Word Limit question

[ILoveNY]

If an application says..

"...brief, typed, double-spaced personal statement, typically not to exceed 500 words..."

then is it really bad that what I have right now is 595? I know that sounds like a really stupid question, but I'm being 100% serious. I'm having a really hard time finding something to cut out of it .. especially 100 words worth!

[prospect]

I think 500 means 500.  Give it to someone else to proofread & suggest cuts. 

[bruin]

I would try to get it close to 500 words. I don't think that being at exactly 500 words is critical, but you should certainly try to cut a bit out.

[kernelgt]

I agree with previous posts.  Brevity is a virtue and they are testing your abilities in conciseness.  After reading hundreds of apps, I'm sure they know what 500 vs. 600 looks like.  Of course, they said "typically" not to exceed 500 words...if you were at 520 or 530 I wouldn't sweat it.

[ILoveNY]

Awesome .. thanks guys.  I got it down to 502 by some miracle, so I'm leaving it at that