Eye strain: we get over 2,600 applications each year, with 4 to 5 (sometimes 6) essays each, and every file is read twice. Doing the math, that is approximately 26,000 essays. I’m sure you can agree, that’s a lot to read! We specifically request in our instructions that applicants double-space their essays; however, many of you don’t, and some people further exacerbate the problem by choosing to use teeny-tiny type. It is in your best interest to make it as easy as possible for the admissions committee to read your essays. The less we have to strain to read, the more we can focus on the content of what you have to say. The same goes for essays that go way over the suggested limit of 500 words. While 500 words is not a hard cut off, it is what you should be aiming for. If you go significantly over that length you should be asking yourself if you have made your point in the most clear and concise manner possible. When reading 26,000 essays, it is really frustrating to get ones that are too long.
Remember, a happy reader makes a happy applicant!
Read the full article: A request from my ophthalmologist