Application Essay Checker
Check Common App, UC, UCAS and custom application writing limits while keeping your drafts private in your browser.
Common App First-Year Personal Essay
2026–2027650 words is a maximum, not a target.
0 / 650 words
Not started
Minimum 250 · Maximum 650
OneDo Hub count. Always confirm the final count in the application portal before submitting.
Drafts stay in your browserNo accountNothing written for you
How to use Application Essay Checker
- 1
Choose Common App, UC first-year, UC transfer, UCAS or a custom supplement.
- 2
Write or paste each response and watch the words or characters remaining.
- 3
Run the repetition check and paste preview, then copy plain text into the portal.
Where the limits come from
Each preset is checked against the organization's own website and shows when it was verified, with a link to the official source. If a preset hasn't been re-verified for the current cycle, it says so instead of calling it the current requirement. Exact question wording stays on the official sites.
How OneDo Hub counts
Characters include spaces, tabs and line breaks, counted as visible characters. Words treat don't, student's and state-of-the-art as one word each, count numbers as words and split at em dashes. Portals may count slightly differently, so always confirm the final count in the application before you submit.
Disclaimer
OneDo Hub isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Common App, the University of California or UCAS. Names are used only to identify which application format a preset follows. This tool doesn't write, score or grade essays.
Privacy
Your essay text, prompts, college names and saved versions stay in this browser. With Remember on this device turned on they're kept in local browser storage; turned off, only for this tab session. Nothing you write is sent to OneDo Hub or any writing service. Delete local draft removes everything for that application.
Supported formats
Paste or type your text, or import a plain .txt file. Copy for application puts plain text on your clipboard; you can also download a .txt backup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Common App essay word limit?
For 2026–27 the personal essay allows 250 to 650 words. 650 is a maximum, not a target.
How long are UC Personal Insight Questions?
Each answer can be up to 350 words. First-year applicants answer 4 of 8 questions; transfer applicants answer 1 required question plus 3 of 7.
How many characters is the UCAS personal statement?
From 2026 entry it has three questions, each needing at least 350 characters, with 4,000 characters in total including spaces.
Will my count match the application portal exactly?
It's usually very close, but portals don't publish their exact counting rules. Always check the count once you paste your text in.
Does this tool write or score my essay?
No. Your writing stays your own. There's no essay generator, score or AI detector.
Where are my drafts saved?
Only in this browser on this device. There's no account and nothing is uploaded.
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