personal statement word counts

[stargirlxo]

Is it ok for my personal statements to be under the maximum word count? For example, if a school provides you with a maximum of 2000 words and I write 800-1000, does that look bad on my part? Do schools expect you to use up the entire word count because I am having troubling writing more.

Thanks! 

[TobyFlenderson]

800/2000 seems low, and I think it would look short compared to others. I wouldn't inflate it just for the sake of more words, though, so I encourage you to reflect on areas of your statement that would benefit from further explanation in a meaningful way.

You don't need to hit 1999/2000, but it should look like you gave it thought and actually had something to say.

[Turtles]

Quality over quantity, but at the same time, if you can only come up with 800 words to sell yourself despite multiple months to prepare your statement, you're more likely to fall on the side of "not persuasive and doesn't seem to be too interesting" rather than "extremely articulate yet concise, wow this applicant has sold us!".