 6. 500 Word Essay Topics 

What is 500 word Essay?

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing typically assigned in schools and colleges. This type of essay format requires the writer to express their thoughts, ideas, or arguments within a concise word limit.

A 500-word essay usually includes 4 to 6 paragraphs, with each paragraph containing approximately 75 to 200 words. The specific number and length of paragraphs can vary based on the type and structure of the essay.

A 500-word essay can be the easiest and the most difficult one to write, at the same time. It all depends on two things; the Topic and the Writer’s Abilities . Teachers often assign 500-word essay assignments as it can help them quickly assess the student’s critical, analytical, and writing skills. 

500 Words Essay Format 

Here is the format and structure of a well-crafted 500-word essay.

• Introduction (Approximately 50-75 words)
• Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs, Approximately 150-200 words)
• Counterargument (Optional, Approximately 50-75 words)
• Conclusion (Approximately 50-75 words)

Let's take a closer look at how a 500-word essay is set up and what each part does to make the writing strong and clear.

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How Long is a 500 Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is typically one to two pages long, depending on formatting and spacing. For APA style , use a 12-point font for serif (e.g., Times New Roman) and 11-point for sans-serif (e.g., Arial). With double spacing, it will extend to approximately 2 pages, while with single spacing, it usually fits onto 1 page.

How Long Should a 500 Word Essay Take? 

Typically, for an average writer, composing a 500-word essay might take around 1 to 2 hours. However, this estimate can vary significantly based on individual factors such as familiarity with the topic, writing experience, and the need for extensive research or revision.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay? 

A typical 500-word essay generally comprises 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each paragraph contains roughly 75 to 200 words. However, the exact number and length of paragraphs may vary depending on the essay's type and structure.

Word count is important in short essays. So, it’s best to aim for an introduction under 100 words, body paragraphs around 300 words each, and conclude within 100 words.

500-Word Essay vs. 250-Word Essay 

A 500-word essay offers more depth than a 250-word one, allowing for additional detail and evidence. This extra content strengthens arguments or supports viewpoints, making the essay more effective.

500-Word Essay vs. 1000+ Word Essay

A 500-word essay is shorter than a 1000+ word essay. The 500-word one usually fits on one to two pages, while the longer essay can span several pages. With more words, the longer essay allows for a deeper exploration of topics and more detailed arguments. However, both essays require clear organization and effective communication of ideas.

How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is the same as classic essay writing. Here are some steps to keep in mind while writing a 500-word essay. 

• Create an Outline
• Write a Strong Introduction
• Composing The Body Paragraphs
• Write an Impressive Conclusion

Below is a detailed description of each step. 

Step 1: Create An Outline

First, make a clear and detailed essay outline , and do not miss anything at this point. It will serve as a backbone for your entire paper. 

The purpose of this outline is to break down the ideas in a logical and structured manner. 

Step 2: Write A Strong Introduction

The opening paragraph of an essay serves as the reader's initial window into the topic. Grab your reader from the start of this paragraph with an attention-grabbing hook . Make it as interesting and creative as you can so that they don't put down the essay before reading it all!

For writing an essay introduction , you need to introduce your main topic. And give an idea of what the reader may encounter in the rest of the essay. At the end of this paragraph pin your thesis statement . 

For Example: 

Step 3: Composing The Body Paragraphs

The body section of the essay is mostly divided into 3 paragraphs as discussed above in the format section. It is the point where you need to explain the different types of arguments you make in the essay. Support these arguments with relevant examples, facts, or personal interpretations. 

In a 500-word essay, it's best to stick to one main argument with supporting evidence. Longer essays, such as 1000-word essays , can explore multiple arguments as long as they're connected and contribute to a unified thesis.

Step 4: Write an Impressive Conclusion

Conclusion is the last part of the essay where you need to summarise the main argument of the essay. When writing the conclusion of your essay, begin by restating the thesis statement and explaining it with some strong points analyzed in the body section.

Make sure it does not completely iterate the introduction. Focus on providing critical insight into the main subject of discussion.

For Example:

Always proofread your essay for mistakes and inconsistencies. Also, make sure the writing convention checklist is followed, as it will give you a clearer idea of what needs to be improved before submitting! 

If you still need some guidance, here is a video on how to write a 500-word essay!

500 Word Essay Examples

All 500-word essays follow a different style and structure, making it difficult for a student to understand what their instructor expects. In such scenarios, 500-word essay examples can be of great help.

Below you can find some 500-word essay examples on different topics to better understand the various style formats.

500 Word Essay On Honesty

A 500-word essay on honesty is a commonly assigned task to high school and college students. It simply involves writing on how to develop a practice of speaking the truth always.

Here is an example 500-word essay on honesty that you can refer to for your understanding.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500 Word Essay On Integrity

Below, you can find a great 500-word essay on integrity written by one of our expert writers for your help.

500 Word Essay On Leadership

Leadership essay discusses the quality of leading people. Get help from the following leadership essay example and learn how you can write on one of the important aspects of life.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality  

Punctuality is an important trait that everyone should strive to possess. Take help from this punctual example essay and make your writing even more powerful.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

Responsibility is an important value that everyone should possess. It dictates the way we interact with others and how we carry out our daily lives. Take a look at our example of an essay on responsibility to understand what it means to be responsible.

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship  

Writing an essay explaining why you deserve a scholarship can be a challenging experience since students often feel like they’re bragging about themselves. Learn how to write a 500-word essay for scholarship that will make a strong case for your academic excellence with our sample!

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship Pdf

500 Word Essay on Respect 

Respect is a very important concept in today's society. It is an essential component of any successful relationship, both personal and professional. Check out our essay example on  Respect to begin learning more about this topic.

500 Word Essay On Respect

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher 

Writing essays about something you are passionate about is never an easy task. When it comes to writing about why someone wants to be a teacher, you can always get help from some great sample essays.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse 

Nursing is a passion for a lot of people. If you want to write an essay on why you want to be a nurse, you must look at our sample essay.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

500 Word Essay on Global Warming

Global warming is not just an environmental concern but a moral obligation for the well-being of our planet. Write a 500 word essay on global warming with the help of our sample.

Here are some more 500-word essay pdf samples on important topics for your understanding:

500 word essay about myself

500 word essay on corruption

500 word essay on social media

500 word essay on pollution

500 word essay about Islam

500 Word Essay Topics 

Here are some topics that you may find interesting.

• Describe your favorite trip.
• Is it possible to earn on the Internet?
• What are the challenges of people living with disabilities?
• How to avoid problems at college.
• What is honesty?
• Abstract art and its impact on people.
• Causes of racism.
• The best day of your life.
• What is the objective of your life? 
• What do you mean by punctuality? 

If you want to look at more topics, feel free to choose from our interesting list of essay topics .

Wrapping it Up!

Writing essays in a concise 500-word format may seem straightforward, but the process can often be challenging for students. The biggest hurdle? Squeezing in all the essential details while staying within the limit.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to navigate this task, let MyPerfectWords.com handle it for you. 

Our essay writer service is here to transform your academic journey. Whether it's crafting a compelling narrative or refining your arguments, our experts are dedicated to delivering excellence.

Connect now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences is a 500-word essay.

A 500-word essay typically contains around 5 to 10 sentences per paragraph, spread across 4 to 6 paragraphs.

Can a 500-word essay have 4 paragraphs?

Yes, a 500-word essay can have 4 paragraphs, though it's more commonly structured with 5 or 6 paragraphs.

How many references are needed for a 500-word essay?

The number of references needed for a 500-word essay can vary depending on the topic and requirements, but generally, 2 to 4 references are sufficient for supporting arguments and providing evidence.

Does a 500-word essay have to be exactly 500 words?

Yes, that’s because the general rule for any academic essay is to not exceed the given word count by more than 10%. So applying the same rule, your 500 word essay length should ideally not exceed 10%, that is 550 words, so you should try to wrap up your thoughts within that word count or otherwise risk a negative marking by the professor.

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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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Essay Writing Guide

500 Word Essay

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

By: Nova A.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Jan 8, 2019

Are you staring at a blank page, trying to write a 500-word essay? Don't worry, you're not alone! 

Many students face this challenge when tasked with writing a concise yet impactful piece. A 500-word essay is a common task often assigned to high school and college students. 

Writing a 500-word essay can be quite difficult as you have to cover all the important points in a few words. However, this is where you can show all your potential. 

Read on to learn how to write a perfect 500-word essay with this step by step guide. You will also get to read some good example essays to help you out. 

Let’s dive into it!

On this Page

500 Word Essay Definition

A 500-word essay is a short length academic essay. It provides a writer’s perspective on a particular topic. It is usually assigned to high school and college students to teach them necessary essay writing skills.

Every type of essay can follow the 500-word essay format, including:

• Persuasive essay
• Descriptive essay
• Argumentative essay
• Expository essay
• Narrative essay

This means that you can write any type of essay in the 500-word format.

How to Write a 500 Word Essay

A 500-word essay is an opportunity to show and improve your writing skills. Here are the steps you need to follow to write your essay:

Make an Essay Outline

An outline is a roadmap that guides you through the different sections of your essay. It is important to make an outline before you start writing. This ensures a well-structured and coherent piece. 

A 500-word essay is usually composed of five paragraphs. Here’s what you need to create an outline:

• The main topic of the essay
• The central thesis statement
• The main point or topic sentence for each body paragraph
• Supporting points for body paragraphs

This is what your outline will look like:

Write a Good Introduction

An introduction plays an important role in making an impression on the reader’s mind. The readers decide on the basis of the introduction, whether they want to read the rest of the essay or not. 

Here is how you can compose the introduction paragraph:

• It should start with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention immediately.
• Provide a little background information that helps the reader understand the topic
• Conclude the intro with a compelling thesis statement that you will support in the body.

Here is an example:

Compose the Body Paragraphs

The body section is intended to provide a detailed description of the topic. It gives complete information about the essay topic and presents the writer’s point of view in detail. Following are the elements of the body section:.

• Topic sentence

The first sentence of the body paragraph. It presents the main point that will be discussed in the paragraph.

• Supporting evidence

It could be any points or evidence that support your main thesis.

• Transition statement

This statement relates the body paragraph back to the thesis, and also connects it with the subsequent paragraph.

Draft a Compelling Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph summarizes the whole essay and presents the final thoughts on the topic. It is as important as the introduction paragraph. Below are the things you include in the conclusion paragraphs:

• Restate the thesis statement
• Summarize the essay
• Provide final thoughts or a call to action

Want to become a master at writing essays? Check out our essay writing guide to become an excellent writer who can craft all types of essays!

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500 Word Essay Format

Here is how you format a 500 word essay in general:

• A common font style like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
• 1” margins on both sides
• Line spacing: double-spaced
• Alignment: Left 

Remember, these are general guidelines. Always follow the specific page formatting guidelines provided by your instructor. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Writing a 500 Word Essay

Many things come up in your mind when you get to write a 500-word essay. You might want to know the length, outline, time required to write the essay, and many more things.

Below are some common questions that you may ask yourself while writing a short essay.

How Long is a 500 Word Essay?

“How many pages is a 500-word essay?”

An essay length of a 500-word essay is usually 1 to 2 pages. If it is single-spaced, it covers just 1-page. When double-spaced, it covers 2 pages. 

When it comes to spacing, stick to the instructions given by your professor.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay?

The standard 500-word essay template has 5 paragraphs. It has one introduction, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. 

The word count is divided into 5 paragraphs evenly. The introduction and conclusion are 100 words long each. While the body paragraphs need to be 300 words long.

How Long Does it Take to Write a 500 Word Essay?

It would take no more than an hour or two to write a complete 500-word essay. Especially if you have enough information about the topic, you can easily write your essay within an hour. 

What is the difference between 500 words essay vs 250 words essay

The word count of an essay plays a significant role in shaping its structure, content, and depth of analysis. A 500-word essay is a bit more detailed and longer than a 250-word essay. A 250-word essay is composed of three paragraphs maximum. Meanwhile a 500-word essay should contain at least five paragraphs.

What is the difference between 500 words essay vs 1000 words essay

Here is a major difference between 500-word essay and a 1000-word essay: 

With a 500-word essay, you have a limited word count, which necessitates a concise and focused approach. You must carefully select your arguments, provide succinct evidence, and present a coherent analysis. 

On the other hand, a 1000-word essay allows for a more extensive exploration of the topic. It provides the opportunity to delve into multiple subtopics and offer more supporting evidence. 

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500 Word Essay Topics

Below are some interesting topics to help you get started on your essay.

• Should gun ownership be restricted
• My Favorite Place
• Should healthcare be free? 
• The benefits of volunteering in the local community
• Is hunting for food moral? 
• The importance of personal responsibility
• How I spent my summer vacation
• Describe an ideal personality
• What is Climate Change?
• The importance of sports for teenagers

Need more ideas? We’ve got you covered! Check out 100+ amazing essay topics to help you out!

500 Word Essay Example

Now you have a guide for writing a 500-word essay, have a look at the following example to have a more clear understanding.

500 WORD ESSAY ON COVID-19 (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY ON WHY I WANT TO BE A NURSE (PDF)

500 Words Essay on Why I Deserve a Scholarship

500 WORD ESSAY ON PUNCTUALITY (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY ON LEADERSHIP (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY ON HONESTY (PDF)

FREE 500 WORD ESSAY ON RESPONSIBILITY (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY EXAMPLE FOR COLLEGE (PDF)

With the help of this step by step guide and essay examples, you can easily craft a perfect essay. However, if you need more help, you can contact us anytime.

5StarEssays.com is a legitimate paper writing service that you can rely on to do my essay for me . We offer academic writing help for each category, i.e. research paper, scholarship essay, or any type of academic paper.

Place your order now to get unique and original essays at affordable prices. Or if you need quick writing assistance, try out our AI essay writer now!

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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How to Write a 500 Word Essay: Structure, Format, and Tips

Table of contents

• 1 What is a 500 Word Essay?
• 2.1 How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay?
• 2.2 How Many Pages Is A 500-word Essay?
• 3.1 Create An Outline
• 3.2 Write A Strong Introduction
• 3.3 Composing The Body Paragraphs
• 3.4 Write An Impressive Conclusion
• 4 500-Word Essay Examples
• 5 500-Word Essay Topics
• 6 Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

We can say that a 500-word essay length is the best of both worlds. It is longer than a 250-word essay, so you have more space to express yourself, but it is shorter than 1000 words essay, so you don't have to provide tons of details and research. On the other hand, writing 500 words is not as simple or easy as you may believe. You still need to know all about the 500-word essay format, important guidelines, use of proper details, and so much more.

In general, this is an important and even essential piece of writing. Hence you need to know all the basics and even less-known facts in order to produce a paper that will get you the grade you deserve. Add the fact you will probably have to write one on a regular basis, and you can see why this page is just perfect for you. Papers Owl is here to explain all the things you need to know about these papers and also add all the facts you need to incorporate into your next paper.

What is a 500 Word Essay?

It is precise, as the name suggests. This is 500 words essay. As we have mentioned, it is the most appealing type because it can be relatively easy to complete, and it is not too long, so you have to invest countless hours into research and writing. How easy or hard you will write a paper of this kind depends on your abilities and the topic.

As always, choosing the best topic should be the mandatory first step, and you need to choose one that you like. If you are left with the one you don't like, or you find repelling, you can always use " write my essay " help and get the paper delivered to you within hours! This has been one thing many students have been using for a long time, and many more will use it due to obvious reasons.

You can write 500 words essay that you like and not all of the assigned ones. Writing 500 content will depend on many factors. One of the first things to know is that there are several types of these papers . A 500-word essay example can help you understand this issue more.

Depending on the goal of your writing, you may have to write:

• Argumentative 500-word essay
• Critical word paper
• Analytical essay
• Reflective paper
• Narrative words paper

In most cases, you will have to explain a specific idea or a topic that is assigned to you. You have 500 characters to use, but you can go a few words more. It is important to add that you cannot write 1000 words in this case scenario. This is a different type of paper, and it is reserved for a different purpose. We also have 250-word (sort) essays that are much shorter but can be problematic. You usually don't have enough room to cover the topic you want. Hence you are left with generic and not very interesting content.

Teachers love these essays, and they consider them extremely important. The main reason for that is the fact these papers can be written in the class, and a teacher can check your writing capabilities and the details. These contents are essential because they can check your critical thinking, your opinion, and most commonly, how well you have understood a specific topic.

For example, you may have to write a 500 character essay related to the book you had to read for the class. This will depend on numerous factors, but usually, you have to write detailed and focused content. There is no room here to write about countless things and elements. You need to focus on one and stick to it.

How to Format a 500-Word Essay?

One of the main steps and one of the essential pieces of guideline here is to format the paper. The structure is not something you can affect significantly and something you can change at any given moment. Yes, you need to complete five hundred words, but you need to know how to divide these. This is a well-known fact and something a quick essay writer can do with his eyes closed.

Now we will teach you how to do it as well. Pay close attention to details here. There are a lot of simple things that are mandatory, so don't skip them and don't try to be better than the professor. Use your own structure or something similar.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay?

The main thing here is to remember that these papers always have 5 paragraphs. One of them is the introduction, and it goes first. Then you have 3 body paragraphs and the conclusion paragraph . It is also important to divide the word count. The introduction part of an essay must be 100 words. Each paragraph must be 100 characters as well.

Lastly, we can see that conclusion is 100 characters as well. Of course, it doesn't have to be precisely 100 characters! Better said, the range should be between 90 and 110 characters per paragraph. Don't try to add too many sentences, or you will have problems and you won't write a well-structured paper.

How Many Pages Is A 500-word Essay?

In order to format a 500 word essay, you need to pay close attention to the pages as well. If you use single spaces, you will have 1 page of content. If you use double spacing, something that some students prefer, you will have 1.5 pages.

Try to remember that your academic writing should use 12-size font and also Times New Roman or Arial font style. These are the most common, and usually, professors will tell you to use them. Every single time when you are writing 500 words, you will have to use these elements. They are important and even mandatory.

How to Write a 500 Word Essay?

How easy you can complete this assignment will depend on your writing skills. However, you can use this small guide to get the help you need and complete the paper in less time and get 500 characters ideally organized and suitable for your purpose. Examples or better said, samples are very beneficial here and important due to so many reasons. Anyway, here we will reveal how to write a narrative essay like a professional and always be ready to impress the readers. Keep in mind that readers are professors, your colleagues, and many others.

Create An Outline

The first step is actually to start with the outline . The outline is the plan you will use for writing. It has to start with a thesis statement , which is a summary of your idea and the goal. Then, you need to make the plan. Use bullet points to make all of this organized and simple. Any essay example will have this before it was written!

The outline will contain points for the introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Each one will contain several points in which you should explain what you want to say or what you will say in the paper. Once you are done, you can continue to the next step or, better said to the actual writing.

Write A Strong Introduction

Once you have the thesis statement and the outline, you will have to start writing. The introduction is the first thing you will have to write. Always start with the string intro that has the main idea you want to reveal in the paper, and you want to share. This should be the point of view you have and what you want to present.

In addition, this section must be strong, to the point, and should intrigue the reader. You need to reveal just enough so he will want to read the whole paper. You can see the example later on and get a better idea about what you need to do.

Composing The Body Paragraphs

The definition here is simple. Each body paragraph needs to present one idea . Each idea must be accurate, simple, and detailed. You will have to make a clear and simple transition between paragraphs and make a reader want to continue reading. The samples below will help you more. This is also the hardest part of the content.

You can always pay for essay writing if you want to get the content in no time and professionally completed. All your ideas should be backed by the actual facts that must be accurate and detailed as you can imagine. In addition, never present opposite or strange facts in the sections. It will confuse the reader.

Write An Impressive Conclusion

The last thing you will have to do is to complete the conclusion. It must be strong and must reexamine the beginning and tell one point to the readers. In a nutshell, this is a very important section, and it can make a massive difference. You can get a better grade or a lower one if you make a mistake. There are complete guides related to this section only, so you can imagine how important it is. The conclusion should be completely focused on the main idea of your content.

500-Word Essay Examples

Here you can see a sample 500 characters that will help you understand the topic in detail and, at the same time, get the job done in less time and with better accuracy. Each 500 word essay example is written by an expert, so you can be positive that you will learn from the best.

• Roosevelt, The Great Depression, And The Economics Of Recovery
• Globalization in Business
• LGBD Community in the United States
• An Eye for an Eye Makes the Whole World Blind
• “Snow” by Julia Alvarez: Unveiling Symbolism and Resilience

Each one is detailed and has been approved by actual college professors. Many of them are written by college professors, so once again, you can see the appeal. These are ideal for all beginners, students who are not proficient in this task, and who need help.

500-Word Essay Topics

Here are 10 topics that are very common and very appealing. You will probably want to choose one or two. Keep in mind that you should always choose the one you like and you are interested in writing on. Don't try to complete one that you don't like or you don't want to learn about.

This is a simple secret that has a huge role overall.

• Your best journey explained
• Explain honesty
• Explain racism
• Can you make money on the internet?
• Define the main objective of your life
• Can you and how avoid problems while at college?
• Challenges people with disabilities encounter every single day
• What is punctuality?
• Which effect does art has on people?
• Explain the best day in this year that happened to you

Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

Now when you have your sample 500, and you have all the details that you are going to need, we can reveal one section more. Here we will explain the tips you need to use in order to complete this assignment in less time and with better success. Keep your mind focused and try to use all of these tips just so you can expect the best grade. These may sound ordinary or obvious, but they do affect your content and your presentation.

• Have two days to complete the task All native English professional writers know that this process takes time. In general, you will use the first day to draft the whole content. On the second day, you will read it and make needed changes, edit and proofread it. This is mandatory. You will look at the content with fresh eyes, and you can easily see any mistakes or make changes that have a huge effect.
• Get help if possible Seeking assistance to help you with your work is a great way to ensure that your content is accurate and of the highest quality. You can get help from your professor, friend, or even a cheap essay writing service . The goal here is to be aware of any mistakes or get any insights into your content. Knowing the details of your work will make it easier to make changes, and you can get these from other readers. With their help, you can make sure that your work looks better and is of the highest quality.
• Don't worry about the word count Just start and enjoy. Don't worry about the characters or anything like that. You can always make the content longer or shorter if you have to. If you worry about the length, you will be limited, and you can't end up with an excellent copy.
• Proofread several times It is mandatory and the most obvious fact here. All the things you write will have to be proofread, and there is no other way. You can even hire a professional, or you can ask your friend. This is of huge importance.
• Consider who will read your content Try to adjust the content for your reader. Think of what they want to see and want to know. Then, focus on these things most of the time and try to optimize your content as much as you can. The results are amazing, and you can see that all writers have been doing this for ages.

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Is 400-500 words too short for the commonapp essay?

<p>^^ I feel like I need to make it 700 or something for it to be optimal…</p>

<p>Is this a final draft? If so, and you’ve already made sure that every piece of your essay is valuable and to the point, there’s nothing wrong with an essay that falls short of the standard 500-word guideline. But if this is pre-edit, you may find that your ideas can be condensed, in which case you’ll be left with an itty bitty essay indeed.</p>

<p>Wasn’t there something like the 76-word essay that got into Yale?</p>

<p>this is pre-edit.</p>

<p>the common app requires at least 250 words, so I don’t see how 76 words got someone anywhwere, but i think the optimal range is 500-750 words, Longer if it adds to the piece, and shorter if what you have already expresses everything you want to say.</p>

<p>^^ Yah I was wondering how 76 words worked… Ok thank you thewikiman</p>

<p>Off topic: Speaking of short essays, I just read the world’s shortest essay. Prompt: An English creative writing class was asked to write a concise essay containing the following elements: 1. Religion 2. Royalty 3. Sex 4. Mystery</p>

<p>Winner: “My God,” said the Queen, “I’m pregnant. I wonder who the father is.”</p>

<p>^^ hahaha that’s good. very concise indeed.</p>

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How Long Should Your College Essay Be? What Is the Ideal Length?

What’s covered: , personal statement length vs. supplemental essay length, are college essay word limits hard, what if a college essay word count isn’t given, what if you need to submit a graded paper, where to get your essays edited.

Students often spend hours agonizing over the best topics for their college essays. While it’s natural to wonder whether your personal statement is original or compelling enough, there’s one aspect of the process that shouldn’t cause you undue stress—how many words should a college essay be? Fortunately, with a little research, you can uncover the ideal college essay length for all your applications.

Unlike high school assignments, which typically have a strict page requirement, most colleges provide a word limit or word range for their application essays. This practice helps ensure that essays are the same length regardless of font or formatting. A good guideline is that students should strive to get as close as possible to the upper limit of the word range without exceeding it. Keep reading to learn more about best practices for college essay length.

How many words should a college essay be? Personal statements are generally 500-650 words. For example, the Common Application , which can be used to apply to more than 800 colleges, requires an essay ranging from 250-650 words . Similarly, the Coalition Application , which has 150 member schools, features an essay with a recommended length of 500-650 words.

650 words is the most common limit for your personal statement, but some schools may ask students to write more or less. For example, ApplyTexas , a platform used to apply to Texas public universities and other select colleges, requests essays with requirements that vary by school. For example, students applying to UT Austin will need to submit an essay of 500-700 words, along with three short-answer questions of 250-300 words each.

On the other hand, the University of California (UC) application includes a Personal Insight section with eight prompts . Students are asked to respond to any four of these prompts, with each response topping out at 350 words.

Additionally, some schools request a few supplemental essays, which are typically shorter than a personal statement. These questions are designed to gain more information about a student’s interests and abilities, and may include topics like your reasons for wanting to attend their school, your desired major, or your favorite activity.

Most schools require 1-3 supplemental essays, though some may require more or none at all (see our list of top colleges without supplemental essays ). These essays tend to be around 250 words, but some may be just as long as your main essay. For example, Cornell requires applicants to write a second supplemental essay (of 650 words max) that is specific to the program they’re applying to. The exception to this is the Cornell College of Engineering, for which applicants are required to compose two supplemental essays of 250 words max each.

For best results, keep your essays within the word range provided. While you don’t have to hit the count exactly, you should aim to stay within a 10% difference of the upper limit—without including fluff or filler. For example, if the school requests 500 words, try to ensure that your essay is between 450 and 500 words.

For the Common App, try to stay within 550-650 words, even though the given range is 250-650. Any submission shorter than 500 words will make it look as though you simply didn’t care enough to give your best effort. An essay shorter than 500 words won’t be long enough to truly share who you are and what matters to you.

Exceeding the word count isn’t an option—the application portal cuts off anything over the maximum number of allowed words. This is something you want to be particularly careful of if you’re drafting your essay in a Word or Google document and pasting it into the application.

Although most schools provide applicants with a specific word count, some offer more general guidelines. For example, a college may ask for a particular number of pages or paragraphs.

If you aren’t given a word count, try to adhere to the best practices and conventions of writing. Avoid writing especially short or overly long paragraphs—250 words per paragraph is generally a safe upper limit. If you’re asked to write a certain number of pages, single- or double-spaced, stick to a standard font and font size (like 12-point Times New Roman).

In the event that the college doesn’t offer any guidelines at all, aim for an essay length of around 500 words.

While essays are the most commonly requested writing sample, some colleges ask for additional pieces of content. For example, Princeton University requires students to submit a previously graded paper for evaluation .

Princeton offers guidelines that cover length, but if another school requests an old paper and doesn’t offer length requirements, a paper ranging from 3-5 pages should yield the best results. The goal is to select a paper long enough to showcase your writing skills and unique voice, but short enough that the admissions officer doesn’t get bored reading it.

Is your essay effective while staying within the required word count? It’s hard to evaluate your own writing, especially after rereading it numerous times. CollegeVine’s free Peer Essay Review provides an opportunity to have your essay reviewed by a fellow student, for free. Similarly, you can help other students by reviewing their essays—this is a great way to refine your own writing skills.

Expert advice is also available. CollegeVine’s advisors are prepared to help you perfect your personal statement and submit a successful application to your top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas

Writing a 500-word essay may seem like a piece of cake. But don’t get fooled by it! Although a paper of this length is short and takes only one page, its writing process has its pitfalls. And the most complicated aspect is finding a balance between the small size and the depth of argumentation.

A typical 500-word paper can be:

• a traditional 5-paragraph essay
• a college admission essay
• a personal statement
• a book report
• a critical analysis essay, and many other types of written works.

If you need to write one of these, then definitely check out this article. Our simple explanations and inspirational topics will help you craft an exceptional 500-word paper. And make sure to check out our free essay examples for even more ideas!

• 🎓 Personal Statement Examples
• 📜 500-Word Memoir Topics
• ✨ My Values Essay Examples
• ✊🏿 Rosa Parks Essay Topics
• 💬 Narrative Essay Examples

✍️ How to Write a 500-Word Essay

• 😱 Stress Impact on Health Essay Samples
• 🚀 Sample Essays on Accountability
• 💡 Essay Topics on Respect
• 🎯 Example Essays on Career Goals
• 📚 Topics on the Importance of Education
• 🩺 Alzheimer’s Disease Topics
• ❤️ Romeo and Juliet Essay Examples
• 🏫 College Essay Topics

🎓 500-Word Personal Statement Examples

• Personal Statement for a Major in Geography and Planning From my perspective, geography is a prominent professional field that has incredible potential, and I want to contribute to the advancement of this area to improve the lives of societies and organizations.
• Personal Teaching Philosophy Statement: Encouraging Lifelong and Individual Learning Thus, the learners will more easily relate to music, and as a result, necessary prerequisites for active engagement in the studies, and an enthusiasm for the required material, can be expected.
• APRN Program Applicant Personal Statement While studying to be a nurse, I discovered the function of nurse practitioners and felt it was exactly what I was searching for.
• Personal Statement on My Most Effective Learning Style Thus I believe my mode of learning is the best to use when studying. Through the use of this method, I have found learning to be more exciting and captivating.

📜 500-Word Memoir Topics to Write About

• Describe your most exciting adventure.
• Share a story of a volunteer experience that changed your life.
• How you rediscovered your passion for an old hobby.
• Write about a lesson you’ve learned from a unique friendship.
• What life events had the most significant impact on your personality?
• Discuss your experiences in competitive sports.
• Explore and discuss your heritage and cultural roots.
• Write about the situation when you had to step out of your comfort zone.
• Reveal your path to forgiveness and reconciliation.
• What is your favorite childhood memory? Why is it significant?

✨ My Values Essay: 500 Words Examples

• Nursing Values and Responsibilities Some of the legal responsibilities of a nurse include preventing malpractice cases and respecting a patient’s confidentiality. The legal responsibilities of a nurse involve preventing malpractice and respecting a patient’s confidentiality.
• Social Work: Values, Experience, and Educational Goals First of all, I would like to start with the fact that people, as phenomena, have always attracted me, and also aroused a desire to help, if necessary.
• Values in Caring for Dying Patients Therefore, medical professionals’ main task is to provide the most satisfying life for patients and peace of mind for loved ones. In conclusion, the care and treatment of dying patients imply adherence to certain professional […]
• The Importance of Values and Virtues To further illustrate this concept in a more detailed manner, I will refer to a couple of the values I follow, while depicting a situation when I have broken them.
• Businessperson’s Vision, Mission, and Values Statement In addition, I intend to use my skills and knowledge in finance to mitigate the risks that the company is facing.
• Personality and Values in Human Services Practice In order to overcome this problem, I plan to find a colleague who can help me review the plans and assessments of current situations to ensure that I cover all the basic issues.

✊🏿 Rosa Parks Essay: 500 Words Topics

• What were the early years of Rosa Parks and her upbringing?
• Describe Rosa Parks’ involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
• Explore Rosa Parks’ collaboration with Martin Luther King Jr.
• Write about Parks’ later years and continued activism.
• What was Rosa Parks’ personal philosophy?
• The cultural depictions of Rosa Parks in literature, film, and art.
• Analyze Parks’ contribution to the fight for racial equality.
• Study the cultural and historical context of Parks’ actions.
• Discuss the legacy of Rosa Parks’ writings and speeches.
• What is the significance of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama?

💬 Narrative Essay Examples: 500 Words

• Counseling and Social Work Challenges Also, it may be important to try to work with different people and assess the impact that individual differences have on the work results.
• Blog Response: Developing Different Kinds of Narratives I get the news set that makes her keep asking “is this journalism” and feel relaxed as she makes me realize am reading and not in the situation.
• A Horrible Walk in the Wilderness Upon some reflection, Ashley concluded that she should have asked someone to meet her at the bus stop when she arrived at 10 o’clock and guide her to the picnic site.”One would have thought that […]
• Walking Tour: Irving Street in San Francisco The first place, which you can see is the Baskin Robbins store at the corner of the 24th avenue. The fine restaurant is located nearby the intersection of the Irving Street and the 23rd avenue.
• Architectural Design of the Autostadt Roof This is one of the main attributes of this architectural design. It should be kept in mind that this work is located on the territory of Autostadt, the museum of Volkswagen.

Writing 500 words is not much work. If the topic is simple, you can easily finish everything in a couple of hours. However, writing essays on more complex issues is an entirely different process. It is essential to structure everything well and cover the topic fully within the tight word limit. Not sure how to do it? Have a look at the guide below.

500-Word Essay Structure

If you want to write an excellent 500-word essay, then make sure to outline it first. A standard 5-paragraph piece will have the following structure:

• 1 intro paragraph that provides the necessary background and states your thesis
• 3 body paragraph with a detailed presentation of all evidence and arguments
• 1 conclusion paragraph that sums everything up.

Each paragraph should contain about 100 words. Such length is enough to cover almost any topic.

Did you know you can use the power of AI to create an excellent essay plan? Our outline generator can make you a perfect one in no time.

500-Word Essay Introduction

In a 500-word paper, an introduction is usually 50—100 words long, which takes up about 10—20% of the general word count. The size may vary depending on the complexity of the topic.

Here are a few helpful tips on writing a good introduction:

• Start with an arresting hook. It can be a thought-provoking question, a quote, or an intriguing piece of statistics. Need some inspiration? Try our essay hook generator !
• Provide enough background. That’s a tricky part. The context you give should be sufficient for understanding your topic and arguments but not overly detailed.
• Present a well-formulated thesis statement. It’s the most critical part of your intro. To create it quickly and painlessly, you can use our thesis statement generator .
• Remember to use transition sentences. They will make your writing smoother and more logical. We recommend using them in body paragraphs as well.

500-Words Essay Conclusion

The conclusion of a 500-word paper is about the same size as an introduction. It wraps up all you’ve been discussing before and gives a sense of closure to your readers.

Follow these tips to write a striking conclusion:

• Restate your thesis statement. Try paraphrasing your thesis to showcase a fresh understanding you’ve developed throughout your essay.
• Sum up the main points you’ve used to support your opinion. Try to introduce them in a way that clearly shows how they are connected.
• Finish with a memorable final thought. Our closing sentence generator will help you ensure perfect results.

How Many References for 500-Word Essay Should You Include?

The number of references in a 500-word essay may differ depending on the assignment type, academic level, and your instructor’s specific requirements. Generally, an essay includes 8 to 12 citations for every 1000 words. So, if the number is not specified, you can safely use 4—6 references for your 500-word paper. Want to be sure that your citations are correctly formatted? Make them with our AI-based citation generator !

😱 Stress Impact on Health Essay: 500 Words Samples

• Effects of Stress on Human Health There are numerous theories and researches on stress and health, they all agree that stress has an adverse effect on human health; the statement goes “a stressed man is an unhealthy man”.
• The Relationship Between Stress and Health: Article Summary The implications of the study allow for stating that the increased exposure to stress at work leads to worsened health of the stressed individuals.
• Coping with Stress and Physical Health Problems In this regard, Julie, first of all, needs to accept the situation as it is, to appreciate the things and the context that she is no longer able to change.
• Coping with Stress: Stress and Health In terms of physical, emotional, and behavioral signs, Julia is experiencing severe stress, which requires the help of specialists and the introduction of various techniques that contribute to the normalization of all aspects of life.
• Occupational Health: Workplace Stress To avoid noise-related stress, Ruth handles her job with a positive attitude and this makes it easy to enjoy work. In conclusion, work-related stress is a major cause of poor performance by employees due to […]
• Health and Stress in College Students We may believe that stress has only psychological relevance, but the perspective of psychologists is that stress is the physiological and psychological reaction of an individual to a condition that poses a threat calling for […]
• Minority Stress and Health: Societal Issues Due to the peculiarities of the LGBT people’s personal life, they might experience limited support and restricted access to medical services.

🚀 500-Word Essay on Accountability: Examples

• Pursuing Professional Accountability and Just Culture It is suitable to combine the quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate organizational culture since this ensures that the strength of the other adjusts for the shortcomings of one method.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: Privacy and Security Rules Violation Most cases present with the use of malicious malware to access protected data without the consent of the insurers and inappropriate use of that information.
• Social Work Career, Professional Behavior and Accountability I have the desire to fight for human rights and social change, and I want to fight for justice in all corners to make society a better place.
• Civil Society and Political Accountability in Samoa Also, one of the priorities in the political life of Samoa is the attraction of local communities and governments to the state governance system to ensure progress in all aspects of the country’s life.
• Accountability in Healthcare Organizations and Improving the Quality of Service This is true in view of the fact that the clients of a health care organization may not possess the knowledge to judge the technical quality of the healthcare service provided and the clients’ wellbeing […]
• A Critical Reflection of “Accountability in the Shadow of Hierarchy” by Thomas Schillemans The article by Schillemans addresses the emergence of the phenomenon of horizontal accountability in response to the accountability deficit of agencies.
• Wise Judgment: Ethics, Accountability, and Human Conscience The man, now in a state of dilemma, does not know whether to blow the whistle and lose his job or just maintain a blind eye to his manager’s unethical acts.

💡 Topics for a 500-Word Essay on Respect

• The significance of respect for building healthy relationships.
• Is self-respect a necessary condition for a happy life?
• The unseen power of silent respect in non-verbal communication.
• Discuss the importance of respecting and understanding different religious beliefs.
• Write about the role of respect for older people in different cultures.
• Should society show respect to criminals? In what way?
• Explain the importance of politeness and open-mindedness in online communication.
• Why is the ethical treatment of animals important?
• Analyze how disrespect in the workplace affects productivity and motivation.
• Recognition and respect towards indigenous cultures and traditions.

🎯 500-Word Essay on Career Goals Examples

• Family Nurse Practitioner Career Goals As I plan to deal with children, I will be involved with planning the care of children with their parents and treating childhood illnesses.
• Short and Long-Term Goals for Nursing Career For one to fulfill long-term goals, it takes him or her a lot of time while short-term goal is a part of the several steps involved in the long-term goal.
• A Degree in Social Work: Reasons for Seeking, Career Goals and Aspirations I would like to pursue a degree in social work at this because I am in a position to accommodate the strict nature of the study being fresh from school, young and energetic at the […]
• How the DTC Major Supports Your Career Goals Digital technology and culture ensures that the knowledge people have in art is updated depending on the modern technology and everyone for communication to be effective understands the language used.
• Reaching the Career Goals: In Search for a Place Under the Sun Quicksilver Nespresso Fastsing Narrowing the Choice Down to Three Options While the list provided above offers a fairly detailed account of the career options that I can possibly use in order to achieve success in […]
• Career Goals in Educational Technology The University offers the Master of Arts and the doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Technology. One of the spread and reasonable career goal for an applicant is to achieve success in the field of […]

📚 Topics for an Essay on Importance of Education in 500 Words

• Importance of Higher Education Education creates awareness in the minds of individuals, a new sense of responsibility, openness to change and progress, all of which are important factors in the development of a nation.
• The Importance of Education in the Global Society The role and the importance of education in the modern world is a subject of this essay. The elementary and secondary education is obligatory and free in the majority of them.
• Importance of Education to Student-Athletes Education enables student athletes to develop appropriate skills that they require to be independent and to succeed in academics. Although athletics forms a vital part of a student athletes’ life, it is vital to understand […]
• Importance of Sex Education for Teens One of the advantages of cohabitation in modern society is that it eliminates the obligations of marriage while providing sexual and emotional intimacy for couples. One of the disadvantages is that for most couples, cohabitation […]
• Importance of Managing Students in the Education System This would not only benefit the students, but also the teachers who will be able to understand the capacity of the students they are admitting to the institution.

🩺 Alzheimer’s Disease Essay: 500 Words Topics

• Describe early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
• How does Alzheimer’s impact caregivers?
• Explain the importance of overcoming the stigma associated with dementia.
• Alzheimer’s disease and gender differences: prevalence and effects.
• Discuss the common misperceptions of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Is there a connection between Alzheimer’s and one’s lifestyle?
• Study the role of music and art therapy in treating Alzheimer’s patients.
• Write about the significance of inclusive clinical research of dementia.
• Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of physical activity.
• Explore non-pharmacological interventions for Alzheimer’s patients.

❤️ Romeo and Juliet Essay: 500 Words Example Texts

• Analysis of the Play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Another interesting scene of the production that makes it real understanding of the authors work is the casting of the romantic love between Romeo and Juliet, the physical love of the nurse and the contractual […]
• Analysis of “Romeo and Juliet” Directed by Simon Godwin The actors played in the theater without an audience, and the shooting itself took two and a half weeks, but also due to the director’s attempt to combine the action on the theater stage and […]
• “Analysis of Causes of Tragic Fate in Romeo and Juliet Based on Shakespeare’s View of Fate” by Jie Li The article is easy to read and makes a compelling case for the reasons that precipitated the tragedy in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
• Romeo and Juliet: Analysis of Play Being a tragedy, the story narrates the challenges two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, go through due to the enmity between their respective families. For example, the story of Juliet and Romeo presents a romantic and […]
• Nurse and Friar Laurence in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” The way Friar Laurence supported Romeo and Juliet to get Married, The way the Nurse is opposing in her regards of Romeo and Paris, When Friar Laurence clandestinely married them, the way the Nurse is […]

🏫 500-Word College Essay Topics

• Describe a book or movie that made a profound impact on you.
• What academic achievement influenced your career choice?
• Share the life lesson you’ve learned from a memorable mistake.
• Write about the impact of a mentor on your academic or personal growth.
• Describe a life-changing act of kindness.
• How did participation in a community service project influence you?
• Tell about a project or initiative you’ve started and its impact.
• Talk about the time when you stood up for your beliefs.
• What is your vision of a better world? How do you plan to contribute?
• How did you discover your passion for a particular field of study?

📌 500 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 500 word essay is how many pages.

How many pages is 500 words of academic text? According to the guidelines of all the key citation styles, one page should contain approximately 250 words (12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced). If you follow these guidelines, your 500-word essay will be 2 pages. If you make it single-spaced, it will take one page.

📌 How Much Is 500 Words in Paragraphs?

How many paragraphs is a 500-word essay? Since a typical paragraph in academic writing contains 50-100 words, an essay of 500 words will consist of 5 to 7 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 500 Words?

How many sentences is a 500-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 500 words are not less than 25-28 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay outline usually follows a standard five-paragraph structure. Start your paper with a short introduction that includes an attention-grabber, some background information, and a thesis. Then add three body paragraphs that focus on your arguments. Finish your 500-word paper with a conclusion that contains a restated thesis and a summary of your ideas.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 500 Words?

How long does it take to write a 500-word essay? It will take you 10-20 minutes to type 500 words on your keyboard (the total time will depend on your typing speed). Writing an academic paper will take more time because you’ll have to research, make an outline, write, format, and edit your text. It would be best if you planned to spend not less than 1 hour and 40 minutes for a 500-word paper.

📌 How Many Body Paragraphs Are in a 500 Word Essay?

A typical 500 words essay consists of 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each of the paragraphs should contain 75-150 words.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 23). 500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas. https://ivypanda.com/essays/words/500-words-essay-examples/

"500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas." IvyPanda , 23 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/words/500-words-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas'. 23 November.

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How To Write An Essay

500 Word Essay

All You Need to Know About a 500-word Essay

16 min read

Published on: Mar 10, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024

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A 500-word essay is a very interesting type of essay writing. Like other academic writing assignments, this type of essay writing is quite often assigned to students at different academic levels.

A 500-word essay tends to polish the writing and analytical skills of a writer. It is not a very extensive composition, but still, it is meaningful and equally important. 

This type of essay writing is interesting and very easy to write. You have to be on point, which means that you do not have to do a lot of research and stay focused on your point of view.

A 500-word essay format is one of the easiest formats to follow for essay writing.

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What is a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is basically an essay with three sections that give clear depictions of an occasion or any item. This type of essay is a common article design that can be followed for composing any sort of exposition, for example, a descriptive essay, an argumentative essay, and so forth.

A 500-word essay is mostly doled out at secondary schools and universities. Almost every other student faces it multiple times throughout academic life. It doesn't have any broad heading, so you can show all your latent capacity by not relying on the subject and theme.

How to Format a 500-Word Essay?

The format of a 500-word essay is very simple and very similar to other types of essay formats. The only thing that makes it different is the essay length.

As the word count for this type of essay is less, thus the length of the paragraphs is also small, and the word count ranges from 75-125 words.

Each paragraph has 3-5 sentences. These sentences must be well-written so that despite being short in length, the sentence can explain its purpose.

Here is a standard format of a 500-word essay that has the following components with examples of each component.

The introduction is responsible for keeping the reader engaged. It provides a brief overview of the overall essay and contains the thesis statement for the essay topic.

It provides background information about your essay’s topic and mentions why you chose this topic in particular.

Also, there is a hook statement in the introduction paragraph. This is a statement that usually is a verse or a famous quotation. It is used as an opening sentence for the essay.

For Example 

After the introduction, the body of the essay starts. The body paragraphs make the body of an essay. For a 500-word essay, particularly, there are usually 4-6 paragraphs.

Each paragraph discusses a key element and provides the required evidence to give it a logical sense.

Like the body paragraph of any other essay, the paragraphs of the 500-word essay start with a topic sentence. This sentence acts as an introduction to the paragraph.

Each paragraph should end with a transition sentence to show a connection with the upcoming part.

Make sure that such a body paragraph is meaningful yet in a comprehensive form.

Here is a sample body paragraph to help you craft a winning 500-word essay

A conclusion paragraph is the extract of the whole essay. The writing skills of a writer are judged by the way they conclude an essay.

Writing the conclusion is the most complicated part of essay writing. To write a good conclusion, the writer must logically summarize all the key elements and reiterate the thesis statement.

Whatever is mentioned in the conclusion should give the reader a sense of closure and completion.

Let's continue with the cell phone example for a better understanding of the conclusion phase.

500 Word Vs. 250 Word Essay

500-word scholarship essays provide you with a significantly greater degree of writing freedom than 250-word ones. When you're given fewer words, it can be tricky to express your views in concise and effective phrases without sacrificing clarity.

With 500 words at hand though, you have ample space to make sure that all the facets of your opinion are expressed - yet don't need footnotes and cited resources as often!

500 Word Essay Vs. 1000 Word Essay

The length of a 500-word essay and a 1000-word essay is quite different. 

While a 500-word essay may not require much outside research or citations, it still requires more focus and organization than a 1000-word essay. 

A 1000-word essay requires far more time and effort to write than a 500-word essay. Plus, it requires you to be more thorough in your research, analysis, and composition. It will also require you to use a greater degree of critical thinking skills when making arguments.

Additionally, a 1000-word essay may call for the use of outside sources to support points or draw conclusions. Thus, writing a 1000-word essay can be a much more challenging task than writing a 500-word essay. 

How Long is a 500-word Essay?

You must be wondering how long exactly a 500-word essay is? As it is a very easy style of composing an essay, so every student prefers to complete it right away and get back to other activities.

One of the interesting facts about this essay type is that it is even shorter than we think. It depends on the formatting style, sizing, and spacing a writer chooses to use. If a writer wants a double-spaced writing format, that is also acceptable for writing such an essay.

To make sure that you write the essay with perfection, understand all the requirements provided by your instructor to compose this type of essay.

500-Word Essay Sample (PDF)

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How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is a very simple task to do. But things might get complicated if you do not follow a standard way of writing.

The following are the steps you should consider while writing a 500-word essay.

Before you start writing an essay, the first thing you should do is to understand the requirements provided by your instructor.

Understanding the requirements will help you to complete your essay without any mess and up to the mark. Proceeding according to the requirements will keep you composed through the essay writing process.

Once you have understood all the requirements, the next step is to think of some interesting ideas. Brainstorming helps you to use the creativity of your mind, especially when it comes to essay writing.

Note down all the elements that you come up with within your mind. Make a rough list of all the ideas and later on organize them to compose an effective essay.

After you have understood all the instructions and spent enough time brainstorming different ideas, it is time you choose a topic.

Always choose a unique and interesting topic. A good topic is highly responsible for making your essay attractive. Also, try that you have selected a topic that is not overdone. An overdone and repetitive topic would make your audience boring.

For a 500-word essay, a topic must be very interesting as you have to make the essay interesting within a very limited word count. Make sure that you choose such a topic about which you can easily collect evidence and facts to support it and make it stronger.

Conducting research on the selected topic is an essential part of essay writing. The research will help you collect all the relevant information that is necessary to make your essay stronger.

Also, researching a topic will make the writing process very smooth for you as you will have all the information that is needed for the essay.

Collect all information only from reliable sources as you don’t want to misguide your audience.

The outline is an element of an essay that can save time, make things easy, and earn a better grade.

Just write down all the main features and arguments you want to discuss in your 500-word essay. This will help you to get back on track if you forget the things you wanted to write about.

Moreover, your essay will always be structured and clear, so the audience will read it easily and will follow your thoughts without any challenges.

Since you have your topic and all the information related to the topic thus, you are all set to start writing your essay.

Essay writing starts with writing an introduction. As you are writing an essay of 500 words, an introduction should have only one paragraph. In that paragraph, you should explain the main topic and its importance and also the thesis statement.

After introducing the topic, state the body paragraph, and explain all the key elements in it. Usually, there are three body paragraphs in such essays to explain different key elements.

Don’t forget to add transition words, which will make the text smooth and readable. Also, ensure that you use the standard font styles, preferably Arial or Times New Roman.

The same as an introduction, your conclusion should be one paragraph long. Summarize all the key elements in a very precise way and do not add any new points.

Devoting some extra time to proofreading, revision, and editing can make your essay a whole lot better.

This is the simplest thing to do, but most students still skip it and make the biggest mistake. Proofreading ensures that there are no mistakes left behind in your document.

Always make sure that you revise your essay at least once and do the required editing.

Watch this video that shows cases the 5 common mistakes you might make in your 500-word essay writing. Learn how to avoid them to get the desired grade. 

500-Word Essay Examples

To understand any type of essay, one needs to look into some good examples. Unfortunately, when it comes to writing a 500-word essay, things become a bit technical for the writer.

To understand the method of writing a good 500-word essay on any topic, look at the following 500-word essay sample pdf examples. 

Leadership essays are written to discuss all the qualities of being a leader. Look at the given example and learn how you can write a 500-word essay on leadership

500-Word Essay on Leadership (PDF)

500-word essay writing assignments are often assigned to high school students. If you are a high school and want to see how you can perfectly write such an essay, look at the example given below.

500-Word Essay for High School (PDF)

Our changing environment is an important issue these days. An essay can be composed of different things related to it. The given example is a 500-word essay that discusses the environment in general.

500-Word Essay on the Environment (PDF)

Punctuality is one of the significant qualities of an individual. A well-written 500-word essay on punctuality is mentioned below to help you through.

500-Word Essay on Punctuality (PDF)

Teachers are the backbone of any educational system, and they play an essential role in developing students’ skills. However, many students aspiring teachers get confused writing 500-word essays due to their shortened length. Here is an example to help you out.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

Writing on nursing topics helps you to develop an understanding of the complexities of this field while also honing critical thinking skills. Below is a 500-word essay that can help future nurses.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

Honesty is an important value that must be cultivated in students from a young age. It helps to establish trust between individuals and sets the foundation for strong character development. Below is a 500 word essay on honesty to guide you on how to write on such a theme.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500-word essay on why I deserve a scholarship is often dreaded among students. These essays require you to shorten yet express a compelling story that can win over the panel. Here is a pdf to help you out.

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship PDF

Anger management is a difficult topic to tackle. It requires you to find effective solutions and ideas within such a limited word count. Check out the example given below for help.

500 Word Essay on Anger

The Second World War is one of the most important events in human history and its impact can still be felt today. Writing a 500-word essay on this subject requires research, understanding, and war insight. Below is a sample to help you get an idea about how to tackle such a topic.

500 word essay on ww2

Now that you know exactly what a 500 word essay looks like. Continue reading to select the perfect 500-word essay topic.

Great 500-Word Essay Topics

This type of essay is mostly assigned to high school and middle school students. The following are some amazing topics for 500-word essays.

• Difference between Love and passion.
• The love story of Romeo and Juliet.
• Why is there a belief that marriage destroys love?
• A religious aspect of love.
• What is real love?
• Is it possible to make a person truly love somebody?
• The influence of love on a person’s life?
• Why is real love often depicted in fairy tales?
• How to write a 100 words essay in Times New Roman?
• Can animals feel love for their owners?
• The effects of single space formatting in an essay.
• A journey to remember.
• How to prepare for an exam?
• Thoughts on spacecraft?
• How do people earn from the Internet?
• How can money influence people?
• How can disabilities be a challenge?
• Carrying guns by people underage.
• Telling lies is sometimes useful.
• Why is smoking the greatest threat to youngsters?

Writing assignments can be really daunting sometimes. To write an essay perfectly, you need to have strong writing skills and a lot of time to complete it. Instead of being stressed out, the best option is to seek professional help.

At  CollegeEssay.org , we have a qualified team of expert writer who can take care of any writing assignment. From writing a good college essay to providing you with the best research paper, we have got you covered.

You can always make the most of AI essay writing tools to refine and enhance your writing skills.

Get in touch with us now and place an order now for your 500-word scholarship essay or any other essay you need. We provide you with the best custom essay writing service  and an amazing experience.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

How many pages is a 500 word essay.

A 500-word essay page is approximately one page single-spaced, or two pages double-spaced. This may vary depending on your writing style and font size.Usually time new roman 12 is used. Typically, a 500 word essay will be about one page single or two pages double spaced.

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How Long Does It Take to Write a 1000 Word Essay?

How long does it take to research an essay?

If you’re writing an opinion piece on something you already have some knowledge about, you may not have to do any research at all. It may just be a matter of organizing your existing thoughts into a coherent essay. If you need to find out about a topic before you begin to write, you can easily get information on certain topics, whilst others will be more obscure and therefore more difficult to research. Clearly, the easier it is to find information, the faster you can write.

How good are your reading comprehension skills?

Some of us can just skim a piece and pick up all the salient points. Others will have to read with more attention, and even re-read a piece several times to extract the information we need. Having good reading and comprehension skills makes writing much faster since you’re able to “get” the facts faster and organize them better. Now you know why you had to do so many reading comprehension tests at school.

How well did you plan?

Throwing yourself headlong at a 1,000-word essay and writing till you reach the word count may seem like the easy option, but it isn’t. Planning your essay so that it begins with an introduction, highlights the most important points you want to make and then wraps everything up into a conclusion actually saves you time. Sometimes, essay instructions will tell you how to structure the piece, so read them carefully and extract any information you can use to guide your essay’s structure.

How fast do you type?

Have you ever gotten lost halfway through a sentence? You know what you wanted to say, but halfway through, the thought slips away from you. The faster you can type , the more easily you can capture thoughts before your mind moves onto the next thing and you forget what you were trying to say. Typing skills are essential in the modern world. Consider using typing games to improve your speed.

How long does it take me to write a 1,000-word essay?

Faster isn’t always better. The more in-depth your report is meant to be, the longer you should spend on it. I can usually research and write a fairly technical magazine article of 1,000 words in three hours, but do remember that I’m a professional writer. I’m fast because I write all day, every day.

The longest I’ve ever spent on a 1,000-word article was 12 hours. It was absolutely brutal! The information I needed to gather was very technical, hard to find, and even more difficult to understand, and you can’t write something until you really understand the subject matter. I also had to contact experts for their opinions, but I couldn’t even ask about their opinions until I could target them with the right questions. As a result, I actually had to write most of the article before slotting in the expert comment.

The quickest I’ve ever written a 1,000-word article is one hour. In this case, I already knew the subject matter well and didn’t have to back up every fact in the essay with references.

Reviewing your work also matters

If you’re writing for grades and want a good one, you need a really good essay. Don’t start writing it the day before you have to hand it in. Try and get your first draft down at least a day or two before you have to submit your work. Then return to it and do your editing. Read your essay aloud to yourself, since this will help you pick up any careless errors you wouldn’t otherwise spot. Check to see if your information flows logically from one point to the next and make sure that you’ve presented your information clearly.

Remember, teachers get tired. They have to read the same kind of essay over and over again when they grade. If they struggle to understand what you’re saying, you might not get as good a grade as you would if you stuck to using short sentences and relatively simple language.

Your reviewing process shouldn’t take all that long. If you don’t have to make a lot of changes, you should be able to do your final edit in under half an hour.

Take your time. Whatever you do, don’t rush. You might want your essay to be written quickly, but if it’s an important essay, taking your time will give you a better finished product. Budget your time conservatively. It’s better to find that you’ve still got time left over than to run out of time and end up dashing things off with a looming deadline.

Below are some basic guidelines if you need a rough estimate on how long it will take to write an essay. It’s important to remember that there are a plethora of mitigating factors that can increase or decrease the time it takes to write. The below numbers are using an estimate that it takes about 3 hours 20 minutes to write a 1000 word essay:

How long does it take to write a 100 word essay? It takes about 20 minutes to write a 100 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 200 word essay? It takes about 40 minutes to write a 200 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 250 word essay? It takes about 50 minutes to write a 250 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 300 word essay? It takes about 1 hour to write a 300 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 400 word essay? It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to write a 400 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 500 word essay? It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to write a 500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 600 word essay? It takes about 2 hours to write a 600 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 700 word essay? It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to write a 700 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 800 word essay? It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to write a 800 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 900 word essay? It takes about 3 hours to write a 900 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,000 word essay? It takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes to write a 1,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,250 word essay? It takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes to write a 1,250 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,500 word essay? It takes about 5 hours to write a 1,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,750 word essay? It takes about 5 hours and 50 minutes to write a 1,750 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 2,000 word essay? It takes about 6 hours and 40 minutes to write a 2,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 2,500 word essay? It takes about 8 hours and 20 minutes to write a 2,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 3,000 word essay? It takes about 10 hours to write a 3,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 3,500 word essay? It takes about 11 hours and 40 minutes to write a 3,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 4,000 word essay? It takes about 13 hours and 20 minutes to write a 4,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 4,500 word essay? It takes about 15 hours to write a 4,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 5,000 word essay? It takes about 16 hours and 40 minutes to write a 5,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 6,000 word essay? It takes about 20 hours to write a 6,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 7,000 word essay? It takes about 23 hours and 20 minutes to write a 7,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 7,500 word essay? It takes about 25 hours to write a 7,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write an 8,000 word essay? It takes about 26 hours and 40 minutes to write an 8,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 9,000 word essay? It takes about 30 hours to write a 9,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 10,000 word essay? It takes about 33 hours and 20 minutes to write a 10,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 12,500 word essay? It takes about 41 hours and 40 minutes to write a 12,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 15,000 word essay? It takes about 50 hours to write a 15,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 20,000 word essay? It takes about 66 hours and 40 minutes to write a 20,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 25,000 word essay? It takes about 83 hours and 20 minutes to write a 25,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 50,000 word essay? It takes about 166 hours and 40 minutes to write a 50,000 word essay.

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This isn’t accurate. I wrote my 1000 word essay in an hour, not three hours. You should change the times you have listed to reflect how long it actually takes to write. Obviously you don’t know since the mes you listed are not the same as what I can do!

Did you even read the article? The writer says that it’s based on what she writes and is just a general approximation. How long it takes you or anybody else to write an essay will obviously be different because you’re not the same as everybody else. Nobody writes at the same speed so how long it takes you to write an essay will be different for every person.

Someone doesn’t understand the meaning of “rough estimate”

Well then you must be superhuman or some shit I don’t care, I came here for a question not your butthurt comments. Also, if your so good at writing I wouldn’t have found 2 typos in 2 sentences 🙂

*you’re

If you already have all the research done and know what you want to say, then a 1000 word essay shouldn’t take more than an hour to write. In fact, it probably can be done in 30 minutes or less. The time-consuming part of an essay is the research and how long that takes depends on how much you have to do. But the actual writing of the essay shouldn’t take too long at all.

But research is part of the writing process. If a person writes a book, they don’t only count the time it took them at the typewriter writing. They count all the time it took to research the book as well. Trying to separate the two doesn’t make sense.

I think an important thing to point out here is that there’s a huge difference between writing a 1000 word essay and writing a good 1000 word essay. You can write an essay in hardly any time at all if you don’t do the proper research and don’t spend time editing what you wrote. If you’re going to write a good essay, it’s going to take more time. You should always give yourself more time than you think you’re going to need to get it done.

This applies to all writing. Writing and writing something something well will have a huge time discrepancy even if both writings are the same length. Just because you are able to finish something quickly doesn’t mean that’s the best way to do it.

Exactly! Actually, it can take hours or days to come up with the right line – or it can come in seconds. There’s no real counting in terms of the creative process.

Days to come up with the right line? 😀

It does. Sometimes, no matter how hard you look at something, you won’t be satisfied with it. It may take you days to figure it out. And then, one fine day, you suddenly stand up right in the middle of breakfast and then run upstairs and then type out the right line. Source: personal experience

I just spent 8 hours on a 500-word monologue… This comment made me feel better.

Wow, your advice is excellent it motivated me to do a lot better in my essay.

In my opinion, hours that are presented here a partially true. It may take about an hor to write 300 word essay but editing also takes some time. So on averege, I count the time to write the piece itself + time edit everything.

Research, first draft writing, editing, and rewriting are all part of the writing process. I think the time it takes to do all of them should be counted in the time it takes.

It takes way too long! Teachers should not be allowed to assign essays more than 250 words. They always complain they don’t have enough time and work too hard. It’s only because they make their students do too much work!!

This comment just makes you look lazy. 250 words is nothing. Any topic that needs to be explored will take many more words than this. If you don’t want to write, just admit it and don’t try to project that on others.

If you do your research, use annotations for resources and understand to whom and what you have to transfer than the fewer words the better. Remember that you are demonstrating deep knowledge of the topic by making it accessible to the audience without them doing the research. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Contrary to what academia self-righteously preach, its imperative for any writing and explanation of thought to be simplified. If you cant explain it in short time/short essay you don’t understand it enough.

I disagree, I feel 250 words is way too less to explain any topic. In my opinion, the maximum word count for an essay should be 1500.

It should take long enough that you get all the points you want across in the writing, but not too long as to bore the reader. Writing should be engaging, not boring.

Nice philosophy, but completely unhelpful if you have a paper due tomorrow and limited amount of time to write. The real world doesn’t work that way.

If someone has an essay due tomorrow and they waste time reading this, then they are a bit of an idiot for giving themselves even less time to work with. If they’re leaving work to the last minute like that, then the only thing they should be doing is jumping right in and writing (or planning the essay, but that should be done much sooner).

This is so arbitrary and will depend on the individual. It’s like asking the question, “how long does it take to write a book?” For some, it will only take a couple of months while for others it will take a lifetime. it also depends on the type of writing you’re doing. Some writing is easy and quick and other writing is difficult and requires huge amounts of research.

The uphill task of writing an essay is doing thorough research. Once you have completed the research, you can deliver a 1000 word paper per hour

I completely agree with you on that one. I recently worked on a 4000 word essay, and while the research did take me three hours to conduct, I completed the essay itself in a bit less than four hours and scored a total of 32/34 points.

So happy to read that! That’s because I just realised, that that is what I needed to read. I’ve got two months to write six 2500 word essays. I’ve been procrastinating because I’m simply in fear of doing a bad job. I’ve done lots of research; made lots of notes; collected citations and written nothing. It’s time. I can do this!

I’m writing a 1600 word essay right now as I type this lol

Then show me after you have finished.

Im writing a 2500 word essay, almost done, I can’t even imagine writing a 10000 word essay in university, that sounds EXTREMELY painful 🙁

I found these estimations quite accurate, thank you.

I’m writing a narrative for my English class right this moment and the word requirements are 800-1000. I’ve only been working for two hours and I’m at 1,157. I’m nowhere near done…

your word requirements are 800-1000 and u have 1157? You’ve been done for a while I would say

Wow i have to write a 1 500 word essay in 4 days and I have about 1050 words left Dono how long thats gonna take me 😂😭😭😭

I am writing a dissertation and those estimations made me positive because just 41 hour to write 12,000 essay seems nothing. But at the moment I just finished literature review(though the hardest part yet) without editing I am already at over 35 hours of work. And that’s not even a half! But I am aiming for a good grade though…

I’ve found these estimates incredibly accurate in my years in college. I’m about to graduate next week and have one more 3500 word paper to write. We’ll see if the estimates hold true. However, the estimates (for me at least) don’t include the time it takes to edit so I usually add a little time depending on how long the essay/paper has to be.

Wow, these tips are helpful, Thank You to the creator of this website. These tips helped me a lot in my essay for school.

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Your Complete Guide to Writing Winning MBA Essays

With thousands of highly-qualified applicants from around the world vying for a limited number of spots, your main objective during the application process is to stand out . Succeed in this endeavor, and you’ll find yourself joining the ranks of the world’s elite business schools .

Fail, and you’ll find yourself on a waitlist or worse, not admitted anywhere at all. Though there are many types of essays in which you will need to justify your fit with a prestigious MBA, each needs to focus on showing off your greatest hits and prove to the admissions committee that you’re someone worth admitting.

Nonetheless, writing a standout essay requires much more than sitting down to your computer and writing a stream of consciousness account of your career highlights. Instead, it requires careful selection and crafting to ensure your stories really sell you .

Table of Contents

1.1. The Role Essays Play in the Admissions Process 1.2. Make Sure You Stand Out

2. Structuring Your Essay

2.1. Reflect On Your Best Examples What makes a good example? 2.2. Choose Your Theme Wisely 2.3. Hook your reader from the very first word 2.4. Utilize Strong Storytelling How to choose the best stories? Theme and story go hand in hand Story: roadblocks and solutions 2.5. The STAR method is your secret storytelling weapon 2.6. Conflict is Key 2.7. The Protagonist is YOU 2.8. Be Passionate

3.1. Navigating Short Essays 3.2. 500 Word Essays – the Magic Number 3.3. Maintaining Focus in Long Essays How is a typical essay structured? What makes a good MBA essay structure? Sandwiches.

4. Common Types of MBA Essays and How to Approach Each Type

4.1. Goals Essays 4.2. Achievement Essays 4.3. Reapplicant Essays What does a “good” optional essay include? 4.4. Optional Essays What does a “good” optional essay include? 4.5. Video Essays How does the video essay work?

5.1. Strategic vs. Traditional Edits Technical editing: The basic ingredients of an MBA essay Strategic editing: the secret ingredient to an outstanding MBA essay 5.2. Cutting Words Strategy #1: Revisit your stories Strategy #2: Reduce “of” constructions Strategy #3: Reduce “I think/wish/believe…” phrases Strategy #4: Reduce passive voice 5.3. A Word on Feedback

1. Why Essays Matter

With admissions rates at elite MBAs like Stanford Graduate School of Business hovering around 6%, standing out from the crowd is one of the most important challenges you will face during your business school application journey.

Though there are many elements that make up a successful MBA application , one of the most important is your admissions essay.

Writing admissions essays that cut through the noise and help the admissions committee connect with you and your ideas means getting in to your target business schools.

1.1. The Role Essays Play in the Admissions Process

As anyone who has attended an MBA info session can tell you, the admissions process for elite business school is a holistic process that takes into account numerous factors about your profile.

In addition to your GMAT score , the admissions committee also takes into consideration your university grades, career progression, and letters of recommendation.

However, one of the most important elements of your application is your admissions essays, as these breathe life into your profile’s data points.

Though a great admissions essay cannot overcome a poor GMAT score and sub-par job performance, it is one of the greatest differentials among you and other highly-qualified candidates .

That’s because admissions essays offer context. Your CV may show where you’ve worked and for how long, but your essays show what inspired you to take this position, the valuable lessons you’ve learned, and how you intend to keep using these lessons to generate meaningful impact.

As such, essays are one of the most important parts of the application process and can be a major factor in determining if you’re invited to interview or dinged.

1.2. Make Sure You Stand Out

In today’s fast-paced world, a sort of “attention economy” has developed in which an ever-increasing stream of inputs is battling for our ever-decreasing attention spans .

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a tool that would reliably cut through all the distraction?

Luckily, such a tool already exists. In fact, storytelling has been the key to hacking the brain’s circuitry since long before the first word was ever written down ( even Harvard Business School agrees! )

In fact, the importance of storytelling has only become even more entrenched as research on the topic emerges, meaning stories remain one of the most efficient means we have to transmit information to others.

The power of storytelling even extends into a realm often thought to be “too serious” for stories: the business world.

Yet, with thought leaders reinforcing that stories are not only important but an essential tool for modern leaders (and the best TED talks being overwhelmingly story-driven), it’s clear that the ability to tell compelling stories is an advantage.

Harnessing this tool when writing your admissions essays goes a long way to giving you the edge you need to stand out — and when it comes to elite MBA admissions, it’s all about standing out!

One of the most essential elements to a compelling MBA admissions essay is your structure. Your structure is like your map: it helps your readers get flawlessly from A to B.

In terms of your essay, this means that structure helps your reader transition between what you said before, what you’re saying now, and what you will say next.

Without a solid, clear, and defining structure, your essay can be good, but won’t be excellent. Your stories may be fascinating – but only if your reader understands why they are reading about them in the first place. In other words, structure implicitly emphasizes relevance.

The tips below give you more insight into how to structure and write amazing application essays.

2.1. Reflect On Your Best Examples

Over your career, you’ve likely had a lot of wins — both big and small.

Though you’re hopefully nodding your head in agreement, when was the last time you really reflected on which of your achievements are your strongest?

Most of our clients are extremely ambitious, forward-looking people, however, writing your MBA essays requires keeping one eye on the future and the other on the past .

That’s why, before you start writing the first word of your first MBA essay, you should take the time to compile a list of your top stories.

What makes a good example?

In general, clients make the mistake of thinking that the only examples they can include in essays are those in which they helped establish one of Africa’s first private equity firms , created the world’s first mind-controlled jet pack , or developed a cure for cancer .

Though these are certainly all incredible achievements, your best example doesn’t necessarily have to be so big .

For example, while brainstorming his essay topics , a recent client was struggling with the fact that his corporate finance job felt to him like a lot of financial reports and Excel spreadsheets.

However, when we dug into the details, he told us that he’d led the process to help his company negotiate better terms with a foreign government to ensure they were able to continue offering affordable protein in that country.

Not only did this example show his ability to negotiate and communicate across cultures, he was also able to show how he generated meaningful results for his company and positively impacted people in an entire country.

That’s a pretty great example!

Go back and think of all the moments of your career you are proudest of.

Then, based on each essay question and each school’s values (If you’re having trouble understanding your dream school’s values, our team of admissions experts can help !), allocate your best examples. You’ll need a good theme, focus, and excellent story to turn these examples into winning MBA essays, but we’ll get more into that below! Here, just make sure the examples you choose truly answer the question .

2.2. Choose Your Theme Wisely

The first key, or element, of a compelling essay is a strong theme .

Your theme is the main message of your essay. Basic examples may be “teamwork is paramount” or “empowering others is what I value most”. Your choice of theme will depend on the essay question.

A theme is important for your MBA essay because it is what ties everything you say together. Instead of random stories that have no common thread, your theme is what allows you to use multiple stories to reinforce what you really want to say about yourself.

So how do you go about choosing the right theme?

Your theme expresses a value (ex: “community”, “ giving back ”, “innovation”) that you feel has defined you in some way. You can choose practically any value that you can relate back to your personal experiences. However, it is essential that you choose a value you truly believe in – faking it to sound good will be immediately obvious to any admissions board.

A good theme also relates back to the school and its values. The school’s values will give you an idea of who the school is looking for, and you should always take these into account when choosing your theme. Each school will have different, individual values.

The school’s values may be implicit or explicit – you may need to take a long look at their website, visit their campus, ponder their motto, or study their application materials to figure out what they are. (If you find yourself struggling to determine these, this is something that Ellin Lolis Consulting is glad to help you with.)

For example, when applying to the Stanford Graduate School of Business , their values include the following:

Global awareness, community-oriented, integrity, collaborative team leadership, passion, intellectual vitality, etc.

The theme of your Stanford essay should not , therefore, simply be “integrity” or “global awareness”. Instead, give the value a personal touch that says something about you: for example, you could go with “honesty above everything” or “the importance of an international team”. If you’ve chosen your theme well, it may even overlap with multiple values of your target school.

Keep in mind that your choice of theme must answer the essay question. While this might be easy in open-ended essays, some answers may require much deeper thought to determine your underlying values.

MBA ESSAY THEME: ROADBLOCKS AND SOLUTIONS

The most common problem pertaining to theme often comes down to this: too many or too few. Even if you’ve chosen the most awesome theme, encountering either one of these problems could make or break your MBA admissions essay.

How can you have too many themes? It may be hard to narrow down what you value most, or which of your target school’s values is the most important to you. If you can’t decide, you may end up trying to build in more than one.

You may begin your essay by exuberantly exclaiming the importance of teamwork while emphasizing how much your community means to you in your conclusion. This discrepancy will not only confuse your reader, it will lead to a weak message and a weak essay.

On the other hand, your theme must be explicitly clear. You cannot assume that your reader will simply understand your theme after reading your essay. You must state this for them multiple times.

Either option will cause your theme to feel unclear to your reader. Make sure you have a single theme (even if it might represent multiple values!) that you clearly stick with throughout the entire essay.

2.3. Hook your reader from the very first word

Quickly grabbing your audience’s attention is one of the most important, yet most challenging tasks when telling any story.

Let’s take a look at Nike’s “Breaking 2” commercial, named one of the 10 best ads of 2017 .

The ad starts out with the phrase, “Breaking the two hour marathon barrier is impossible.”

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjd1z8yawVw

Immediately, as we see the runner standing at the starting line, preparing to train in the early light before dawn, we immediately want to know if this solitary figure has what it takes to “do the impossible.”

This curiosity drives us forward and makes it so that we literally can’t take our eyes of the screen.

A good hook in your essay functions in much the same way: it sparks the reader’s interest and compels them to keep reading.

Let’s take two versions of the same essay for example.

Here, the author has gone right into the story, neglecting to write a hook:

I have always been fascinated by cosmology and astronomy, not only because they relate to the study of the universe, but because they are an exercise in thinking beyond limitations. I first encountered these concepts at a young age. After presenting a perfect report card to my parents at age seven, I was rewarded with a book on spacetime. Diving into the realm of the cosmos inspired me to think about reality in imaginative ways free from the constraints often imposed by society and connecting me to the great thinkers of the past who made groundbreaking discoveries that changed the world.

Did this leave you wanting more? Perhaps not.

However, in the final version of the story, the author hits us with:

What do Copernicus and Phil Knight have in common? I learned about Copernicus after receiving a book on astronomy from my parents that awakened my childhood passion for the cosmos. I first learned about Knight from his book, Shoe Dog, but became more familiar with him much later in life while working with Nike, a client in my portfolio. What both have in common, however, is that they were agents of change. They refused to accept the status quo and revolutionized society with simple yet groundbreaking ideas that changed humanity forever.

This version is much more compelling. Copernicus and Phil Knight seemingly have nothing in common, so figuring this small puzzle out moves the reader forward and ultimately ensures they become immersed in the story.

Though MBA essay word limits are notoriously small , using an interesting hook that is related to your example is a good investment, as it will ensure the admissions committee member perusing your essay keeps reading and, ultimately, calls you for an interview.

2.4. Utilize Strong Storytelling

Stories are the examples you use to underline your theme.

They should be based on your personal experiences and are the most tangible element of your MBA admissions essay. The choices here are endless, and may come from the workplace, school, or your personal life.

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, this article in The Economist offers some good starting points . The most important thing is that your stories illustrate how they have contributed to the value that you’ve presented in your theme.

How to choose the best stories? Theme and story go hand in hand

The stories you choose need to relate to your theme. Your theme will relate to your stories. The two of these – and choosing them – go hand in hand.

You may first brainstorm inspiring stories from your past and then choose which theme aligns with them. Or you may want to start by contemplating your theme and then deciding where it has been exemplified in your past. Either method will work, as long as you use honest examples and really believe in your theme.

How many stories you tell in your MBA essay depends on your theme and the topic of the essay (and possibly your word count!). In some cases, you may need multiple stories while in others a single story will suffice.

Story: roadblocks and solutions

The main problem you see with stories in MBA essays is that they do not match the theme. If this is the case, you need to rethink your story – or your theme.

In contrast to your theme, you cannot have too much information here at this stage in your essay. Remember here that although the details about what happened, how you felt about it, or why an event was significant may be clear to you, it will not always be clear to your reader . Including sufficient information about context, your motivations, and what you learned is essential to make sure your message is clear.

This is where a second set of eyes is absolutely necessary. Our editors here at Ellin Lolis Consulting are good at spotting the details that may be implicit in your essay, but have not been stated clearly enough for all your readers.

Another common problem is not highlighting your role in the story. Even if the experience was a team effort – and even if teamwork is your theme – it is necessary to highlight the individual part you played. After all, the admissions board is focusing on you .

2.5. The STAR method is your secret storytelling weapon

STAR stands for Situation – Task – Action – Result.

The framework will help you write a clear, compelling answer that provides background, tells exactly what you did and ends with a big reveal.

Here’s how it works :

• Situation – Begin with setting the stage and presenting the complication or conflict of the story. For example: “My brand was losing market share to a new competitor” 

• Task – Identify your objective in light of the complication and summarize the task or project performed: “I decided to revise our strategy” 

• Action – Describe the action steps you took toward your goal: “I surveyed customers to learn what traits they valued and implemented product changes accordingly” 

• Results – Summarize the outcome and how you and/or your team made a difference: “We gained 20 additional market share.”

The STAR method makes it very easy for your reader not only to understand what took place, but to also see your role in all of it — important given the fact that it’s you and not your team or company that’s applying for an MBA.

Not convinced you should follow this method? Check out the two stories below. Which does a better job of clearly showing the applicant’s strengths and achievement?

My greatest achievement in life so far has come from my study effort. It was one of the best days of my life when I got the news I was chosen for a scholarship from the Brazilian government to start a project in University of Texas. From this episode I learned that the long run counts a lot because this scholarship didn’t depend on taking a test and having a great day on it. It was awarded to students who had an English proficiency diploma at a specific point in time and a great college record. In Texas, I was forced to become a more independent man and I had the chance to connect with so many people with so many different backgrounds that I can say my desire to explore the world started there.

Or this one?

The achievement I’m most proud of happened recently. At my company, it had been three years since we had raised investments for a new fund, so finding a new opportunity was critical. In mid-December, that great opportunity arose, however, we’d be battling against an unbelievably short deadline to get the project approved.

Normally, at this time of year, we’re still fully staffed, but given the stagnant market, only one manager and myself remained. In addition, the fund’s investment policy relied on a strategy that we’d never used. Finally, I’d never worked on the public offering of a fund before.

Nonetheless, I knew that if the partner and I worked diligently to support each other, we could land this deal. Our first move was to organize a meeting to align all parties involved. Then, we divided tasks, and I took over coordinating stakeholders, assigning tasks and managing deliverables. In the end, we successfully delivered everything on time.

This experience made me more comfortable in a leadership position, as managing diverse stakeholders under pressure helped me better analyze what each brought to the table and execute accordingly. Recently, I’ve even been able to help other teams coordinate new offers. Finally, the project was a great opportunity to learn new management skills from my superior. This reinforced for me how important it will be to learn additional management frameworks at INSEAD and prepare myself to be a leader in the Private Equity market.

Though the first essay includes a tremendous achievement, the lack of structure and details makes it difficult for us to understand exactly what happened.

The second essay clearly states the facts, and doesn’t forget that the S of STAR is one of the most important parts of any winning achievement essay .

In any good story, we need some sort of challenge for our protagonist to solve.

2.6. Conflict is Key

In life, we work hard to avoid conflict as much as possible, yet when it comes to stories, conflict is not only important, it is essential to captivating attention.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geG8E_ocYDY

Would Breaking Bad have been as interesting if Walter White was already an established drug lord when the show started? Probably not. Watching him take the news of his cancer diagnosis and find an unusual way to drum up the money for treatment is just what makes the show so addictive.

Conflict and how our “hero” (in this case, you!) solves the challenge is at the core of any good story, so make sure you use the STAR method to clearly set up the conflict you needed to navigate and then show how you took steps to turn this roadblock into one of your standout moments.

Let’s take this essay for example. In an early version, the story was conflict-free.

Upon joining MBB after graduation, another experience inspired personal growth. While in abroad, I participated in recruiting processes for top consulting firms, and saw firsthand that MBB lagged behind in recruiting students pursuing dual degrees abroad. After joining, I created a dedicated process to recruit these top performers. Four months later, we had the first online connection event, which attracted more than 40 interested students. The program has since become an essential recruiting tool. I am proud to lead this internal team in contributing to MBB’s long-term success as we attract the talent we need to deliver high-impact results to clients.

Though this shows initiative on the applicant’s part, it is far less compelling than this version of events:

After graduating, I joined MBB, as it allowed me to channel my intellectual curiosity, explore various sectors and be an agent of change. While abroad, I participated in recruiting processes for other top consulting firms, and saw firsthand that MBB lagged behind in recruiting dual-degree students. After joining, I spoke with several partners about creating a program to solve this issue. The partners were hesitant, however, concerned they could not adequately evaluate candidates remotely. After demonstrating the implications of overlooking these high-potential candidates, I received permission to create a dedicated dual-degree recruiting process. Four months later, I had mobilized 10 colleagues, leading them in organizing BCG’s first online connection event. The program has since become an essential recruiting tool, bringing in more than 10% of our hires since inception.

Here, not only does she show initiative, she also shows she has an ability to clearly communicate and add value to her firm, even when the odds are stacked against her.

So, when writing your MBA application essays, make sure to give your stories some much-needed drama!

2.7. The Protagonist is YOU

In general, modesty is a good thing.

However, when writing your MBA application essays, too much modesty can be fatal , as the admissions committee has a short amount of time to decide if you make the cut or not.

As such, one of the mistakes you want to be sure to avoid while writing is forgetting that the protagonist of your essays is you!

Specifically for extremely collaborative schools (like Kellogg or INSEAD), we see clients writing entire essays that talk a lot about what the team did, but never once use the pronoun “I.”

Though you may think that never saying “I” is a good way to show you’re a team player, it actually makes it very difficult for the reader to understand your role in the events that happened .

This kind of ambiguity turns even the greatest leadership example into something lackluster, as there is no evidence to support the fact that you had anything to do with the results.

Not clarifying your role when answering a failure question is perhaps even worse. Failure questions are inherently designed to test your level of self-awareness and maturity, so not making your role in the failure clear gives the impression that you’re unable to accept responsibility for your actions.

For example, let’s take a look at part of a former client, Marck’s, first attempt at answering the INSEAD Essay “ Describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiments impact your relationship with others? Comment on what you learned. ”

“When I was in my senior year in university, I was selected to be part of a four-student team that represented our school at the USC Marshall International Case Competition in Los Angeles. The competition format gave a real business problem and 24 hours to formulate a solution. After my team received the problem and processed the information, I envisioned a solution that went beyond the objective question, offering not only the hypothetical solution, but also an implementation plan. All groups were from top universities and would probably present strong solutions, so this way I thought our solution would maybe stand out. My colleagues wouldn’t agree on this approach because they thought 24-hours was already a short time to develop a solution so adding the extra work of developing an implementation plan would seem impractical. We started our case but it was very frustrating for me to help with the work that I felt was not meant to win the competition.

Finally we delivered our presentation, which got an regular scoring, not enough to advance to the finals. I was very disappointed by this premature disqualification, especially because our group have prepared well for this competition, for nearly 2 months.”

Though it’s clear to see that things didn’t go according to plan, it’s not clear how Marck played a clear role in contributing to this failure. In this case, he had to change his example, but by focusing in and making himself the protagonist of the essay, he was able to come up with this, stronger essay that ultimately helped him land a spot at INSEAD:

“After ten rigorous interviews, I had finally obtained my first ever job: an internship in Credit Suisse’s asset management department. Throughout the interviews, I was confident and highly communicative, and after two months of work, I was eager for my first professional evaluation. However, while my manager was impressed with my confidence and communication during interviews, he admonished me for having “lost” both traits as an intern and threatened to fire me should I not change. Rather than explaining myself, I held back, deferring to the authority of my superiors.

As I reflected on this feedback, I realized my behavior might have been influenced by my Asian background. Raised to be respectful and humble in the face of authority, I failed to consider that this does not fit in a finance environment, where one needs to be assertive and unafraid of disagreement to make the best deals. I thought critically about how my approach must be adapted to different situations, and that traits that are highly valued in one culture may not be in others. With this in mind, I adopted a more assertive communication style, receiving excellent feedback in future evaluations. Most importantly, I learned that effective team members must be perceptive enough to understand cultural differences and flexible enough to adapt accordingly. “

2.8. Be Passionate

With so many elements to keep in mind, it can be easy to focus on the strategy of your story and forget the most important ingredient in your essay – passion!

This is hugely important to the whole essay and you should take some time to really think about what you want to convey to the admissions officers. Keep in mind that they already have all the facts about you – they know your grades, your work history, and probably most of your measurable achievements.

The goal is to make them love you.

Write about what you’re passionate about, whatever it is, because it will give the admissions team insight into who you really are. It’s something that your grades and work history can’t communicate, but your passion can.

Here’s another tip: don’t try to fabricate something that you’re passionate about because it sounds good .

There are enough application essays out there that talk about wanting to help people because the world has a lot of problems. You won’t stand out just because you write about a noble cause.

Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean for Admissions at Yale School of Management, says he is wary of personal statements that tell dramatic stories and stretch the truth. He does not look for students who have had exotic experiences, but for evidence of resilience, introspection, and initiative.

Use this space to get personal. Tell an anecdote about your life and be creative with your presentation. You can write about something you’re passionate about without describing your life story.

The key is simply to care about what you’re writing about , whether that’s coffee or running or your grandmother. Let your qualities shine through that topic – it will be much more memorable than talking about how you want to help people.

And remember, because your essay is one in thousands being read by a team of people who have seen it all before, being memorable is absolutely essential.

So, what are you passionate about? Be honest, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine!

3. How to Maximize Word Counts

Your MBA admissions essay will, in most cases, be limited to a specific number of words. If it is, it is extremely important that you do not exceed the limit. For some schools, you simply won’t be able to upload longer essays. For other, though there is no official penalty, failing to follow instructions may get your essay thrown out.

Remember, you are not telling the admissions board your life story, but rather concentrating on specific events.

As such, choosing the right approach and right number of examples to use based on the number of words the question gives you is essential .

For example, if you were writing a timely tweet to share your opinion, you’d take a very different approach then if crafting a cover letter that demonstrated why you’d be the perfect candidate for your dream job.

In short, the size of the essay greatly dictates the content and approach you’ll utilize, so we’ve put together a number of tips to help you write winning essays of all sizes.

3.1. Navigating Short Essays

Though candidates often stress about long essays, short essays can often be more challenging. As they are becoming increasingly common (Berkeley Haas and Michigan Ross , for example, hasn’t included an essay longer than 300 words in years), it’s important to make sure every word you include packs a punch!

In 250 words or less , you are challenged with the task of communicating to the admissions team how you stand out from the crowd and why you should be admitted into their program. Since you are competing with thousands of other applicants who have the exact same goal, this might seem like an overwhelming task.

Have no fear!

Here at Ellin Lolis Consulting , we are extremely skilled at helping potential MBA students reach their goals. Among other things, our knowledge of what makes a winning short essay has led to a 99% success rate of our clients being accepted into at least one of their target schools. These tips will help you similarly reach your goal!

Stay focused

In an essay of 250 words, this might be the most important advice to keep in mind.

The reason one anecdote or story is because that’s all you have room for. This essay is not meant to repeat the achievements the admissions people already know, nor is it a good place to squeeze in a summary of your life – or even a summary of one year! Choose one moment, one situation, one idea , and follow it all the way through.

A quick note before we get deeper into how to write with focus: make sure this one point answers the question being asked.

Some universities ask very open ended questions that give you all kinds of freedom when writing, but many use more specific prompts. Before you start writing, all throughout the process, and after you think you’re finished, make sure that you are clearly answering the question.

How to Stay Focused Tip #1

Staying focused means using one story to support your point.

Resist the temptation to rabbit trail because it gives you a chance to talk about something else you’re proud of. Your essay should follow one idea beginning to end so that you can flesh it out a bit and show some of that deep thinking we were talking about. Listing things like a resume will not do that for you.

How to Stay Focused Tip #2

Cut the fluff and write concisely.

There are several ways you can do this. The first is writing in the active voice, where the subject of the sentence performs the action, as opposed to the passive voice, where the subject receives the action. The Writing Centre at the University of Wisconsin-Madison gives these examples:

Active: The dog bit the man.

Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.

Active should be used whenever possible because it makes the sentence more clear and uses less words – the goal of any shortessay.

The second major way you can cut out fluff is by avoiding big, general statements that don’t contribute much to the paragraph. If you are wondering whether a sentence is “fluffy” or not, try reading the paragraph without that sentence and see if the section loses much meaning. If your point is still clear (or more clear) without that sentence, cut it.

3.2. 500 Word Essays – the Magic Number

One of the most common word limits in MBA application essays is 500 words .

Whether a goals essay, a leadership essay, or a personal essay, this word count gives you just enough room to include meaningful, well-detailed examples without inviting you to wax poetic about your entire life story.

So, considering how popular they are, what is the first step to writing a compelling MBA essay in 500 words?

Forget about your word count.

Go ahead – let’s even take it to extremes. Take your ideas about word count, crumple them up, and throw them in the recycling bin. Or hide them in with the dirty laundry, or wherever else you know you won’t look until you’re on the final draft of your essay. Did that? Good.

Although most essays will have a word limit, that is not where you should begin – and it is definitely not what you should focus on while trying to develop your MBA admissions essay. In fact, trimming word count is the very last thing you should do before you finalize your draft.

So, you might ask, if I shouldn’t focus on word count, what should I be thinking about?

There are three answers to this question: theme, story, and structure . But what are these exactly?

Your theme is like your topic. It is the main thing you want your readers to know and remember about you while reading your essay. Everything – and I mean absolutely everything – in your MBA essay should pertain and relate back to your theme.

Story is how you express your theme. An MBA essay can have one or multiple stories. Your stories are personal (as in, they really did happen to you!) anecdotes about your past that contribute to the person you are today. These must (underline must) relate back to your theme.

Structure is how you combine the two in a way that makes it easy for your reader to get from one idea to the next. A strong structure will reinforce the meaning of your essay.

All three of these elements are interrelated, and all are necessary for creating a truly compelling MBA admissions essay.

In 500 words, you should have ample space to fully explore your theme by telling an interesting, well-structured story.

500 word essays, however, are usually not long enough for multiple fully-explored examples (unless we’re dealing with a goals essay, more on this below), so make sure you have a clear mission for the essay before getting started.

3.3. Maintaining Focus in Long Essays

Though the predominant trend is for MBA admissions committees to reduce the number of words required for their application, a few programs still ask candidates (or, in the case of HBS , allow candidates) to write much longer essays, often 1000 words or longer.

How is a typical essay structured?

Although this will vary according to the topic of the essay, the basic outline is often similar, as pointed out by Karen Schweitzer . The outline of your MBA essay will usually have the following format:

• Introduction: present your theme and it’s larger contextual significance
• Story 1 and the lesson(s) you learned from it
• Story 2 and the lesson(s) you learned from it ( if the essay prompt allows for more than one story)
• (Maybe more stories and lessons…)
• How your stories/theme relate to your target school ( such as classes you intend to take, groups you want to participate in, or the unique things that school offers that will help you expand on these values )
• Conclusion: tie all of this back into your theme

Keep in mind that this is only a basic outline for an MBA admissions essay , and there are other formats that may work just as well. You may find a different format works better for your message. In that case – go for it!

No matter which format you choose, however, make sure your reader can clearly and easily understand and navigate the structure of your essay. With thousands of other essays to read, sending a confusing essay to “stand out” is likely to get your essay tossed aside.

What makes a good MBA essay structure? Sandwiches.

How do you ensure that your MBA essay is well-structured? Here, it is best to rely on the classic sandwich method .

The sandwich method ensures that each of your stories (the lettuce, meat, cheese, and other particularly yummy parts of your structural sandwich) is surrounded by an explicit emphasis on your theme (the bread that holds your structural sandwich together).

You are going to need a few structural sandwiches for a good essay. Not only should the essay itself be one big sandwich, but each paragraph – each story – needs to be one as well. In other words:

Sandwich #1: The essay as a whole

In your essay-structural-sandwich, your theme needs to surround your stories. The introduction of your essay should clearly present your theme and your conclusion needs to pick it back up.

Sandwiches #2-?: Each and every story

Each story needs an introduction sentence and a concluding sentence. Both of these sentences need to relate your story back to your theme.

The sandwich method is a way to ensure your reader stays on the same page as you. They make it explicitly clear why what you are saying is relevant to the larger picture and how you got there in the first place.

Hungry? Have an example sandwich

In spring 2017, we helped Axel from Argentina compose and refine his Stanford essays. In this essay, he chose to focus on the theme “being an agent of change”. Take a look at one of the stories he told to highlight this theme:

“Later, while volunteering in São Paulo’s favelas, I wanted to convey the power of change to children by showing them what I learned from the book on the cosmos. By connecting my hobby of space with my desire for change, I shared my knowledge of cosmology and mathematics and gained valuable lessons from people with backgrounds in education. In learning from each other’s strengths, we were able to complement the children’s formal education and inspired them to look at past science geniuses who defied conventions so that the students might also be inspired to challenge their social standing. This experience showed me that working to create change is as important as its positive effects .”

As you can see in bold, the relevance of this story to Axel’s theme is clear in both the introduction and conclusion of the paragraph.

Keeping your structure and theme in mind throughout your entire essay not only makes your essay more compelling, it’s also the lifeblood that ensures your reader stays interested enough in what you have to say to get through all 1000 words of your essay.

Here we’ll go more into depth into the most common types and how to best tell your story in each format below.

4.1. Goals Essays

It’s not always phrased the same way, but each school is asking for the same thing: your goals essay .

Your response must be a personal statement that describes much more than just your short and long term goals (though they are, of course, the key to the whole essay).

Crafting a compelling goals essay that lands you an interview means giving context to your goals and showing that you’ve thought through them enough to be specific and realistic. This means that your own vision of your future career path must be crystal clear, since no elite business school will admit candidates who do not state clear, well argued goals .

If you’re still not quite sure what you want to do post-MBA, you may want to consider career coaching before you start writing.

Assuming you have some rock solid goals in place, here are several tips that will help you turn your career plan into a winning essay!

An interview-worthy formula

Try to think of the MBA goals essay as a story, and the important components of the story are your past, present, and future, and how they all connect. Specifically, how they connect should look like this:

Past Experience + Present MBA = Future Professional Goals

Your story should flow well between these components, building upon each of them and creating a unified narrative. However, that narrative shouldn’t follow a ‘past, present, future’ sequence at all, since it’s difficult to explain why a particular program is perfect for you if you haven’t stated your goals yet.

Instead, go with a ‘past, future, present’ format . Organizing your essay in this way will provide clarity and a pleasing flow to the information.

Now let’s look at what each section should include:

Past experience

Whether the question asks for it or not, a little bit about your work history is important to include in this essay. It gives context to your goals , proof that you have relevant experience related to your goals, and sets up the argument for why you’re applying for that specific MBA – a crucial aspect to the goals essay.

If the question does ask about your career progress to date, keep in mind the information the admissions counselors already have. The goal here is not to list every achievement you’ve made (they probably see that on your resume ), but to give brief, strong examples of an accomplished career, especially focusing on achievements that relate to your future goals.

For example, though you may have had a highly successful marketing internship, but have since forged a career in M&A, you may want to leave your marketing achievements out of your goals essay to focus on more relevant information.

Nonetheless, not everyone has a perfectly linear path where each step logically leads to the next. Your work history might look disjointed on paper, but the key is to emphasize growth and highlight your capabilities. All of this needs to add up to the next section: your future goals.

Future goals

Your essay revolves around your short and long term goals, which means you need to think through these two things more than anything else.

It is important that you explain the relationship between all the lessons you learned along your career journey and your future – how has your past prepared and inspired you for your future? Later, we’ll talk about some crucial things that need to come into play when describing your goals.

Present – the MBA

This is your chance to really sell yourself to the admissions committee – why is their school the very best for your specific needs?

You have shown the experience and knowledge you have, the goals that resulted, and now you need to prove that this program can give you everything you need to reach those goals.

This is no time to be vague. Specific classes, the school’s non-academic offerings, and school culture can all be referenced to support your argument that this program is the very best (or only) way to build the skills you need to reach your goals.

Standing out as a prime candidate to admissions counselors means writing a goals essay with clarity and purpose, showing that you are informed and visionary enough to see your goals through. If you follow the above format and tips, you will likely be on a path to achieving your next goal: landing an interview with your top choice MBA program .

4.2. Achievement Essays

Though a few programs do include questions about failures (most notably INSEAD and Columbia), most programs ask you about your best and brightest moments.

When writing your achievement essay, remember that you’re telling the story of the war through the eyes of a soldier — meaning your showing who you are as a professional with one, clear representative example.

This means sticking to one story.

You should also make sure you focus on demonstrating a specific set of strengths.

Though many achievements are open-ended enough for you to demonstrate 10 different skills MBAs highly value , including all 10 means you won’t have enough evidence to prove you truly possess these capabilities.

In any good essay, we need a reason to believe you have the skills and strengths you claim to possess. The only way to give your reader this evidence is to show rather than tell .

If you try to cram too much in, you simply won’t have the word count to fully justify all your strengths, resulting in a shallow, ineffective essay that will fall short of selling you to elite

Example MBA essay questions on achievements

So now that you’ve thought about your best achievements and know how to present them, what types of MBA essay questions can you actually expect to answer this way?

Though there are many schools that ask about your greatest hits, one of the schools that solicits an achievements essay most directly is INSEAD .

INSEAD’s Motivation Essay 2 asks you to “ Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned. (approximately 400 words) ”

Considering that you’re tasked with presenting the achievement of which you are the proudest , you must be absolutely certain that you are choosing an example that shows the admissions committee your most relevant positive attributes.

Choosing a relatively recent example (unless you really have a show-stopper from earlier in your career) is also generally preferable.

Furthermore, since you’ll need to discuss one failure, one achievement and what you learned from both in just 400 words, it’s extremely important to stay focused on one achievement and use the STAR method to quickly yet efficiently guide the reader through your essay.

For more info on how to write INSEAD essays in a manner that secures your place in their highly-coveted 1-year MBA, check out our INSEAD essay analysis !

Unlike INSEAD’s direct question, these schools’ essays can be thought of achievements essays in disguise!

Though Harvard changes its essay prompt each year, the core directive year after year is to show the admissions committee who you are and what you can contribute to the HBS community by discussing your previous achievements.

Let’s take their 2017-2018 essay question , for example.

(SOURCE: Harvard Business School)

Though you may be tempted just to reiterate your CV, this essay works best when you choose a clear theme and present various related achievements in your life to prove your thesis.

For example, a recent client who came from an underprivileged background and beat the odds to land a top consulting job before moving to government centered his essay around dreaming big and turning these dreams into a reality.

He then told stories of how he was the first of his family to attend an elite university, how he partnered with the Chilean government to overhaul their healthcare programs, and finally, how he reshaped his state governor’s entire internal transportation strategy to free up resources and redirect them towards initiatives that benefited the needy.

In the end, he had presented a compelling case that captured the admissions committee’s attention.

Other examples of this type of open-ended achievements essay include Stanford’s notorious “ What matters most to you and why? ”

TOP TIP : For the HBS and Stanford essays mentioned above, you will need to break the “1-story” rule and will instead choose several complementary stories to highlight multiple accomplishments. All stories should be told using the STAR method and should reinforce your personal brand.

4.3. Reapplicant Essays

Perhaps you applied to business school last year but weren’t quite able to turn land a spot at your dream school.

That doesn’t mean you should give up on your business school dream! We have worked with numerous reapplicants who have secured spots at Harvard, Columbia, and other elite MBA programs only the second time around .

As a reapplicant, however, you need to be conscious of the fact that you have a unique challenge that first-time applicants do not. First and most importantly, you must reflect on why you were not admitted the first time around.

Though there are many factors that go into play, some of the most common reasons a candidate is dinged are: a low GMAT, a lack of clearly-defined goals, and a failure to demonstrate fit with his or her target school.

As such, throughout your application, you must focus on showing the admissions committee how you have grown and evolved as a person and professional since your last application.

One of the most appropriate places to do so is in your reapplicant essay.

Let’s take a look at Columbia Business School’s prompt for reapplicants (especially critical given the fact that this is the only essay CBS allows reapplicants to submit).

The question states:

The question is perfect in its clarity. Columbia wants you to get to the point, showing them how you have grown and what your short term and long term goals are.

Though not all business schools ask the question in exactly the same way, your task is the same: show them the “new and improved you.”

Keep reading for our top tips on how to write this essay (including past successful essay) in the next section.

What does a “good” optional essay include?

When writing your reapplicant essay, you should keep the world “delta” in mind.

Defined as the “ an increment of a variable ,” in your application, delta should be defined to mean the difference between old you and new you.

Though there are many ways to demonstrate “delta,” some of the most effective in a reapplicant essay include:

• A higher GMAT score
• Clarified or refined goals
• Additional leadership or managerial responsibilities at work
• Additional international experience
• New or additional community service experiences
• Any other changes or improvements that will enhance your ability to contribute to the diversity of an elite MBA classroom

Let’s take our client Pedro for example.

The year before putting the Ellin Lolis Advantage to work for him, he had submitted an application to Columbia Business School that, among its greatest flaws, did not state coherent goals. Though Pedro had built a strong finance career, he focused his post-MBA goals in his first application on launching an art gallery.

For the admissions committee, it was a bit too much of a jump, and Pedro was dinged without interview.

After coming to us and critically reviewing his application , we developed a new line of attack that leveraged his company’s desire to sponsor his MBA and then give him a leading role in expanding the company’s regional presence.

Furthermore, we focused on showing how he had sought to grow as a leader both at work and in the community to really reinforce the value he could bring to Columbia.

Here’s how he did that:

“Not being admitted to the Columbia MBA was a big failure for me, though I can now see it was important, as it helped me realize what passion to follow, where I needed to improve, and what I needed to do to accomplish these things. Thus, I took steps to come closer to reaching my goals.

After going through a process of self-reflection and talking to many people, including the president of BANK, I realized that the bank has many opportunities for development, and not just in Brazil. BANK’s expansion throughout Latin America will require home-grown talent that is able to implement our DNA in a way that is compatible with local cultures and business practices. I want to play an important role in this process in two different ways. By acting as a connector, I will establish relationships with local players and open new markets to Brazilian companies. By building the adequate organizational structure, I will help prepare and manage our future leaders in this task.

Having decided on my goals, I started working on my own development. Professionally, I improved my negotiation skills when helping clients avoid default in the current economic environment. Although I still don’t directly manage people, I formally took art in the bank’s institutional recruiting and coaching of interns. Additionally, I engaged in two external consulting projects to restructure the bank’s commercial department. These projects gave me greater insight into the areas of general management and organizational planning.

Although I decided not to pursue the arts as a career, it remains a strong passion of mine. Therefore, I have continued to run and improve my volunteer organization “Integrarte,” which takes underprivileged children to museums to increase their interaction with art. Recently, I have taken steps to add an arts education component to the initiative and have been developing a methodology to scale the project with NGOs using a feasible, low-cost model. I believe that combining business skills with an inner passion for arts can help me continue to share this passion with others.

Now that I am sure where I am going, the Columbia MBA is even more essential to enable me to thrive. I am looking forward to hearing Carlos Brito talk about the challenges of transforming a local company into a global giant. Also, attending classes such as “The Future of Financial Services” and “Napoleon’s Glance” will help me better understand the financial industry and improve my decision making skills for the future. Outside of the classroom, I am excited to participate in the Arts and Culture Club and am interested in organizing a trip to Inhotim in Brazil to explore the combination of arts and social empowerment.

Lastly, I also expanded my network of contacts, getting in touch with CBS alumni and current students, such as Gabriel Adde, a close friend of mine. This enabled me to get to know the school even better and has only reinforced that Columbia is the best possible fit for my post-MBA goals, as it is the only school that provides the combination of learning specific concepts of finance from top-level faculty and contact with people from all of the globe in a city where the cultural and professional possibilities are truly limitless.”

In your own reapplicant essay, you should similarly discuss how you have overcome any weak spots in your application and provide evidence that reinforces your strong interest in your target MBA program.

With those elements in place, you should be well on your way to reaching your long-awaited goal of attending an elite business school.

4.4. Optional Essays

In the past, the optional essay section was extremely open-ended, with questions like LBS ’s 2015-2016 question “Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (this question is optional) (300 words). ”

This type of question was perfect for applicants to highlight another skill, activity, or experience that they wanted to share with the admissions committee but didn’t quite manage to squeeze in anywhere else.

How times have changed!

Not only have essay questions become shorter in general , the optional essay has become almost standardized across business schools.

Take Kellogg ’s optional essay from 2017, for example. The question asks “ If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.)”.

A nearly identical question is used for the optional essay prompt for most of the other top MBA programs.

The change in wording makes it clear that business schools do not want extra essays. They only want to hear about extenuating circumstances .

Considering the fact anything you write will add additional work for your reader and how important it is to follow instructions, truly reflect on whether or not your case needs explaining in an optional essay.

Good reasons to write optional essays include:

• A low GMAT score or poor academic performance
• Explaining your choice of recommenders
• Explaining any gaps or confusing jumps in your work experience
• Any relevant personal circumstances that have greatly influenced your application
• How you have grown as a candidate since reapplying only if the school you are applying to does not have a dedicated reapplicant essay .

Though it’s tempting to fill every box with information about why you are a great fit for your dream school, resist this temptation and make sure, first and foremost, that you follow instructions .

In a word: brevity .

In some cases, the admissions officer reviewing your file has already read more than 1,000 words before getting to your optional essay.

This means that they don’t need to read a novel about why your boss is not writing one of your letters of recommendation.

In most cases, a simple explanation is more than enough to get the point across.

If you need to explain a shortcoming in your application — such as a low GMAT score — you also want to make sure to provide evidence that you are still well-suited to add value to your target school’s MBA program.

For example, despite building a challenging, high-performance career in the financial markets, this applicant’s Quant score on the GMAT exam was lower than ideal.

To show his score was not an accurate reflection of his abilities, he included this optional essay: “First, I would like to address my low GMAT quantitative score. Math has never been a problem for me. As such, I chose to pursue a career in the financial markets, a very quantitative industry. I have been improving my math skills, mainly in statistics and probability, for more than 10 years at university and in my career. I have also done professional courses in derivatives and risk management, and have passed though the first two stages of the CFA certification process. As a result, despite my low score, I strongly believe that I have the quantitative skills necessary to thrive in the Michigan MBA program.”

Though this is slightly on the long side for an optional essay, the candidate had ample evidence to present to offset his less-than-stellar performance. In the end, the essay was enough to earn him an admissions offer.

Finally, be careful where you draw attention.

If your Quant score on GMAT was 50 rather than an elusive, perfect 51, there is no need to explain this. More likely than not, the admissions committee member reading this optional essay will respond with an eye roll.

As such, think carefully about where your application and/or profile may be slightly below average for the school to which you are applying and address only these issues.

4.5. Video Essays

Though many applicants see video essays as a major headache, they have become increasingly popular, with more and more schools adopting the practice each year.

Considering the stress the video essays cause applicants, why do business schools seem to love the practice?

Niki da Silva, former Director of Admissions at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School (the school that started the whole video essay trend) said that the video essay allows the admissions team to screen for different skills and competencies in the admissions process.

That’s because the video format gives the admissions committee the chance to truly “meet” candidates — as well as identify red flags in applicants.

According to INSEAD’s admissions committee, “ The video should be seen as a unique opportunity for you to share your passions, your motivations and who you truly are. The MBA Admissions Committee is interested in obtaining an authentic view of you as a person, to see how you think on your feet and how you convey your ideas. ”

With that in mind, it’s extremely important to make sure you fully understand this component of the application.

How does the video essay work?

Though the specifics vary slightly from school to school, the general elements of the video essay are relatively similar.

In all cases, you will sign into an online platform (most often you will receive the link to access the platform via email after submitting your application).

After signing in, you will receive a set of questions (usually ranging from 2-4) on a variety of topics ranging from why you want to attend a particular school, to ice breaker questions, to standard interview-type questions.

For all schools, the timing mechanism will be slightly different, but you can expect to have between 20-60 seconds to prepare your answer and between 45-90 seconds to deliver your answers.

In all cases, you can not redo questions .

If you’d like to get a head start in preparing for your video essays, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips (including practice questions!) to ensure you perform at your very best.

5. Editing your Essays

How do you make sure your essays are as professional as they can be, that they reflect your personality, and that they are truly unique?

That’s where editing comes in.

But what is editing good for, anyway?

Why do you need to get your MBA admissions essays edited? You may be an excellent writer, or at least a creative and capable candidate. Do you really need to have your essay edited?

Yes. You do.

Anyone can write a good essay. But to write a great one, you need a bit of expertise and focused direction . That’s what editing can provide.

Editing an essay means taking an in-depth look at all of its aspects. This may range from simple grammar (especially if English isn’t your first language) to content itself and beyond towards storytelling techniques and organization. If you are curious, this article from the University of Leicester gives a detailed overview of the significance of editing.

You may be excellent at perfecting some of these aspects – and feel you may not need an editor – but crafting all of them together to create a truly persuasive essay takes expertise that the average applicant should take advantage of.

Think of your favorite book or that magazine article you read yesterday. The authors are both excellent writers, no doubt. Nevertheless, neither one would even think of putting their words to print before it has landed on the desk of an experienced editor. In fact, that author probably did this multiple times before anyone else even read the title.

The point is, all great writers need great editors. Your MBA admissions essay should be no exception.

What does a good editor do?

So, does a good editor just correct mistakes? Shouldn’t anyone fluent in English be able to do that with a quick read?

Of course not.

First of all, an editor does much more than just proofread your essay. Second of all, editing is not a ‘quick read’ kind of process. (If you want more information about the difference between editing and proofreading, the Writing Center of the University of North Carolina provides this comprehensive overview .)

Many types of editing are essential for a successful MBA admissions essay, so let’s take a closer look at them.

5.1. Strategic vs. Traditional Edits

Here at Ellin Lolis Consulting , we concentrate on two types of editing to make your essay the best it can be. We call these technical edits and strategic edits . But what are they, exactly?

Technical editing: The basic ingredients of an MBA essay

Technical editing is probably what comes to mind when you imagine someone else reading your MBA essay. It includes adapting elements like grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, word choice, and word count . However, executing these changes correctly – and comprehensively – is not always as straightforward as it may seem.

These type of corrections guarantee that your essay adheres to the standard use of the English language. On the one hand, technical editing ensures that your readers can understand what you are saying (and sometimes not even being 100% grammatically correct guarantees that!).

As pointed out in this clarifying article by Shana Lebowitz , grammar or punctuation mistakes can often lead to misunderstandings, or simply ambiguous statements – something you obviously want to avoid in your essay.

On the other hand, these adjustments are often what gives your essay that professional touch.

Although the admissions board is not judging you on your language skills, poor use of language could still contribute negatively to their perception of you. You wouldn’t want to give the admissions board the idea that you don’t pay attention to detail just because you use inconsistent capitalization. Not only are such oversights unnecessary, they are easy to avoid in the first place.

Think of technical editing as the basic ingredients to any MBA essay. They are an essential base for a successful recipe. If nothing else, you need to make sure your essay uses language correctly in order to spice it up later.

Strategic editing: the secret ingredient to an outstanding MBA essay

Strategic editing goes far beyond making sure your use of language is simply correct. Instead, it ensures that your use of language is effective . An effective use of language will be what makes your MBA essay stand out to the admissions board.

Strategic editing includes relevance, story shaping, clarity, and targeting the school . In other words, strategic editing focuses primarily on fine-tuning content.

That is not to say it is your editor’s job to come up with a relevant story for your essay. Instead, it is their job to tell you if the story you’ve chosen is appropriate in the first place and how much detail that story should go into.

Strategic editing is like the secret ingredient to your MBA essay recipe. These edits are the spices that will make your readers – the admissions board – remember your essay for being profound and unique.

5.2. Cutting Words

You may find yourself with an essay that is way too long. How can you go about shortening it?

Although this may seem like a challenge, it is one you can overcome. Our editors are very practiced at this, and are glad to help you if you get stuck.

For example, in a recent essay for UCLA Anderson School of Management, one of our clients found herself with an essay of nearly 900 words; the limit for the essay was 500. Using the following strategies, we were able to get her word count down to 486.

Strategy #1: Revisit your stories

The easiest way to reduce word count is to take another pass at each of your stories. Are there any parts that are repetitive? Is there anything that is not essential to the story? Tangents? Searching for these is a good way to drastically reduce your word count.

Strategy #2: Reduce “of” constructions

There are two ways to express possession in English. Take a look at the difference between these two sentences:

“I won the admiration of my supervisor” (7 words) vs. “ I won my supervisor’s admiration” (5 words)

Simply by trading out the “of” phrase here and replacing it with the possessive noun phrase, you can make your sentences shorter.

Strategy #3: Reduce “I think/wish/believe…” phrases

Everything in your essay is authored by you, a fact that is obvious to your admissions board. Beginning sentences with “I think…” phrases are, therefore, unnecessary. Removing phrases like this not only reduces word count, it will also make your statements stronger. Take a look at the following example:

“I believe that Stanford Graduate School of Business will be the key to furthering my professional career.” (17 words)

Now take a look at the sentence with the “I think…” phrase removed:

“Stanford Graduate School of Business will be the key to furthering my professional career.” (14 words)

Strategy #4: Reduce passive voice

You are the center of your essay, so the action should always be focused on you. This means you should avoid being the object of the sentence and passive voice.

Take a look at this example:

“The project was completed by my team in November 2017.” (10 words)

Here, the project is the subject of the sentence and in focus, not your team. Instead, you could bring the focus back to you by phrasing it like this:

“My team completed the project in November 2017.” (8 words)

This is only one example of passive voice and how you can reduce it in your MBA admissions essay, but there are other passive constructions that you can watch for. If you want to learn more about how to avoid passive voice, the University of Toronto offers some insightful writing advice on the topic.

These tips will help reduce your word count while unlocking your MBA essay’s true potential. Not only will their application limit your essay to the most essential information, it will make sure your reader gets an authentic look at the person behind the words.

5.3. A Word on Feedback

Self-reflection of any type is challenging.

It can be a complex task to identify your profile’s strengths and then develop a surgically precise essay to demonstrate how these strengths demonstrate you’d be a great fit for your dream school.

For that reason, feedback on your essays can be a fantastic tool to ensure that your writing is well-structured and compelling.

However, it’s important to carefully consider who you approach for feedback.

Though friends and family members are surely some of your greatest supporters during your MBA process, they may not be the best editors for your application essays.

This is because they are unlikely to know what the school’s are really looking for in terms of values, achievements, and career plans. They can be helpful with more personal essays, like Stanford, and can be a good gauge of how authentic your essay is.

For more specific feedback on how your essay captures what a particular school offers, you may want to share your essay with alumni or current students from that program . They can often cue you in to new offerings that might not be widely publicized and can help you capture the essence of their alma maters .

A word of caution, however. Every person will have a slightly different view on what you should add or change , so make sure to limit the number of people you approach for feedback to ensure your essay doesn’t become a wandering road with no destination.

Finally, although editing may seem straightforward, it involves much more than just touching up grammar and straightening out stray sentences. Technical editing, although important, is not enough to really get your essay into shape .

Instead, it is the combination of technical editing with the more complex strategic editing that will make your MBA admissions essay truly stand out. Taking advantage of both of these is essential for creating an essay that your admissions board will remember.

Of course, there is nothing better than working with a professional. Here at Ellin Lolis Consulting , we have the experience to strategically edit your essay to make it as intriguing, unique, and professional as possible. Contact us today to help you get the ball rolling on your MBA admissions essay.

6. Make Sure your Story Shines

It’s no secret that elite MBAs receive applications from many more applicants than they can admit.

But did you know that Harvard estimates that 80% of it’s 10,000+ applicants are fully qualified to attend?

Considering these stats, it’s not just important that your achievements essays help you stand out from a large crowd of qualified professionals, it is essential that they do so .

Yet crafting the perfect essay is easier said than done.

That’s why many candidates turn to us to help put our 99% acceptance rate and personalized approach to work for them .

Not only can we help you develop a strong personal brand and identify the achievements that will best reinforce your brand, our expert team of editors can also ensure you’re able to turn ideas into essays that cut through the noise and help the admissions committee connect with you and your ideas.

As our client (and Berkeley Haas grad) Kelsey Pecherer said, “I was so impressed with Ellin Lolis Consulting’s eye for detail, and her ability to help me refine my points without losing my voice in the essays. They understand the specific characteristics that each top MBA program is looking for. ”

Want to put the Ellin Lolis Advantage to work for your admissions essays?

With 7 Conditions, Teen Porsche Driver Got Bail On Grandfather's Assurance

Arguing for bail, the teen's lawyers had claimed "his name is falsely implicated... (and if released on bail) will neither tamper with evidence nor try to abscond from jurisdiction of the court".

The Porsche sports car was reportedly being driven at over 200 km per hour.

Two bonds of Rs 7, 500 each and a 300-word essay on road safety - these were some of the bail conditions placed on the 17-year-old Pune boy who was "heavily drunk" and driving his father's Rs 2.5 crore Porsche supercar when he rammed into and killed two people on a two-wheeler.

Seen by NDTV, the Juvenile Justice Board's order lists seven conditions for grant of bail for the teen, whom the police want to charge as an adult given the "heinous" nature of the crime. Apart from requiring a personal bond and a surety, and the essay, the following conditions were also imposed:

• ... will visit the RTO (regional transport office) and study all rules and regulations, present a presentation, and submit the same to the Juvenile Justice Board within 15 days.
• ... will assist RTO officials and study traffic rules for 15 days, and submit a report.
• ... will be referred to external de-addiction counselling (for alcohol consumption).
• ... will consult psychiatrics at Sassoon Hospital (a government medical facility), and submit a report to the Juvenile Justice Board within 15 days.
• ... parent of CCL (child in conflict with law) is directed to keep him present before Juvenile Justice Board as and when required, and keep him away from 'bad company'.

READ |  Bail In 15 Hours For Boy Who Killed 2 With Porsche. Told To Write Essay

Arguing for bail, the teen's lawyers had claimed "his name is falsely implicated... (and if released on bail) will neither tamper with evidence nor try to abscond from jurisdiction of the court". "He is ready to furnish solvent surety... to abide by the conditions imposed on him," his lawyers had said.

Pune teen porsche crash bail copy

The Juvenile Justice Board - criticised for the bail condition and granting release within 15 hours of a horrific incident the deceased's family called "murder" - also noted the boy's grandfather's "assurances", including ensuring the boy concentrates a "vocational course useful for his career".

The Juvenile Justice Board, therefore, said "... it is just and proper to release" the boy on bail.

The 17-year-old boy was out with two friends to celebrate clearing his Class 12 exams.

Apart from illegally driving the Porsche (he is four months shy of 18, the minimum legal age to drive a car), the boy and his friends were served alcohol by a city establishment, identified as Cosie Bar.

The bar and the boy's father have both been charged; they face police cases under Section 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which deal with wilful neglect of a child and providing liquor and/or narcotics to an underage person, unless prescribed by a medical professional.

The father was arrested Tuesday night after the cops thwarted an elaborate escape plan that involved multiple cars driven to multiple locations in an effort to throw off the authorities.

READ |  How Pune Teen Driver's Father Was Caught By Police

His lawyer, however, has scoffed at the arrest and told NDTV the most crucial point - whether the police have proof the father had knowledge of the son's activities - could not be proven.

READ |  "Do Cops Have Proof?" Pune Teen's Lawyer On Case Against Father

The bar that served the boy liquor has been sealed by the state's Excise Department.

READ |  Pune Bar Where Teen Drank Before Killing 2 With Porsche Sealed

This was after CCTV footage from the establishment showed the boy being given alcohol.

The boy - whom the police want to try as an adult, and have moved the Juvenile Justice Board for permission to do so - faces charges under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which criminalises drunk driving. If convicted, the teen could get a six-month jail term and an Rs 10,000 fine.

READ |  Drink Driving Charge Against Pune Teen Who Killed 2 With Porsche

More significantly, he could also face charges under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code.

This amounts to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. This charge, however, can only be made if the boy can be tried as an adult. A decision on this appeal is expected later today.

NDTV Explains |  Charges Against Pune Builder, Son Who Ran Over 2 With Porsche

Speaking to NDTV on Tuesday, Pune Police chief Amitesh Kumar said a "watertight case" is being made , and added, "... we are saying he had the knowledge his rash act was likely to cause death."

According to witnesses, the accident took place at 2.15 am. The speeding Porsche - reportedly driven at 200 km per hour - rammed the bike driven by Aneesh Awadhiya and carrying Ashwini Costa, both 24 years old. Witnesses said Ms Costa was thrown 20 feet in the air and Mr Awadhiya was flung into a parked car.

After colliding with the bike, the car hit the pavement and came to a stop.

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Ms Costa's family has demanded the boy's bail be cancelled.

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