College Writing

Word count limits, essay tips, and application writing guidance for students.

College writing comes with hard limits: essay caps, supplement prompts, and page requirements that do not care how good your argument is if you are 200 words over. These guides cover word counts for applications, assignments, and academic formatting.

Start with the guides below, then use our word counter to check your draft before you publish or submit.

Common App Essay Word Count: What You Need to Know

The Common App essay limit is 650 words. Here's how to use that space without padding or cutting too deep.

Quick answers

What is the College Writing section?
Word count limits, essay tips, and application writing guidance for students.
How do I count words for my draft?
Paste your text into the free word counter on our homepage. Counts update instantly in your browser.

People also search for