Nomination Essays

[EastRound]

I am currently applying for a nomination from the office of Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy.
Senator Rubio's online application requires 6 essays with a maximum of 5,000 words each.

Does this mean I should be writing near 5,000 words for each essay?
I am almost done with all 6 essays and the total word count is about 3,000 words.

Should I be making these essays longer?
Every essay I've written so far is 4 paragraphs or more.

 

[kinnem]

Just one man's two cents... but if my math is correct you're allowed 30,000 words max. 10% of that makes it seem like you didn't give it the effort it deserves but that just opinion. I don't think you have to hit 5,000 words on each essay. Like j said, just an opinion as I've no idea what the nom sources are actually looking for.

 

[Capt MJ]

More is not always better.
If:
- you have answered the prompt to your satisfaction
- your essay is beautifully organized and flawlessly written
- it is a truthful and unexaggerated expression of your thoughts and deeds
- it flows well and ends at a logical place

You’re done. No need to pad up to the final word count, but don’t be so brief it seems you didn’t put the work in. Edit, pause, edit, pause, polish, check and re-check, have trusted readers review. Read it out loud to siblings or a good friend. If they start rolling their eyes or laughing, you will know you have toggled the hyperbole button the wrong way. Think carefully about phrases such as “All my life I have wanted to...”

For those who have a character count, be sure you know if spaces are counted.

 

[KB7801]

My DS is also an applicant from Florida. The application for Rubio is 5,000 characters (not words) for each response.

 

[kinnem]

My DS is also an applicant from Florida. The application for Rubio is 5,000 characters (not words) for each response.

That sounds more like it.

 

[Capt MJ]

I am currently applying for a nomination from the office of Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy.
Senator Rubio's online application requires 6 essays with a maximum of 5,000 words each.

Does this mean I should be writing near 5,000 words for each essay?
I am almost done with all 6 essays and the total word count is about 3,000 words.

Should I be making these essays longer?
Every essay I've written so far is 4 paragraphs or more.

Second reply - Occam’s Razor applies!

I decided to look up Senator Rubio’s application form, link below.

Academy Request Form - U.S. Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio

It’s a 5000 character limit to essay-type questions. Not words.

A reminder to all applicants is the entire application process itself also tests for attributes such as attention to detail.

Have fun editing!

 

[EastRound]

My DS is also an applicant from Florida. The application for Rubio is 5,000 characters (not words) for each response.

My mistake.. thanks

 

[WT Door]

Second reply - Occam’s Razor applies!

Occam’s Razor- An explanation that even a Navy Pilot would understand. Short, sweet and simple. I continue to learn on SA forums.

 

[Capt MJ]

I should work it in more often.

 

[T-37IP]

PA-11. The directions were single space, 2 pages. His essays were a page and a bit. They got sent back and they asked him to make them longer. They were well written, and I'm a believer in brevity, but, based on this single experience, aim for close to the limit (word or character).

 

[jaglvr]

PA-11. The directions were single space, 2 pages. His essays were a page and a bit. They got sent back and they asked him to make them longer. They were well written, and I'm a believer in brevity, but, based on this single experience, aim for close to the limit (word or character).

DD just submitted...Hopefully hers are long enough. DH & I gave her a lot of suggestions because she needed that 2nd page.