Word Limit??!!

usuallystressed

hey guys,

is there a word/character limit for the p.s.? I have no idea!! Any advice much appreciated!! :smile:

Thanks
C-x

Reply 1

snivellus

I think it's 300-500 words, I dunno the exact limit...

Reply 2

KateSm

not really. just a space on the form to fill in- look on the UCAS website.I think u can fit about 500 words, but im not sure.

Reply 3

KateSm

Actually it's 4000 characters, 50 lines of text with 80 characters in each line. I think u have to write in size 12, as well- found it on UCAS

Reply 4

Cirsium

You have to write in 12pt Times New Roman if you do it online (which is by far the more sensible option)
I was pretty sure it was 47 or 48 lines - but if Kate has checked the website then they may have extended slightly for this year.
Be aware that the print margins on the form and in a Word Document are different grrr

When you first write the statement it will be a MILE over. Your first draft is likely to be more like a page and a half. Don't worry - we'll help you cut it down. Put in everything you want to and revise it later - you can make it a lot more concise without removing content

Reply 5

Infinity_Kev

copy and pasted from my ucas apply page

You have used 44 of 47 line(s) based on the preview and 3069 of 4000 characters.

Reply 6

KateSm

Maybe im wrong then. But I think they changed it for 2006- it does say you can use up to 50 lines of text.
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/apply/applying_online.pdf

Reply 7

Geminus

KateSm

Maybe im wrong then. But I think they changed it for 2006- it does say you can use up to 50 lines of text.
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/apply/applying_online.pdf

Yeah I read that before we got access to Apply, but on Apply it does tell you that you have so many lines left out of 47. Pretty stupid really, conflicting infromation from UCAS!

Reply 8

Geogger

normally 47 lines of text with 1.5 cm margins and size 12 font. Aime for that as a maximum and you won't go wrong. Most people waffle for their first 3 drafts anyway, get the prose nice and tight!

Reply 9

kitsune

Last year my PS had 621 words but 48lines and 3750 caracters! So dont worry much about the words!

Reply 10

Allyria

Does anyone know whether the character limit includes spaces? This may sound trivial, but is not - it makes a big difference :wink:

Reply 11

leannemarie

Yes it does include spaces.

there isn't a "word" limit...more like a "space" limit.

it's about 3/4 of an A4 page for Times New Romans Font 12. Although some people do push it for Font 11 (like me :redface:

). The trouble is UCAS shrinks your application, so the font can't be too small or else the admission tutor would probably need to read your PS with a magnifying glass...or worse chuck it down the bin out of frustration.

Reply 14

kitsune

so if you put font 11, they dont care? :eek:

Reply 15

eurasianfeline

Online if you use font 11 they'll reformat it for you.

On the paper copy there's a bit more opportunity to change the font size/layout - so long as it fits in the box and can be read when reduced from A3=>A4 then it's allowed.