Those students applying for early admission to UVA submitted their materials last week. Doubtless, many sent their information via Common Application, an online admissions program that is used by hundreds of colleges, and recently began capping admissions essays at 500 words.
According to its admissions page, UVA "is an exclusive user of the Common Application." Students who have no internet access are allowed to apply with a printed application, but the university’s website warns students that "we are a paperless office and submitting documents by mail is not recommended."
What does it mean for verbose students? Potentially, nothing. According to the New York Times, essays that exceed the 500-word limit are not singled out by the program. Matt Flegenheimer leads an interesting discussion at the NYT about the pros and cons of the limit, from student anxieties and unclear stakes to a statement from the Common Application executive director that, basically, some people complained that student essays got too long. He also dissects his own edited story to demonstrate how to winnow longer essays.
Although, an admissions essay could be as good a time as any for an aspiring UVA student to consider the Honor Code…