Essay length - holy crap!

arciedee · Oct 21, 2007

Double-spaced or single-spaced? If double-spaced I would think that you'd probably be able to do it.

That being said, I am somewhat surprised that the school has a minimum essay length. Most programs I have looked into have a maximum length or a request to keep it brief. But regardless, write out your thoughts, and see how long it is. If you have something that you want to expand upon here's your opportunity to do it (a lot of us have had to edit edit edit and cut out all of those things because of length limits). But be careful of adding fluff... try to make sure that everything you include is relevant and interesting and flows.

Good luck... I'm hoping you'll find it easier than you expect!

AtomicWoman · Oct 21, 2007

I'm working on my application to U. Tennessee's nursing school, and I have to write a minimum 3 page essay on my goals, etc! Does this seem really long, or do most schools require this much? I have been formulating my statement in my mind, but I think I'm going to have a hard time stretching it out to 3 freakin' pages!
[banana]Liz[/banana]

yeah, that is quite long, any way you slice it. I've had trouble keeping my essays to the *maximum* length, but that's because they want them to be so darn short! I could write one that long because I tend to be verbose, but the other poster is right, you don't want to have a lot of filler. Think of this essay as your chance to finally explain all those great reasons you've decided to become a nurse, without having to keep it to 750 words! :uhoh21:

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 21, 2007

My guess -- and this is only a guess -- is that they want to see at least 3 pages because they want to assess your ability to address an important topic indepth, which requires deeper analysis and the ability to organize your complex thoughts. They are probably also wanting to see you demonstrate the technical writing ability required to write student papers and case studies.

My suggestion is to break your essay down into sections and think of each section as a short essay in itself -- within connecting sentences to link the sub-topics. Then add an introductary paragraph and a closing statement and you've accomplished your task.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 21, 2007

We did not have to do an essay for our application. But get use to that length. Thats NOTHING compared to essays you will have to write in class. My last one was around 15 pages in APA format.

dilleweed · Oct 21, 2007

I'm not too worried about it, just feel like whining :) .. I've written plenty of papers in my day... I don't know if it's single or double spaced. You have to write it in Word and then paste into a text box, and it says that if it's less than 3 pages or more than 5 pages it won't accept it. Wee ha!

PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2007

3 pages may seem like a lot but once you get going you might actually be surprised that you are running out of room. I would prefer to write a longer paper than a shorter one because it is all about being specific and concise... no room for rambling. But it may depend on the type of student you are. When I write papers, I am much more coversational. My friends always laugh at mine because they swear that when they read it, it is like I am sitting right next to them talking.

The way I see it is... they can laugh all they want. I got A's.

Good Luck!! :)

Hoping4RNin2010 · Oct 24, 2007

My application just said, state briefly why you would like to become a nurse. I had a hard time even coming up with something brief. I just do, thats why! lol.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 24, 2007

umm, if you whining about a 3 page essay how do you plan on getting throught the MANY other papers/essays you will have to write throughout college which, more than likely, will have to be more than 3 pages long, oh and lets not forget about those 12 page careplans.

Good luck

Sweetooth

dilleweed · Oct 25, 2007

Thanks for the pep talk. I already have a bachelor's so I'm pretty good at writing papers. Just because I whine doesn't mean I can't do the work.