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Find what to cut from an over-limit college supplement

Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Your 'Why this college?' supplement is 185 words and the limit is 150. Get exactly 3 numbered suggestions for what to cut, each quoting the first 4 words of the sentence or phrase to cut and giving a reason under 12 words, plain text. No rewritten sentences, and never suggest cutting the two specific details your counselor said to keep.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking to make it shorter. The AI rewrites the whole essay to fit, and then it isn't in your voice. Try: Say: "Don't rewrite. Just tell me what to cut."
  • Not saying how many suggestions. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more suggestions than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered suggestions."
  • Not saying how to point. Without quotes, "cut some filler" doesn't tell you which sentence. Try: Add: "Quote the first 4 words of each sentence to cut."
  • Cutting the best parts. The AI may cut the long, specific sentences because they're longest. Try: Add: "Never cut the Lund seminar or Coastal Field Station details."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each reason: "reason under 10 words."
  • Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in your notes. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Says not to rewrite it
  • Says how many suggestions
  • Asks to quote what to cut
  • Protects the key details
  • Sets a length limit

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