How long is your personal statement?

[Ryan123]

Mine is a bit longer than the standard two double spaced pages but I'm not sure how ad coms will take that.  I think it's good and I need that space to make my point come across. Anyone else go over the two page ideal? Is this common?

[mer7]

I was going to ask the same thing. Is two pages and a few extra lines ok?

[SilentSwirl]

A few lines over the maximum is not going to make-or-break your application.  Just be sure that those last few lines are really needed. And be aware that if yours is the last one they read after 30 others, those extra few lines could really annoy them if they werent really necessary. Mostly, I think you're fine.

[Brito]

Mine is a bit longer than the standard two double spaced pages but I'm not sure how ad coms will take that.  I think it's good and I need that space to make my point come across. Anyone else go over the two page ideal? Is this common?

Exactly 2 pages (11.5 point, 1.5" margins, double-spaced) for schools that limit it to two, and about 2.7 (12 point, 1.5" margins, double-spaced) for those that don't.

[bass]

12 pt, 1" margins, exactly 2 pages.

bravo

[chewy06]

1.5 pages, 12pt, 1"

[FossilJ]

Whatever.  Do what you feel is right.  Be aware, though, that if a school stipulates it wants two pages, adcomms are going to be f-ing annoyed if you're giving them 2.5.

[austin]

2 pages exactly, 12 pt TNR, standard margins, 655 words.

[jer]

Whatever.  Do what you feel is right.  Be aware, though, that if a school stipulates it wants two pages, adcomms are going to be f-ing annoyed if you're giving them 2.5.

zactly
if you apply to a program that states the guidelines, and you go over,
they very well may simply toss your ps and move on.
i've heard from more than one DoA that it annoys them to no end when they are reading through stacks of files and come across applicants who try to game the system and reduce their font down to 8pt TNR or go over the page limit.
much like they compare gpa/lsat combos to compare apples to apples,
you are getting an unfair advantage by going over the alloted space, while other applicants follow the guidelines to get their point across.

how i dealt with it....
i focused on trying to highlight my writing ability in the PS,
then used the DS more to get to the points i couldn't fit into my PS

[gocanes]

2 full pages, size 12 font, 653 words

the people on those committees read anywhere between 50 and 200 personal statements. my best advice would be to use their time and not abuse it with a longer essay