How long was your aplication essay, if you wrote one?

arciedee · Sep 28, 2007

I think mine may have been around one page (single spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman). Our only guidelines regarding length were "brief but careful." I remember when I wrote mine feeling that there were so many things I wanted to say about why I should be part of the program, what brought me to nursing, etc., but it was just too long and I realized that while a story may have had personal significance for me a stranger would look at it and say, "So what?" and I needed to pare it down to a more readable length.

I would continue writing out everything you want to say, but then reread your words with a critical eye as to where the real meat of what you want to say lies. I find it helpful (if I'm organized enough to not be doing something the day it's due) to put it away for a day or two and come back to it later with a less weary and less sentimental eye.

Happy writing!

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Sep 28, 2007

I had a single page double spaced 12pt font paper. It basically summarized the path that led me to nursing, and finally to pursue a graduate degree. I usually write WAY too much the first time, then go back over it, try to polish it and make it more eloquent, at the same time trimming it down.

shortcake15 · Oct 3, 2007

i'm working on my apps right now and the length of my statement depends on the school. with ucsf, they said no longer than 2 pages double spaced 12pt font so that is what i did. with upenn, they didn't say it had to be double spaced, only that it had to fit into one page per each essay question (and there were 2) so I wrote one page single-spaced for each.

definitely have people read it over and edit it for you. the best thing is to just write out everything you want to say first and then pick it apart later. when i first started writing my ucsf essay, it was 3 pages 1.5 spacing, 11.5 font! eventually, everyone who edited my essay helped me whittle it down and made it more concise to fit within 2 pages. good luck!

lananp · Oct 4, 2007

Hi shortcake! Did you finish your application for ucsf already? I am about to start one for Virginia Commonwealth Uni.

About the essay: Mine was 2p. and 1/3 for UCSF. They said approximately 2 pag., but I went little bit over. I think there will be no problem.

i'm working on my apps right now and the length of my statement depends on the school. with ucsf, they said no longer than 2 pages double spaced 12pt font so that is what i did. with upenn, they didn't say it had to be double spaced, only that it had to fit into one page per each essay question (and there were 2) so I wrote one page single-spaced for each. It would be 2 pag. but I added a paragraph why I want to study in UCSF.
To how many schools you guys are going to apply?
Anyhow, good luck!
definitely have people read it over and edit it for you. the best thing is to just write out everything you want to say first and then pick it apart later. when i first started writing my ucsf essay, it was 3 pages 1.5 spacing, 11.5 font! eventually, everyone who edited my essay helped me whittle it down and made it more concise to fit within 2 pages. good luck!

lananp · Oct 4, 2007

Hi shortcake! Did you finish your application for ucsf already? I am about to start one for Virginia Commonwealth Uni.

About the essay: Mine was 2p. and 1/3 for UCSF. They said approximately 2 pag., but I went little bit over. I think there will be no problem.It would be 2 pag. but I added a paragraph why I want to study in UCSF.

To how many schools you guys are going to apply?

Anyhow, good luck!