what is too short for a college essay

Ideal College Application Essay Length

Can you go over the Common App length limit? How long should your essay be?

• Essay Samples & Tips
• College Admissions Process
• College Profiles
• College Rankings
• Choosing A College
• Application Tips
• Testing Graphs
• College Financial Aid
• Advanced Placement
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

The 2019-20 version of the  Common Application has an essay length limit of 650 words and a minimum length of 250 words. This limit has remained unchanged for the past several years. Learn how important this word limit is and how to make the most of your 650 words.

Key Takeaways: Common Application Essay Length

• Your Common Application essay must be between 250 words and 650 words.
• Don't assume shorter is better. A college requires an essay because they want to learn more about you.
• Never go over the limit. Show that you can follow instructions and that you know how to edit.

How Strict Is the Limit?

Many wonder whether they can go over the limit, even if only by a few words. What if you feel that you need more space to communicate all of your ideas clearly?

650 words is not a lot of space in which to convey your personality, passions, and writing ability to the people in admissions offices—and the title and any explanatory notes are also included in this limit. The holistic admissions processes of most schools prove that colleges really do want to get to know the person behind your test scores and grades . Since the essay is one of the best places for showcasing who you are, is it worth it to go over?

Most experts recommend adhering to the limit. The Common Application will even prompt its applicants if they exceed the word count to prevent them from going over. Most admissions officers have stated that, while they will read all essays in their entirety, they are less inclined to feel that essays over 650 accomplish what they set out to do. In short: any of the prompts can and should be answered in 650 words or fewer.

Choosing the Right Length

If everything from 250 to 650 words is fair game, what length is best? Some counselors advise students to keep their essays on the shorter end, but not all colleges place the most value in succinctness.

The personal essay is the most powerful tool at your disposal for showing readers your personality without meeting them. If you've chosen a focus that reveals something meaningful about you, you're probably going to need more than 250 words to create a thoughtful, introspective, and effective essay. However, it isn't essential to hit the 650 mark, either.

From the Admissions Desk

"There is no need to meet the full word count [650] if the essay captures what the student would like to share. Visually, you want to make sure the essay looks complete and robust. As a general rule, I would suggest the essay be between 500-650 words."

–Valerie Marchand Welsh Director of College Counseling, The Baldwin School Former Associate Dean of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania

Each of the Common App essay prompts creates different writing challenges, but no matter which option you choose, your essay should be detailed and analytical, and it should provide a window into some important dimension of your interests, values, or personality. Ask yourself: Will the admissions officers know me better after reading my essay? Chances are, an essay in the 500- to 650-word range will accomplish this task better than a shorter essay

In general, the length of an essay does not determine its effectiveness. If you have answered the prompt in its entirety and feel proud of your work, there is no need to stress about any particular word count. Do not pad your essay with filler content and tautologies to stretch it out, and on the flip side, don't leave important sections out in the interest of keeping the essay brief.

Why You Shouldn't Go Over the Essay Length Limit

Some colleges will allow you to exceed the limit set by the Common Application, but you should avoid writing more than 650 words in all cases for the following reasons:

• College students adhere to guidelines : If a professor assigns a five-page paper, they don't want a 10-page paper and you don't have 55 minutes to take 50-minute exams. The message that you send to a college when you write a powerful essay in 650 words or fewer, even when they accept longer submissions, is that you can succeed under any conditions.
• Essays that are too long can leave a negative impression: Essays over 650 may make you appear over-confident. The word counts have been established by experts for a reason and writing more than you are allowed might make it seem like you think what you have to say is more important than other applicants, who have to follow the rules. Avoid seeming self-important by stopping yourself from going overboard.
• Good writers know how to edit and cut : Any college writing professor would tell you that most essays become stronger when they are trimmed. There are almost always words, sentences, and even entire paragraphs that don't contribute to an essay and can be omitted. As you revise any essay you write, ask yourself which parts help you to make your point and which get in the way—everything else can go. Use these 9 style tips to tighten up your language.

College admissions officers will read essays that are too long but may consider them to be rambling, unfocused, or poorly-edited. Remember that your essay is one of many and your readers will wonder why yours is longer when it doesn't need to be.

• The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in 2020-21
• How Long Should Your Common Application Short Answer Essay Be?
• "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• "My Dads" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• Common Application Essay on a Meaningful Place
• Private School Application Essay Tips
• Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude
• Common Application Short Answer Tips
• "Grandpa's Rubik's Cube"—Sample Common Application Essay, Option #4
• College Application Essay - The Job I Should Have Quit
• Common Supplemental Essay Mistakes
• 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem
• Tips for Writing a Winning College Application Essay
• Sample College Admissions Essay - Student Teacher
• Topic of Your Choice: Common Application Essay Tips

Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

Student Stories

Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about personal identity

Get the perspective of a current college student on how she approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about community impact

Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org.

The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
• College Essays
• Early Decision / Early Action
• Extracurricular Activities
• Standardized Testing
• The Rankings

July 8, 2023

College Essay Length: Go to the Maximum Word Count

Previously Published on September 24, 2017:

College applicants should use the real estate offered in college essays to make their case — all of it! If the maximum word count for a college admissions essay is 650 words, applicants should not write 500 words. They should write 650 words — or pretty close to it.

When you’re a real estate developer in Manhattan, and you’re allowed to build twenty-five stories, you don’t construct ten stories and dedicate the rest of the space for the native pigeons of Manhattan. You build up —twenty-five levels. The pigeons have the skies.

And yet even though it seems only logical that college applicants should use all of the allotted real estate to make their case in essays, to tell their stories, to distinguish themselves in super competitive applicant pools, it never ceases to amaze us how many students write essays that don’t come anywhere near the maximum word count. Instead, they leave the space on the table to the disservice of their candidacies.

Students Should Go to the Word Limit in Every College Essay

It’s not as though students only make the mistake of leaving words on the table in their Common Application Personal Statement . They also often do so in their equally as critical supplemental essays.

If Brown University asks applicants to write a 200-250-word essay on how students would take advantage of the Open Curriculum, as the Ivy League school does on its 2022-2023 application, students should not offer them 200 words. College applicants are not interior designers — blank space does not look lovely. They should submit 250-word essays. 

When Brown admissions officers come across an essay that doesn’t come close to the school’s maximum word count, they’re likely to think, “This student doesn’t love our school enough to put in the work to write an essay just for us. She probably wants to go elsewhere.”

And if that thought crosses the mind of an admissions officer, the odds are strong that the same admissions officer is unlikely to offer that student a spot in the incoming class. And, of course, this doesn’t just apply to Brown — it applies to every highly selective institution in America.

Students Should Use the Maximum Word or Character Count in Short Answers Too

We can’t stress enough the importance of taking advantage of the real estate an applicant is afforded in essays to make their case. But don’t be fooled that an essay only means boxes on The Common Application that allow students to include 100 words or more.

After all, many top schools pose short answer questions too. Maybe they’re called short-takes. On the 2022-2023 application, the University of Southern California , for instance, asks applicants to name their favorite movie of all time, their dream job, favorite trip, and favorite snack, among others.

Students should go up to the maximum character count in these opportunities too — and  opportunities  is the apropos word because they’re opportunities to wow admissions officers, present a window into a student’s world and distinguish themselves from other talented applicants. In short, students should not just name their favorite movie — they should say why concisely.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

Related Articles

Using A.I. to Write College Admission Essays

October 13, 2023

Word and Character Limits in College Essays

September 27, 2023

What English Teachers Get Wrong About Writing College Essays

Bragging in College Essays: Is It Ever Okay?

September 26, 2023

What Not to Write: 3 College Essay Topics to Avoid

September 24, 2023

2023-2024 Caltech Supplemental Essay Prompts

September 14, 2023

TOWARD THE CONQUEST OF ADMISSION

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s college counseling,
fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.

Fill out our short form for a 20-minute consultation to learn about Ivy Coach’s services.

• SAT BootCamp
• SAT MasterClass
• SAT Private Tutoring
• SAT Proctored Practice Test
• ACT Private Tutoring
• Academic Subjects
• College Essay Workshop
• Academic Writing Workshop
• AP English FRQ BootCamp
• 1:1 College Essay Help
• Online Instruction
• Free Resources

What is the College Essay? Your Complete Guide for 2023

Bonus Material: 30 College Essays That Worked

The college essay is one of the most important parts of your college application. 

As important as it is, however, it’s very different from the essays you’re used to writing in high school. 

From word count to genre, the college essay is in a category entirely of its own–and one that can be unfamiliar for most students applying to college.

So, what is the college essay? What role does it play in college admissions?

And, most importantly, how do you get started writing an amazing essay?

We answer all of these questions in this complete college essay guide. 

Plus, we give readers access to 30 college essays that earned applicants acceptance into the nation’s top colleges. They’re free and you can grab them below right now!

Download 30 College Essays That Worked

Here’s what we cover in this guide:

What is the College Essay?

• Our Expert Definition
• A College Essay That Worked
• The Essay’s Role in College Admissions

The 7 Common Challenges in Writing the College Essay

• How To Get Started Writing an Amazing Essay — 6 Tips
• Bonus: 30 College Essays That Worked

Most students will use the Common App to apply to U.S. colleges and universities. A smaller number of colleges require students to submit applications through Coalition .

Regardless, both platforms require students to submit a personal statement or essay response as part of their application. Students choose to respond to one of the following prompts in 650 words or fewer .

College Essay Prompts 2022-2023

What do these questions all have in common? They all require answers that are introspective, reflective, and personal. 

Take a look at some of these buzzwords from these prompts to see what we mean:

• Understanding
• Belief / Idea
• Contribution

These are big words attached to big, personal concepts. That’s the point!

But because that’s the case, that means the college essay is not an academic essay. It’s not something you write in five paragraphs for English class. Nor is it a formal statement, an outline of a resume, or a list of accomplishments.

It’s something else entirely.

Our Definition of the College Essay

How do we define the college essay? We’ll keep it short and sweet.

The college essay is a personal essay that tells an engaging story in 650 words or fewer. It is comparable to memoir or creative nonfiction writing, which relate the author’s personal experiences. 

The college essay is fundamentally personal and creative. It is rich with introspection, reflection, and statements of self-awareness. It can have elements of academic writing in it, such as logical organization, thesis statements, and transition words. But it is not an academic essay that fits comfortably into five paragraphs.

Your task with the college essay is to become a storyteller–and, in the process, provide admissions officers with a valuable glimpse into your world, perspective, and/or experiences.

Example of a College Essay That Worked

Take a look at this essay that earned its writer acceptance into Princeton. We won’t take a super deep dive into the components that make it great. 

But we do want to point out a handful of things that align with our definition of the college essay. This essay:

• Tells an engaging story
• Clearly conveys the author’s voice
• Is rich with introspection and reflection
• Provides insight into the author’s character, values, and perspective
• Is not an academic essay or list of accomplishments
• Is deeply personal

It also exemplifies the 7 qualities of a successful college essay .

Here’s the full essay:

“So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.” – Franz Kafka

Kafka, I’m afraid, has drastically overestimated the power of food. And though it pains me to undermine a statement by arguably the greatest writer of the 20 th century, I recognize it as a solemn duty. Perhaps Kafka has never sat, tongue wild in an effort to scrape residual peanut butter off his molars, and contemplated the almost ridiculous but nevertheless significant role of peanut butter in crafting his identity. Oh, did I just describe myself by accident? Without further ado, the questions (and lack of answers, I point out) that I contemplate with peanut butter in my mouth.

When I was three and a half years old, my tongue was not yet versed in the complex palate of my peers, consisting mainly of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. (It did not help my transition into pre-school that I did not speak English, but Russian and that my name, which had been hurriedly switched from Alya to Alex, was unpronounceable to me.) But it is most worth noting that I refused lunch for months, waited at the windowsill with tear-stained cheeks every day unless my mom left law school midday to bring my own comfort food: borscht, katlety, kampot.

I slowly assimilated into American culture, like most immigrant kids. I began to eat the peanut butter sandwiches at pre-school in the presence of my mom, and then did not need her altogether. She must have been elated that I was comfortable, that she could stay at school all day without worrying. She must have been destroyed when I waved her away the first time and told her I did not need her to come anymore.

I realized much later that the Russian food my mother brought me in pre-school made me comfortable enough to learn the language of the children there, to share their lunches, to make friends. Ironically, my Russian culture enabled the rise and dominance of American culture. When my parents wanted to visit their birthplace, my birthplace, Odessa, Ukraine, I rolled my eyes and proclaimed Disney Land, Florida. I rolled my eyes when I spoke too fast for my parents to understand. I rolled my eyes when I checked my mom’s grammar and when she argued with customer service in her thick Russian accent.

Peanut butter, and foods like it, represented not only my entrance into American culture, but the swift rejection of anything Russian that followed. Chicken noodle soup replaced borscht, meatballs replaced katlety, Sunny D triumphed over kampot. I became embarrassed by the snacks packed in my brown paper bag, begged for Cheetos, lime Jell-O cups, and that creamy spread between two damp pieces of Wonder Bread. My American identity tried to eclipse the Russian one altogether.

I realized later still that the identity battle I fought must have been more difficult to watch for my parents than it could have ever been for me to experience. They let me figure myself out, even though it meant I spent years rolling my eyes at them. Though I do not claim to have discovered a perfect balance of Russian and American, I would venture that a healthy start is eating peanut butter for lunch and katlety at dinner.

So, Kafka, I hope that next time a memorable quote comes to mind, you think before you speak. Because when peanut butter cleaves to the roof of my mouth, I think about what it means “to cleave:” both to adhere closely to and to divide, as if by a cutting blow, especially along a natural weakness. And I think about my dual identity, how the Russian side and American side simultaneously force each other apart and bring each other together. I think about my past, feeling a little ashamed, and about my present and future, asking how I can create harmony between these two sides of me. That, Kafka, does not sound like solved questions to me.

Want to read more essays that worked? Download our 30 college essays that earned their writers Ivy League acceptance for free below.

The College Essay’s Role in Admissions

In our post about what college admissions officers are looking for , we outline the Golden Rule of Admissions.

We also define “a student of exceptional potential.” In general, competitive applicants to top U.S. colleges and universities exemplify three pillars:

• Character and personal values
• Extracurricular distinction
• Academic achievement

Admissions officers have a lot at their disposal when it comes to assessing extracurricular distinction and academic achievement. They’ve got transcripts, test scores, resumes, and letters of recommendation. 

But how do they assess character and personal values?

A recent survey of admissions officers revealed some interesting answers to this question.

Source : National Association for College Admissions Counseling

Notice how an overwhelming 87% of officers surveyed reported that they infer character and personal qualities of an applicant from the content of the college essay!

The Common Data Set for individual colleges further supports this notion that officers infer character and values through the college essay, teacher recommendations, and other application components. The CDS for Cornell , for example, reveals that the application essay and character/personal qualities are “very important” in admission decisions.

What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly altered the college application landscape by introducing some serious inequity in the realm of extracurricular activities, academics, and general access. 

Many admissions officers have stressed their focus on character and personal values (more qualitative components) in recent admissions cycles as a result.

Schools are hungry for as much material as possible that they can use to assess students’ character and values! This is one of the reasons why many top colleges require applicants to answer supplemental essay questions — ones in addition to the college essay. These essays can range from 50-650 words, and many colleges have more than one.

For example, Princeton requires applicants to respond to six supplemental essay questions . Here’s one of them from the 2022-2023 admissions cycle:

At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

So how important is the college essay in the application process?

Princeton’s former Dean of Admissions summed it up nicely with this quote about the college essay in a conversation with the New York Times :

Your ability to write well is critical to our decision because your writing reflects your thinking. No matter what question is asked on a college application, admission officers are looking to see how well you convey your ideas and express yourself in writing. It is our window to your world.

Now that you know what the college essay is and how it influences college admissions, let’s discuss the challenges in writing it. This list isn’t comprehensive, but it does compile some of the most common challenges most students face when preparing to write their personal statement.

Challenge #1: The Pressure

The college essay is integral to the college admissions process. It’s only likely to carry more weight in coming admission cycles in the wake of COVID-19 .

There is immense pressure on students to write essays that will make them competitive in admissions! This essay can also very much feel like uncharted territory for students given their lack of experience in the world of personal writing. This pressure can become a veritable roadblock in writing the college essay.

Challenge #2: What’s Introspection?

Successful college essays are deeply personal and full of introspection. We define introspection as reflection on what’s important in your life — values, beliefs, opinions, experiences, etc. It also can have a lot to do with what makes you you .

To some students, introspection might come naturally. To others, it might not! This is understandable. The high school classroom doesn’t necessarily give space for students to reflect on what they’ve learned from certain experiences or what they believe are their core values. However, this is exactly what admissions officers are looking for in essays!

Challenge #3: You Just Don’t Write Personal Essays in School

Most English classes spend a lot of time on the academic essay . But most don’t include many units on writing personal essays or creative nonfiction–if any!

Many students writing the college essay thus face an entirely unfamiliar genre that comes with its own word limit, structure, and style of writing.

Challenge #4: The Word Limit

Both the Common App and Coalition require students to limit their essays to 650 words. That’s a little over a page of writing, single-spaced.

This means that students have to be incredibly concise in crafting their responses. This can be a tall order given what the college essay often includes: big ideas, big themes, and big reflection!

Challenge #5: Choosing a Topic

Given the college essay’s requirements, it can be tough to choose the “right” topic . Should you discuss an extracurricular activity ? Personal experience? An important mentorship figure?

Some students have a wide variety of experiences and personal stories to choose from. Others might feel that they have a limited number.

Challenge #6: Choosing a Structure

Let’s say that you’ve chosen your college essay topic. Now how do you fit it into a concise structure that gives ample air space to what college admissions officers are looking for?

Choosing a structure can be critical for telling your specific story in a compelling fashion. But once again, this is unfamiliar terrain for most students who haven’t really written a personal essay before.

And when we say that structure really is critical for college essay writing, we mean it–we’ve written an entire post on college essay structure .

Challenge #7: Getting Started

Last but not least, it can be incredibly difficult simply to start the college essay writing process. From choosing a topic to writing that first draft, there’s a lot to navigate. Many students also have a lot going on in general when they get around to writing their essays, including AP exams, summer programs , and the chaos of senior fall schedules.

If this sounds like where you’re at in the college essay writing journey, keep reading. We’ve got 6 tips coming up to help you take those first steps.

How To Write an Amazing College Essay – 6 Tips

You’ve learned what a college essay is and the weight it carries in college admissions. You’ve also heard a bit about what makes this essay challenging. Now what?

It’s time to get started writing your very own. 

The following tips are designed to help you begin the journey towards an amazing college essay, regardless of your story, college aspirations, or timeline. Let’s dive in.

Tip #1: Give Yourself Time & Get Organized

Good college essays take time, and we mean time . We recommend that students establish a generous timeline for writing their personal statements. Ideally, students should start thinking about their essays seriously in the spring of their junior year or summer immediately following.

It’s also important to get organized. Create separate documents for brainstorming and free-writes, for example, and clearly mark your drafts based on where you’re at in the writing process.

We also recommend researching supplemental essay prompts for the colleges on your list and keeping track of these–including deadlines and word limits–in a spreadsheet. This is especially important for students applying early.

Tip #2: Practice Introspection

You can start flexing your introspective muscles before writing your essay! Practice journaling, for example, or responding to daily reflective prompts like the following:

• What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
• What is one of your core beliefs? Why is it core?
• What is your best quality?
• What matters to you? Why?
• What challenges you? Why?

The New York Times has even released 1,000 free writing prompts for students that range from identity and family to social life and technology.

With introspection, focus on using “I” as much as possible. This can feel awkward, especially as most English teachers encourage students to avoid using “I” in academic essays. But it’s the key to deep reflection.

You can also check out our post on College Essay Brainstorming or download 30 FREE college essay brainstorming questions right here.

Tip #3: Familiarize Yourself with Personal Writing & Storytelling

Immerse yourself in examples of powerful personal writing and storytelling. A great place to start is by downloading our 30 examples of college essays that earned students Ivy League acceptance or checking out our 11 College Essays That Worked post .

Otherwise, check out memoirs or creative essay collections.

The Moth , a storytelling radio project, is another great resource for students looking to learn more about how people tell personal stories in an engaging fashion. Plus, it’s just plain fun to listen to!

Tip #4: Know What Makes for An Amazing Essay

What qualities do most successful college essays have?

We’ve done the research. A successful college essay is often:

• Introspective and reflective
• Full of a student’s voice
• Descriptive and engaging
• Unconventional and distinct
• Well-written

We take a deeper dive into these 7 qualities of a successful college essay in a separate post.

Tip #5: Review Supplemental Essay Questions

Don’t forget about supplemental essay questions! It’s easy to overlook these or assume that they are less important than the college essay.

But remember–many colleges require supplemental essays as a means of gaining more information about competitive applicants. The Common App and Coalition also now have optional COVID-19 essay questions (learn our tips for answering these COVID-related questions here ).

Don’t save your supplemental essays for the last minute! Review questions well in advance through the Common App or Coalition platform so that you are aware of the other responses you’ll have to write.

We’ve actually compiled the supplemental essay questions for the top 50 U.S. colleges and universities right here.

You can also check out our 8 tips for writing amazing supplemental essay responses .

Tip #6: Work with a Mentor

Yes, it is possible to write your college essay, personal as it is, under the right one-on-one guidance. Mentors can help you with all stages of the college essay writing process, from topic brainstorms to final draft polishing.

They can also help create an actionable timeline for tackling both the college essay and all of those supplements, and hold students accountable!

You can sign up to work with one of PrepMaven’s master essay consultants if you’d like. Or check out our summer College Essay Workshops .

One of the best ways to start the college essay writing process is to look at examples of successful essays. But these examples can be hard to find, and few and far between.

That’s why we compiled 30 college essays that earned their writers acceptance into Ivy League schools. You can download these examples for FREE below.

Kate is a graduate of Princeton University. Over the last decade, Kate has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of the college admissions process, including the SAT, ACT, and college application essay. 

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Essays

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Jordan Sanchez in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Essay length, cohesive writing, reusing essays.

In this post, we discuss mistakes to avoid when writing your college essay . For more information, check out this post about how to write this year’s Common App essays . 

A common college essay mistake is writing an essay that’s too short. For example, the word limit for the Common App essay is 650 words, and you should try as hard as you can to reach that number. A 400-word essay is definitely too short. Make sure you’re using all the words available to you.

If you’re having difficulty meeting the word limit, your essay topic may be too specific. Also, you may not be including enough details or descriptive language. Conversely, if your essay is too long, you may have sections that could be simplified. Look for any areas where the writing may be repetitive or redundant. Consider whether your essay is too broad. Are you trying to cover multiple topics? It can be helpful to break down your essay paragraph by paragraph and ensure that everything you’ve written aligns with the goals of the essay.

Since supplemental essays tend to have low word limits, you can do more telling than showing when writing these. That said, while you don’t want to waste words, if there’s an opportunity to add a bit of personality to a supplemental essay, you should take it. 

Another common mistake is incohesive writing. Cohesive essays are easy and enjoyable to read. If an essay is jumping around and doesn’t have a clear narrative or connection between ideas, it can be distracting. The reader will be wondering what’s relevant and what they should be caring about, which takes attention away from the content and purpose of your essay.

Incohesive writing happens in two major ways. The first is when a writer doesn’t use effective transitions. These show the reader how different ideas are related, and without them, an essay can be disorganized and difficult to understand. Transitions can be as short as one or two sentences or as long as a whole paragraph.

Incohesive writing can also happen when the writer is inconsistent. Your essay should maintain the same tense, point of view, and writing style from beginning to end. Don’t use extremely complicated vocabulary in one paragraph and incredibly simple language in the next. Write in your natural style and voice, and you’ll never go wrong. 

To check the cohesion of your writing, go over your first or second draft and answer the following questions: “What is the main idea of this paragraph? Does it align with the central theme of the essay? How does this relate to the previous paragraph? Do I illustrate the connection here or later in the essay? What point of view is this written in? What about tense? Is it narrative or creative? Distant or close and engaging? Informative or persuasive?” Your answers should be the same or similar for each paragraph. 

It’s crucial to write your essay in the correct form. The Common App essay is similar to a narrative or memoir in that it’s a short personal story. Many students have little to no experience writing in this form, and if you’re one of them, that’s okay, you’re not alone.

Keep in mind that this is not a five-paragraph essay. You won’t have an introduction or conclusion in the traditional sense. Your introduction will be the hook of your essay, whether it comes in the form of dialogue, descriptive language, or imagery. The conclusion will be a short wrap-up, perhaps a few sentences in length. 

The essay isn’t a thought piece either. You shouldn’t be writing something speculative. You want to include specific personal details from your life. This will ground the essay so it doesn’t feel lofty, and it will help the reader get to know you better. 

Not sounding like yourself is a big issue in college essays. The admissions committee is not expecting the most beautiful prose or intelligent language. They want to read an essay by you and about you, so be sure to write your essay in your own voice.

Don’t include words in your essay that you don’t use regularly. You don’t need big, fancy words to impress admissions officers. Your character and your story will impress them for you. In the same vein, your essay should center around who you are today. It’s okay to write about something that happened in the distant past, but the bulk of your essay should be about events that occurred between 10th and 12th grade. Don’t talk too much about your past without connecting it back to who you are today. 

Throughout the college application process, you’ll write several essays, including personal statements and supplements. A few of these essays can be used in applications for several schools, but be careful not to reuse the wrong ones.

Admissions officers can tell when you’re reusing an essay that you shouldn’t. It shows carelessness and a lack of interest in the school and can lower your chances of admission. To avoid this mistake, before writing any of your supplemental essays, copy and paste all the prompts into a single document, and take inventory of how many you’ll actually have to write and how many you can reuse.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, getting college essay help: important do's and don’ts.

College Essays

If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?

If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?

What's Good Editing?

What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.

What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?

Who Can/Should Help You?

Advice for editors.

Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?

The Bottom Line

What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.

Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.

Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."

Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.

Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.

Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.

Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?

Help Brainstorm Topics

Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.

If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .

Help Revise Your Drafts

Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .

Revision questions should point out:

• Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay
• Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention
• Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader
• Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear

But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.

Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.

You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:

• Add material (examples, descriptions) that doesn't come from you
• Use a thesaurus to make your college essay sound "more mature"
• Add meaning or insight to the essay that doesn't come from you
• Tell you what to say and how to say it
• Write sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for you
• Change your voice in the essay so it no longer sounds like it was written by a teenager

Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.

Where's the Line Between Helpful Editing and Unethical Over-Editing?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.

• An editor should say that the opening paragraph is kind of boring, and explain what exactly is making it drag. But it's overstepping for an editor to tell you exactly how to change it.
• An editor should point out where your prose is unclear or vague. But it's completely inappropriate for the editor to rewrite that section of your essay.
• An editor should let you know that a section is light on detail or description. But giving you similes and metaphors to beef up that description is a no-go.

Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.

Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.

Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.

Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).

Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.

A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.

Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:

• If they suggest making major changes to the final draft of your essay. Proofreading happens when editing is already finished.
• If they aren't particularly good at spelling, or don't know grammar, or aren't detail-oriented enough to find someone else's small mistakes.
• If they start swapping out your words for fancier-sounding synonyms, or changing the voice and sound of your essay in other ways. A proofreader is there to check for errors, not to take the 17-year-old out of your writing.

What Do Colleges Think of Your Getting Help With Your Essay?

Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.

On the Importance of Editing

Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )

Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )

On the Value of Proofreading

Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )

Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )

On Watching Out for Too Much Outside Influence

Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )

Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )

Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.

Parents or Close Relatives

Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.

A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?

One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.

Teachers or Tutors

A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.

Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."

If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.

Guidance or College Counselor at Your School

The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.

At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.

Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.

Friends, Siblings, or Classmates

Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .

Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.

You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.

If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.

First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .

Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.

Introduction Questions

• Is the first sentence a killer opening line? Why or why not?
• Does the introduction hook the reader? Does it have a colorful, detailed, and interesting narrative? Or does it propose a compelling or surprising idea?
• Can you feel the author's voice in the introduction, or is the tone dry, dull, or overly formal? Show the places where the voice comes through.

Essay Body Questions

• Does the essay have a through-line? Is it built around a central argument, thought, idea, or focus? Can you put this idea into your own words?
• How is the essay organized? By logical progression? Chronologically? Do you feel order when you read it, or are there moments where you are confused or lose the thread of the essay?
• Does the essay have both narratives about the author's life and explanations and insight into what these stories reveal about the author's character, personality, goals, or dreams? If not, which is missing?
• Does the essay flow? Are there smooth transitions/clever links between paragraphs? Between the narrative and moments of insight?

Reader Response Questions

• Does the writer's personality come through? Do we know what the speaker cares about? Do we get a sense of "who he or she is"?
• Where did you feel most connected to the essay? Which parts of the essay gave you a "you are there" sensation by invoking your senses? What moments could you picture in your head well?
• Where are the details and examples vague and not specific enough?
• Did you get an "a-ha!" feeling anywhere in the essay? Is there a moment of insight that connected all the dots for you? Is there a good reveal or "twist" anywhere in the essay?
• What are the strengths of this essay? What needs the most improvement?

Should You Pay Money for Essay Editing?

One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.

My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.

When to Consider a Paid Editor

In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.

If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)

If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.

If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.

If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .

If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.

Should You Hire an Essay Coach?

On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.

But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.

If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.

Should You Send Your Essay to a Service?

On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.

On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.

Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.

Should You Buy an Essay Written by Someone Else?

Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!

For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )

For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.

Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.

• You should get college essay help with both editing and proofreading
• A good editor will ask questions about your idea, logic, and structure, and will point out places where clarity is needed
• A good editor will absolutely not answer these questions, give you their own ideas, or write the essay or parts of the essay for you
• A good proofreader will find typos and check your formatting
• All of them agree that getting light editing and proofreading is necessary
• Parents, teachers, guidance or college counselor, and peers or siblings
• If you can't ask any of those, you can pay for college essay help, but watch out for services or coaches who over-edit you work
• Don't buy a pre-written essay! Colleges can tell, and it'll make your whole application sound false.

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .

Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .

Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how many paragraphs should a college essay typically have.

I've been working on my college essay and I'm not sure how many paragraphs it should have. Is there a recommended number of paragraphs or does it vary depending on the essay?

Hey there! The number of paragraphs in a college essay can indeed vary depending on the specific essay. However, it's important to focus on clearly communicating your thoughts and experiences in a well-organized manner rather than stressing over the exact number of paragraphs.

A common format for a college essay is a 5-paragraph structure: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This format is just a guideline, though, and you can definitely have more or fewer paragraphs depending on your content and the flow of your essay. My own child used a 7-paragraph structure for their essay, and it worked well for them.

The key is to ensure that your ideas are presented in a logical order and that each paragraph has a specific purpose. If you feel that your essay flows well with, say, 4 or 6 paragraphs, then that's perfectly fine! Sometimes the most successfully essays will abandon a typical essay structure and have many short paragraphs or the essay might be written in the style of a letter, poem, or editorial article. Just try to avoid one big paragraph.

Ultimately, the quality of your writing and the ability to engage the reader are more important than the number of paragraphs. Just make sure you stay within the word limit set by the college! Good luck with your essay!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How much information is too much in admissions essay?

I am applying to GS as a transfer student. I have about a five-year gap in my education, and I (like almost every other applicant, I’m sure) overcame some really big challenges which ultimately led to me going back to school. I know that transparency about these challenges will only help strengthen my case, but I am just wondering where I should draw the line. I am planning on writing about substance abuse, and (possibly) my experience as a sex-worker. I know these topics are taboo and I’m having trouble discerning how much I can really share about my experiences with these things (for example, what substances I abused and what kind of sex-work I did) without it seeming improper. Any advice at all would be helpful.

Your essays should be about things that will make the adcoms want you to be a student at their college. Your essays should not be about subjects that might make them second guess that you are a good match for their school.

I understand why you want to write about these things…but what positive happened that now enables you to consider applying to college. In my opinion, write about that.

We also have a service on this forum where folks will help you with your essays.

Maybe do a draft and have a reader give their honest feedback. Actually…you might try a couple of different essays and see which one the reader feels rises to the top.

https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/follow-these-steps-to-get-free-essay-feedback/3645578

If you intent is to make an impact, you will because they may not like being made to feel very uncomfortable. Improper???Probably. TMI. You’ve gotten through a tough life. I don’t know if you realize that most people haven’t experienced what you want to relate. It may be offensive. There is a reason it is taboo. If you want to risk writing about it, then that’s on you. It could be written in a documentary style. But, don’t be surprised if it’s not accepted the way you intend for it to be accepted. I personally would not risk it.

Agree. A college essay is not meant to be a soul-baring exercise. The purpose of a college essay is to make admissions officers want to have you as a student on campus.

I used to tell students to write the essay with the thought “will the reader want me as their roommate”? Don’t scare them off. Good luck

I can’t speak to what is proper or improper, but I wanted to take a moment to congratulate you on where you are today. You’ve clearly had a tough journey, and you seem to be on the precipice of one that should be rewarding. I wish you all the best.

If accepted, will you be eligible for university housing ?

If so, do you plan to live in university housing ?

How recent were you using and how long ago did you work as a sex worker ?

Thinking about these points may help you to determine how much you want to share in your admission application essays.

That is so kind. Thank you!! A few years ago, I seriously could not have imagined myself where I am today.

I live in the area, so I might not be granted housing. Given the opportunity, I would absolutely love to live on campus. I started doing drugs/drinking/smoking cigarettes in 2015 as a 16 year old. I struggled with stimulant abuse for over 6 years. In 2021 I started stripping, went pretty crazy with coke and ecstasy, and very clearly saw where I was headed. I was nearing bottom and for the first time in my life, I decided to try and swim against the current. In September 2021 I began therapy. By November 2021 I quit my job at the club, ceased all drug use (even quit cigarettes on 12/31/21), and applied to community college. I am almost 2.5 years substance-free. They play a pretty pivotal role in my development as a person and, more importantly, as a student. I am 100% capable of writing a good essay that has nothing to do with either of those things, but I am also tempted to write about them because I know it is a very impactful, awe-inspiring story that would leave the reader cheering me on by the end.

Please re-read the advice above. But ultimately the essay topic is your choice.

After reading the advice, I agree that it might be too inappropriate, uncomfortable, and sensitive of a topic. I’m confident I can still convey the insight I gained from my experiences without having to discuss drug use and sex work.

Obviously it’s your essay and you should write about what you want, but I was just reading a blog post about essay topics written by Sara Harberson (a former Dean of Admissions, now a private college counselor) where she said this:

“I do not recommend writing about learning differences, a student’s own mental health, and eating disorders. Until admissions offices are more transparent, I cannot trust them to treat a student fairly in the process when it comes to a learning or psychological diagnosis.”

She says that in her opinion there is still a lot of discrimination in admissions.

Good luck to you! And congrats on all you have overcome!

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Those Who Preach Free Speech Need to Practice It

Too many leaders, on campus and in government, are failing to uphold the First Amendment rights they claim to champion.

Updated at 9:35 a.m. ET on April 30, 2024

Say you’re a college senior, just a few weeks from graduation. For as long as you can remember—even back in high school, before you set foot on campus—older people have talked about free speech. More specifically, older people have talked about free speech and you : whether your generation understands it, whether you believe in it, whether you can handle it.

After watching some of those same people order crackdowns on campus protests over the past few days, you might have a few questions for them.

Last week, from New York to Texas, cops stormed college campuses clad in riot gear. They weren’t there to confront active shooters, thank goodness, or answer bomb threats. Instead, they were there to conduct mass arrests of students protesting the war in Gaza.

As the legal director of a First Amendment advocacy nonprofit, I teach students across the country that the government can’t silence speakers because of their beliefs, even—and perhaps especially—if those beliefs are unpopular or cause offense. That’s a foundational principle of free-speech law. But many of the crackdowns appear to be a direct reaction to the protesters’ views about Israel.

After sending a phalanx of state law-enforcement officers into the University of Texas at Austin campus, for example, Governor Greg Abbott announced on X that students “joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled.”

Erwin Chemerinsky: No one has a right to protest in my home

But no First Amendment exception exists for “hate-filled” speech. And for good reason: In our pluralistic democracy, everyone has their own subjective idea of what, if any, speech is too “hateful” to hear, making an objective definition impossible. And empowering the government to draw that line will inevitably silence dissent.

At UT, the officers arrested scores of protesters for “ trespassing .” But the students don’t appear to have violated school rules. And you can’t trespass on a place where you have the right to be, as students at the public universities they attend clearly do. Even a cameraman for a local news station was tackled and arrested . The next day, the Travis County attorney’s office dropped all of the trespassing charges for lack of probable cause—a telling indicator of the disturbingly authoritarian response. (Shockingly, the cameraman does face a felony charge , for allegedly assaulting a police officer—an allegation difficult to square with video of his arrest.) The government can’t throw Americans in jail for exercising their First Amendment right to peaceful protest.

Governor Abbott’s illiberal show of force has no place in a free country. It’s especially galling given the governor’s previous posture as a stalwart defender of campus free speech: In June 2019, he signed a law prohibiting Texas’s public colleges and universities from shutting down campus speakers because of their ideology. So much for that.

Governor Abbott isn’t alone. During her congressional testimony earlier this month, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik pledged investigations of students and faculty who voiced allegedly anti-Semitic criticism of Israel and Zionism, and agreed—on the fly—to remove a professor from his position as a committee chair because of his speech.

Michael Powell: The unreality of Columbia’s ‘liberated zone’

Columbia is a private institution, so it isn’t bound by the First Amendment. But the university promises freedom of expression to its students and faculty—and Shafik’s willingness to sacrifice faculty and student rights to appease hostile members of Congress betrays those promises.

If such things had happened only at UT and Columbia, that would be bad enough—but the problem is spreading. At Emory University, in Atlanta, police officers reportedly used tear gas and Tasers against protesters. State troopers with rifles directed toward protesters stood watch on a rooftop at Ohio State University. At Indiana University, administrators rushed out a last-minute, overnight policy change to justify a similar show of force from law enforcement, resulting in 34 arrests. It’s hard to keep up.

Students nationwide are watching how the adults who professed to care about free speech are responding under pressure. And they are learning that those adults don’t really mean what they say about the First Amendment. That’s a dangerous lesson. Our schools and universities could still teach the country a better one.

“Free Speech 101” starts here: The First Amendment protects an enormous amount of speech, including speech that some, many, perhaps most Americans would find deeply offensive. You may not like pro-Palestine speech; you may not like pro-Israel speech. You may think some of it veers into bigotry. The answer is to ignore it, mock it, debate it, even counterprotest it. But don’t call in the SWAT team.

George Packer: The campus-left occupation that broke higher education

Granted, free speech is not without carefully designated exceptions, and these exceptions are important but narrow. True threats and intimidation, properly defined, are not protected by the First Amendment. Neither is discriminatory harassment. Violence is never protected.

And public universities can maintain reasonable “time, place, and manner” restrictions on speech. That means, for example, that for the authorities to place a ban on playing heavily amplified sound right outside the dorms at 2 a.m. likely does not violate the First Amendment. A prohibition on camping overnight in the quad probably doesn’t either. And taking over a campus building, as Columbia students did early this morning , is not protected.

But the enforcement of these rules must be evenhanded and proportionate. The use of force should be a last resort. Students must be given clear notice about what conduct crosses a line. And any student facing punishment for an alleged infringement should receive a fair hearing. Consistency counts. Our leaders—in government, in university administration—must demonstrate their commitment to free expression in both word and deed.

Students are protesting on campuses nationwide, and they’re watching the reaction of university presidents and elected officials closely. The current moment presents a generational challenge: Do older people and people in authority really mean what they say about the First Amendment? Do they believe in free speech—and can they handle it? Right now, too many leaders are failing the test.

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

• Publications
• Our Methods
• Short Reads
• Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

In Tight Presidential Race, Voters Are Broadly Critical of Both Biden and Trump

About half of voters say that, if given the chance, they would replace both candidates on the ballot, table of contents.

• The state of the 2024 presidential race
• Other findings: Biden’s job approval ticks up, Trump’s election-related criminal charges
• Educational differences in candidate support
• What are 2020 voters’ preferences today?
• How Biden’s supporters view his personal traits
• How Trump’s supporters view his personal traits
• Views of Biden’s presidency and retrospective evaluations of Trump’s time in office
• Attention to the candidates
• Does it matter who wins?
• What if voters could change the presidential ballot?
• How important is it for the losing candidate to publicly acknowledge the winner?
• 4. Joe Biden’s approval ratings
• Acknowledgments
• The American Trends Panel survey methodology
• Validated voters

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand voters’ views on the 2024 presidential election, as well how the public views President Joe Biden. For this analysis, we surveyed 8,709 adults – including 7,166 registered voters – from April 8 to April 14, 2024. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for this report , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, American voters face a similar set of choices as they did four years ago – and many are not happy about it.

With the election still more than six months away, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that the presidential race is virtually tied : 49% of registered voters favor Donald Trump or lean toward voting for him, while 48% support or lean toward Joe Biden.

A defining characteristic of the contest is that voters overall have little confidence in either candidate across a range of key traits, including fitness for office, personal ethics and respect for democratic values.

Where Trump has the advantage: More than a third of voters say they are extremely or very confident that Trump has the physical fitness (36%) and mental fitness (38%) needed to do the job of president.

Far fewer say the same of Biden (15% are at least very confident in his physical fitness; 21% are extremely or very confident in his mental fitness). Majorities say they are not too or not at all confident in Biden’s physical and mental fitness.

Where Biden has the advantage: More voters are extremely or very confident in Biden (34%) than in Trump (26%) to act ethically in office. And while 38% say they are at least very confident in Biden to respect the country’s democratic values, fewer (34%) express that level of confidence in Trump. The survey was conducted before the start of Trump’s “hush money” trial in New York City .

( Read more about voters’ views of Biden and Trump in Chapter 2. )

The new Center survey of 8,709 adults – including 7,166 registered voters – conducted April 8-14, 2024, finds large divides in voters’ candidate preference by age, education, and race and ethnicity. As was the case in 2020, younger voters and those with a four-year college degree are more likely to favor Biden than Trump.

Older voters and those with no college degree favor Trump by large margins.

Among racial and ethnic groups:

• White voters favor Trump (56%) over Biden (42%) by a wide margin.
• Roughly three-quarters of Black voters (77%) support Biden, while 18% back Trump.
• Hispanic voters are more evenly divided – 52% favor Biden, while 44% back Trump.
• Asian voters favor Biden (59%) over Trump (36%).

( Read more about voters’ candidate preferences in Chapter 1. )

Most voters who turned out in 2020 favor the same candidate in 2024. Among validated 2020 voters, overwhelming majorities of those who cast ballots for Biden (91%) and Trump (94%) support the same candidate this year. Registered voters who did not vote in 2020 are about evenly divided: 48% back Trump, while 46% support Biden.

A majority of voters say “it really matters who wins” the 2024 race. Today, 69% of voters say it really matters which candidate wins the presidential contest this November. This is somewhat smaller than the share who said this in April 2020 about that year’s election (74%). Nearly identical shares of Biden’s and Trump’s supporters say the outcome of the presidential race really matters.

About half of voters would replace both Biden and Trump on the 2024 ballot

Reflecting their dissatisfaction with the Biden-Trump matchup, nearly half of registered voters (49%) say that, if they had the ability to decide the major party candidates for the 2024 election, they would replace both Biden and Trump on the ballot .

Biden’s supporters are especially likely to say they would replace both candidates if they had the chance. Roughly six-in-ten (62%) express this view, compared with 35% of Trump supporters.

There also are stark age differences in these views: 66% of voters under 30 say they would replace both candidates if they had the chance, compared with 54% of those ages 30 to 49 and fewer than half (43%) of those 50 and older.

( Read more about voters’ feelings toward the upcoming election in Chapter 3. )

Evaluations of the Biden and Trump presidencies

• 42% of voters overall say Trump was a good or great president, while 11% say he was average. This is a modest improvement since March 2021, two months after he left office.
• 28% of voters say Biden is a good or great president, while 21% say he is average. These views are mostly on par with June 2020 assessments of the kind of president Biden would be – but today, a smaller share of voters say he is average.

( Read more about ratings of Biden’s and Trump’s presidencies in Chapter 1. )

• Biden’s approval among the general public: Today, Biden’s approval rating sits at 35% – roughly on par with his rating in January (33%). His job rating has climbed slightly among Democrats over that period, however. Today, 65% of Democrats approve of him – up 4 percentage points since January. ( Read more about Biden’s approval rating in Chapter 4. )
• Conceding the presidential election: A majority of voters say it is important that the losing candidate in November publicly acknowledge the winner as the legitimate president. But Trump’s supporters are far less likely than Biden’s to say it is very important (44% vs. 77%).  ( Read more about voters’ views on election concession in Chapter 3. )

Trump’s criminal charges related to the 2020 election

As Trump faces charges that he sought to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election, 45% of Americans say they think Trump’s actions broke the law. This compares with 38% who say his actions did not break the law – including 15% who say his actions were wrong but not illegal, and 23% who say he did nothing wrong. Nearly two-in-ten are not sure.

Democrats mostly say Trump broke the law; Republicans are more divided. An overwhelming majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (78%) say Trump’s actions in seeking to change the outcome of the 2020 election broke the law. 

Among Republicans and Republican leaners:

• 49% say Trump did nothing wrong.
• 21% say he did something wrong but did not break the law.
• 9% say Trump broke the law.
• 20% are not sure.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Fresh data delivery Saturday mornings

Sign up for The Briefing

Weekly updates on the world of news & information

• Donald Trump
• Election 2024
• Partisanship & Issues
• Presidential Approval
• Voter Demographics
• Voter Participation

Voters’ views of Trump and Biden differ sharply by religion

Changing partisan coalitions in a politically divided nation, about 1 in 4 americans have unfavorable views of both biden and trump, 2024 presidential primary season was one of the shortest in the modern political era, americans more upbeat on the economy; biden’s job rating remains very low, most popular, report materials.

• April 2024 Biden Job Approval Detailed Tables

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

• Age & Generations
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Economy & Work
• Family & Relationships
• Gender & LGBTQ
• Immigration & Migration
• International Affairs
• Internet & Technology
• Methodological Research
• News Habits & Media
• Non-U.S. Governments
• Other Topics
• Politics & Policy
• Race & Ethnicity
• Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy

NFL draft grades: Every pick from 2024 rounds four through seven

Day 3 of the NFL draft starts with the Carolina Panthers on the clock with pick No. 101. The Panthers traded up for their first pick, taking WR Xavier Legette from South Carolina with the No. 32 pick.

Here's how the NFL draft will shape up during Saturday's final day: The fourth round will feature 35 picks, while the fifth will have 41, the sixth will have 44 and the seven will have 37, ending with the 257th and final selection.

Here are USA TODAY Sports' 2024 NFL draft grades for every pick in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

2024 NFL draft grades: Every pick in fourth round

101. carolina panthers, ja'tavion sanders, te, texas, grade b+.

Carolina continues to surround quarterback Bryce Young with talent in this draft. Sanders offers a big body with 4.6 speed to upgrade the pass catchers. He'll need to improve his blocking but offers great value as an F tight end at the top of the fourth round.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

102. Denver Broncos (from Washington Commanders via Seattle Seahawks), Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon, Grade B-

Franklin reunites with college teammate Bo Nix in Denver . He's a vertical threat with 4.4 speed and reliable hands that he showed off with the Ducks. He'll be a field-stretcher but there are concerns about his size at 6 feet, 1 inch and just 176 pounds, making him one of the leanest wide receivers in the class.

103. New England Patriots, Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M, Grade C+

New England bolsters its offensive line again in the fourth round with one of the longer guards in the draft. Robinson has some of the longest arms and biggest hands in the class. His aggressive play style will be a boost in the running game but he's more of a project in pass protection. He's at least a good depth piece for the Patriots to start his career.

104. Arizona Cardinals, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech, Grade A-

Nicknamed "Rabbit," Taylor-Demerson was one of the more productive safeties in college football during his time with the Red Raiders. He led Texas Tech in interceptions for the last three years and had 33 career passes defended. His speed and instincts make him another good addition to the Cardinals' defensive backfield.

105. Los Angeles Chargers, Justin Eboigbe, DT, Alabama, Grade B-

Eboigbe has the size (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) to greatly improve the Chargers' run defense early in Los Angeles. His length and motor make him a potential option rushing the passer. There are medical concerns, though, as Eboigbe missed most of 2022 with a season-ending neck injury. So long as his medical tests check out, he offers plenty of upside.

106. Tennessee Titans, Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina, Grade A

Gray led all Power 5 players in tackles over 2022-23 with 279. He's athletic, aggressive and smart, finding a way to the ball consistently. He's one of the better linebackers in this class and getting him this late is a great value selection for the Titans. He could at least contribute on special teams immediately.

107. New York Giants, Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State, Grade B

Johnson is one of the best size-speed-athleticism prospects at the position in the draft. At 6 feet, 4 inches and 247 pounds, he ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and posted the fastest shuttle time in the class among tight ends. He'll need to improve his blocking to stick in the league but offers a lot of potential.

108. Minnesota Vikings, Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon, Grade B

Jackson's one of the tallest cornerbacks in the class and uses that size and competitive streak to stay in position. He led the Ducks with three interceptions and 12 passes defensed in 2023. He'll excel in press-man coverage but will turn 25 before his rookie season starts.

109. Atlanta Falcons, Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon, Grade A-

Dorlus lined up in multiple places on the defensive line for the Ducks and led them in sacks (5.0) in 2023. He has the size and skill to get reps early on as a base end and move inside in sub situations. He does need to improve his consistency but was one of the top interior defensive linemen in the class, offering great value in Round 4.

110. New England Patriots (from Chicago Bears through Los Angeles Chargers), Javon Baker, WR, UCF, Grade C

Baker's athletic profile compares well to Green Bay's Romeo Doubs. Baker is not an elite athletic player but thrived after the catch in his final year at UCF. He is an upgrade for the Patriots at wide receiver as they invest around Drake Maye , but his inconsistency and drops are a concern.

111. Green Bay Packers (through New York Jets), Evan Williams, S, Oregon, Grade B

Williams transferred to Oregon from Fresno State in 2023 and led the Ducks in tackles with 82. He shines in run support and gives new Packers coordinator Jeff Hafley another piece in the back end. Williams can line up in multiple spots or play a traditional box safety role.

112. Las Vegas Raiders, Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State, Grade C+

Richardson played with current NFL cornerbacks Martin Emerson and Emmanuel Forbes in his time with the Bulldogs. His length at 6 feet, 2 inches and 4.34 40-yard dash speed complement his sure tackling to make Richardson a developmental prospect. But his lack of ball production (zero interceptions in college) is a big red flag.

113. Baltimore Ravens (from Denver Broncos through New York Jets), Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina, B

Walker's big-play ability stands out in a loaded class of wide receivers. Once he took the field mid-season for the Tar Heels, he was an immediate upgrade for Drake Maye and was a third team All-ACC player. His route running needs improvement and lack of physicality could hurt him at the NFL level, but the Ravens add a different kind of player to their wide receiver room.

114. Jacksonville Jaguars, Javon Foster, OT, Missouri, B+

Jacksonville finally adds to the offensive line in the draft with Foster. The longtime Tigers left tackle was a standout in pass protection against SEC competition and helped pave the way for running back Cody Schrader. His aggression in run blocking could make him one of the better value picks in the class for Jacksonville.

115. Cincinnati Bengals, Erick All, TE, Iowa, Grade C+

Based on numbers and tape alone, All is a solid tight end in a top-heavy class. He's a better blocker than most prospects and led the Hawkeyes in receiving in 2023. But he suffered season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2022 and only played 10 total games in that span. If he stays healthy, he's a solid No. 2 tight end for the Bengals.

116. Jacksonville Jaguars (from New Orleans Saints), Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU, Grade: C-

Jacksonville goes two-for-two with LSU defensive tackles after taking Maason Smith in Round 2. He's strong at the point of attack and uses his burst off the line well. He lacks flexibility and balance that you'd like to see on the interior. He'd be a rotational linemen and this seems early to draft him.

117. Indianapolis Colts, Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin, Grade: B+

Unsurprisingly, the uber-athletic Bortolini gets swooped up by Indianapolis here. He was an outstanding tester at the combine and fits easily into zone schemes with his movement skills and balance. His short arms and smaller wingspan overall does give some pause, but he could develop into a center of the future for the Colts. 

118. Seattle Seahawks, Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP, Grade: C

Knight led the country in solo tackles with 84 as a senior for the Miners. His nose for the football shines against the run thanks to his instincts and closing burst. He rarely misses tackles and will at least be an immediate impact starter on special teams. His coverage limitations could be more of a red flag against NFL competition.

119. Pittsburgh Steelers, Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State, Grade: B

One of the more talented offensive line classes in recent history sees McCormick in the fourth round. He turns 24 before the season starts but tested very well at the combine and has the size to hold up at guard. He's inconsistent at times on tape but a mauler in the running game who can back up all three interior linemen spots. Pittsburgh continues to improve the trenches with a versatile prospect here.

120. Miami Dolphins (from Los Angeles Rams through Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles), Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee, Grade: B+

The Dolphins' pedigree for speed makes it no surprise they took Wright at this spot. He was a threat to go the distance against SEC competition with the Volunteers. He's been compared to Jerome Ford with his scheme versatility and can work on all three downs. He could make for an impressive 1-2 combo with De'Von Achane in Miami.

121. Seattle Seahawks (from Miami Dolphins through Denver Broncos), AJ Barner, TE, Michigan, Grade: B

Barner's an ideal in-line tight end that gives the Seahawks another threat in the pass game who can hold his own in most blocking situations. He's a bit small to be a Y tight end with some of the smallest hands in the class but has the athleticism to be a flex tight end early on.

122. Chicago Bears (from Philadelphia Eagles), Tory Taylor, P, Iowa, Grade: D

True, Taylor was one of the best punters in the nation in 2023 at Iowa. He did notch a 67-yard punt for the Hawkeyes in their bowl game. But with just four total picks in this year's draft, this seems like a waste of a resource for the Bears with players who could fill more needs still on the board.

123. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns through Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles), Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State, Grade: B+

Houston gets a great value pick at tight end to continue to build around quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stover initially played defensive end and linebacker before becoming one of the best Buckeye tight ends in years. He'll never be a strong blocker but he has the mentality and skills to become a great possession tight end.

124. San Francisco 49ers (from Dallas Cowboys), Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest, Grade: C+

San Francisco continues to load up on the back end here. Mustapha has the range to hold up in both pass and run defense. His ball production in college was mediocre (three interceptions in 39 career games) and his athleticism isn't elite. He compares well to Jordan Whitehead but with Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga already on the 49ers roster, he won't get any significant starting time, barring injury.

125. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon, Grade: C

Irving's a smaller back with two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume and could struggle to find similar production in the NFL. He's a strong receiving back as well with 56 career catches and could be a complementary back to Rachaad White in Tampa Bay. At No. 125 overall, this doesn't feel like too much of a reach, but the Buccaneers could've addressed other needs first.

126. Detroit Lions (from Green Bay Packers through New York Jets), Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia, Grade: D

Manu is massive at 6 feet, 8 inches and 352 pounds. He started for the last three seasons at left tackle and left guard at the University of British Columbia, making it hard to properly judge his tape. He has rare athleticism for his size but needs a lot of development. This feels like a reach for Detroit as many boards had him as an undrafted free agent.

127. Philadelphia Eagles (from Houston Texans), Will Shipley, RB, Clemson, Grade: C

Philadelphia suddenly has a crowded running back room with Shipley, Saquon Barkley, and Kenneth Gainwell. He's a weapon in both the run and pass game and made first-team All-ACC at three different spots: running back, all-purpose, and specialist. His speed and urgency with the ball overcome average size and he could become an asset in case Barkley goes down with injury.

128. Buffalo Bills, Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky, Grade: C+

Buffalo adds some depth behind starter James Cook with Davis. A physical back despite standing 5 feet, 8 inches, Davis flashed his skills in the passing game in 2023 as well. Davis does have a lot of tread on the tires with more than 800 total touches in college, lacks long speed, and will turn 25 as a rookie, all knocks for a pick at this spot.

129. San Francisco 49ers (from Minnesota Vikings through Detroit Lions and New York Jets), Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville, Grade: B-

Christian McCaffrey fantasy football owners need not be worried. Guerendo already worked in a split role in Louisville with Jawhar Jordan and could help spell McCaffrey in San Francisco. He is an elite athlete at his size and put on a show at the scouting combine. Despite being one of the oldest prospects in the class at running back (23), he has just 273 career touches in college. 

130. Baltimore Ravens, T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State, Grade: A

Baltimore gets one of the best value picks in the draft to this point with Tampa. The Ravens are loading up in the back end after taking Nate Wiggins in Round 1 and Tampa is a scheme-versatile corner many had tabbed for Round 2. He's a disruptor at the position with 22 career passes defensed in college and could be a rotational player immediately.

131. Kansas City Chiefs, Jared Wiley, TE, TCU, Grade: A-

Wiley stands 6 feet, 6 inches at 249 pounds with 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash. That combination of athleticism along with reliable hands (one drop in 59 career games) makes him a potential rotational tight end early on. His competitiveness in blocking situations is a good sign he can develop into a contributor with Kansas City's infrastructure.

132. Detroit Lions (from San Francisco 49ers through Philadelphia Eagles; compensatory selection), Sione Vaki, S, Utah, Grade: B

Vaki was one of the more versatile players in college football in 2023, lining up at both safety and running back. That background projects easily to special teams right away. His combine performance was slightly disappointing so this feels a bit early again for the Lions, especially considering how they've invested in the defensive backfield over the last two drafts. 

133. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo Bills; compensatory selection), Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State, Grade: A

Hicks was the top safety on some draft boards thanks to his fantastic tape and solid size. He can fit in any scheme and will be an asset for Steve Spagnuolo and company to develop into a starter as they have with many young DBs recently. This may be one of the best value picks of the round.

134. New York Jets (from Baltimore Ravens; compensatory selection), Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin, Grade: B

Allen's one of the biggest running backs in the class at 235 pounds and one of the youngest (he'll turn 21 in January). He's a bruising back who thrives in short yardage but has the speed to make a quick cut and go. He's not as elusive but, paired with Breece Hall with the Jets, offers a different skill set and the pass blocking to stay on the field on third down.

135. San Francisco 49ers, Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona, Grade: D+

Cowing's a small slot receiver who impresses with his straight-line speed. His small catch radius and stature (171 pounds at his pro day) could be tough to produce in the NFL. This is also a reach for San Francisco which already has a stacked wide receiver room the 49ers added to in Round 1 .

2024 NFL draft grades: Every pick in fifth round

136. seattle seahawks (from carolina panthers through cleveland browns and denver broncos): nehemiah pritchett, cb, auburn, grade: b-.

Pritchett has ideal size at 6 foot and 190 pounds and ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes at the combine among cornerbacks. His tackling and character make him an ideal developmental cornerback and he could become a rotational starter in Seattle early on.

137. Los Angeles Chargers (from New England Patriots), Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland, Grade: B-

Still was a consistent producer in college with 28 passes defensed and six interceptions in 39 career games. He started all but two games in Maryland and looks like he enjoys press coverage on tape. He's not an overwhelming athlete and lacks size but has the instincts to hold up and help a Chargers defense in transition.

138. Arizona Cardinals, Xavier Thomas, Edge, Clemson, Grade: B

Thomas' inconsistency against the run is worrying considering he spent six years in college with the Tigers. He was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Patrick Surtain II. He flashes explosive potential in pass rush situations and could be a rotational piece early on for a Cardinals team seeking pass rush help.

139. Washington Commanders, Jordan Magee, LB, Temple, Grade: B+

Washington signed Bobby Wagner in free agency and Magee could benefit from learning behind the nine-time Pro Bowl player. Magee's athleticism will come in handy in coverage and he plays hard against the run despite his smaller frame.

140. Los Angeles Chargers, Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame, Grade: A

After taking Still three picks earlier, Los Angeles gets arguably a top-100 prospect with Hart here. His size at 6 feet, 3 inches makes him one of the longer corners in the draft. He lacks ball skills but his athleticism helps him match up against varied receiver types. He'll at the very least be a top-tier special teams gunner as he grows into a bigger role on defense.

141. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina Panthers through New York Giants), Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia, Grade: B+

Van Pran-Granger started 44 games over the last three seasons for the Bulldogs under multiple offensive coordinators. He is an imposing presence in the run game and consistently performed en route to two national championships in college. He needs to improve in pass protection but he has the skills already to start if need be along the interior in Buffalo.

142. Indianapolis Colts (from Tennessee Titans through Carolina Panthers), Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State, Grade: C+

Gould spent the vast majority of his time with the Beavers at outside wide receiver despite standing 5-8 and weighing 174 pounds. He's one of the fastest wideouts in the class and could be one of the best returners on the team as a rookie.

143. Atlanta Falcons, JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame, Grade: C-

Bertrand led the Fighting Irish in tackles over the past three seasons and was a Campbell Trophy finalist in college. He's an effective blitzer but lacks the athleticism to keep up against top-tier athletes in the NFL. His instincts, motor, and preparation will offer rotational value. Considering the other prospects at the position still on the board, this is a reach.

144. Chicago Bears (from Chicago Bears through Buffalo Bills), Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas, Grade: A-

A trade back into Round 5 sees Chicago net one of the top value picks of the round. Booker has flashed potential despite starting just one game in college. He's an ascending talent who could thrive on a Bears defensive line featuring Montez Sweat. 

145. Denver Broncos (from New York Jets), Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri, Grade: A-

Denver gets a ballhawking cornerback in Round 5 with this selection. Abrams-Draine led the SEC in passes defensed with 16 in 2023. His thin frame is concern against bigger wide receivers but his competitive streak and positioning makes him at least a rotational corner for the Broncos early on.

146. Tennessee Titans (from Minnesota Vikings through Philadelphia Eagles), Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville, Grade: C+

Tennessee bolstered cornerback in free agency by signing Chidobe Awuzie and trading for L'Jarius Sneed. Brownlee Jr. is a physical corner and plays aggressive against the run. Considering the options on the board here, the Titans would've been better served shoring up other positions.

147. Denver Broncos, Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame, Grade: C+

Estime was a workhorse for Notre Dame but comes to a Broncos team already featuring Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine in the backfield. Estime posted a 4.71 40-yard dash, one of the worst at the combine, but the tape shows a better downhill runner. He could become an RB1 but that may be hard to do in such a crowded backfield.

148. Las Vegas Raiders, Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State, Grade: C+

Eichenberg helped lead a turnaround on defense in Columbus with his instincts and tackle production. He's much stronger against the run than the pass due to his average athleticism. His feel for the game and understanding of concepts could make him a starter early on.

149. Cincinnati Bengals, Josh Newton, CB, TCU, Grade: B

Cincinnati continues its recent history of defensive back investment with Newton. A five-year starter for the Horned Frogs, Newton projects well in zone schemes that will cover up for his lack of long speed. His instincts and competitiveness will help a Bengals defense looking for a turnaround in 2024.

150. New Orleans Saints, Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina, Grade: B+

Rattler's a tough read. He transferred from Oklahoma to South Carolina and played well despite having one of the least consistent offensive line groups in the conference. His athleticism and impressive arm talent makes up for his less-than-ideal size. He could develop into a long-term starter to succeed Derek Carr in New Orleans and that makes this a great value in Round 5.

151. Indianapolis Colts, Jaylon Carlies, S, Missouri, Grade: B-

At 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 227 pounds, Carlies is a bit of a tweener who could transition from safety to linebacker for Indianapolis. He led Missouri in tackles in 2022 and 2023 and has the straight line speed to be a productive player in both run defense and coverage. He has struggled at times in zone schemes and this feels like a bit of a reach for a prospect without a set position.

152. Philadelphia Eagles (from Seattle Seahawks through Washington Commanders), Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M, Grade: C

The Eagles look to plug a hole at slot receiver with the small but twitchy Smith here. His production over five years in College Station isn't impressive but he excelled in the return game. He'll likely be a contributor in that role as a rookie but his lack of size and smaller catch radius may limit his long-term production.

153. Jacksonville Jaguars, Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss, Grade: B

Jacksonville bolsters cornerback again here with an elite athlete at ideal size. He took a one-year hiatus to junior college in 2020 before returning to Ole Miss. He was a reliable player for the Rebels with okay ball production. He's best in press coverage and his athleticism and toughness will keep him on an NFL roster regardless of how quickly he develops.

154. Los Angeles Rams, Brennan Jackson, Edge, Washington State, Grade: B+

Jackson's relentless motor mirrors that of the Rams' top pick this year, Jared Verse. That effort helped him get 20 career sacks over 44 games with the Cougars. He can get thrown off his base and lacks bend at the position but can become a rotational edge rusher as the Rams replenish the defensive line.

155. Philadelphia Eagles (from Pittsburgh Steelers through Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts): Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson, Grade: B-

Trotter's IQ, body control, and quickness made him a tackling machine for the Tigers. He's one of the many prospects with an NFL father in this year's class. Unfortunately, this Trotter's not ready-made for the modern NFL. His lack of length and speed in coverage could be a liability despite his gaudy tackling numbers. 

156. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles through Arizona Cardinals): Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville, Grade: C+

Thrash is deep threat and has shown consistency in running the whole route tree. His clean release will be challenged against tougher defenders in the NFL but he can at least carve out a role on special teams with his speed. Considering the Browns' diverse talents at wide receiver already, and the other prospects on the board, this feels like a reach.

157. Carolina Panthers (from Minnesota Vikings through Cleveland Browns and New York Jets): Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State, Grade: C

Outside of Jaycee Horn, the Panthers are relying on free agent signings across the defensive backfield in 2024. He's quick but not fast at 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 184 pounds. He'll need to move inside at the NFL level and needs to improve his discipline in coverage to make up for his lack of elite traits.

158. Miami Dolphins: Mohamed Kamara, DE/OLB, Colorado State, Grade: C+

After signing Shaq Barrett in free agency and drafting Chop Robinson in Round 1, the Dolphins are doubling down even more at edge with Kamara. He's a physical, high-motor pass rusher who consistently works offensive lineman despite his 6-foot-1, 248-pound frame. Miami could've bolstered more pressing needs at this spot.

159. Kansas City Chiefs (from Dallas Cowboys): Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State, Grade: B

Nourzad started at right tackle, left guard, and right guard before moving to center in his final season at Penn State. His strength is solid but not overwhelming and he uses his smarts and technique to stay in position. Kansas City could develop him to back up all three interior offensive line positions.

160. Buffalo Bills (from Green Bay Packers): Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington, Grade: A

Buffalo suffered numerous injuries to its linebacking group down the stretch in 2023 and Ulofoshio boosts that position. He'll turn 25 in January, meaning his potential may be capped in the NFL, but the player he is now is an impressive athlete at the position. That athleticism and instincts could make him an ideal backup or spot starter at the position for the Bills.

161. Washington Commanders (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers through Philadelphia Eagles): Dominique Hampton, S, Washington, Grade: B-

Hampton put on a show at the combine considering his size. That size-speed combination will serve him well in the NFL as he needs to improve his discipline in coverage. He had just two career interceptions in college despite 57 games played. His tools make him a rotational safety for a Commanders defense in need of assistance at all levels.

162. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston Texans): Christian Jones, OT, Texas, Grade: B

Jones started 48 games at right and left tackle for the Longhorns over the past four seasons. He's stiff but strong at contact with an above-average wingspan and big hands. He's one of the lighter tackles in the class at 305 pounds but could become a factor in Arizona relatively quickly.

163. Green Bay Packers (from Buffalo Bills): Jacob Monk, C, Duke, Grade: C+

Monk started 58 career games across three positions at Duke (center, right guard, and right tackle). He's not an elite athlete but has great technique and foot quickness. His strength is lacking considering his size but he goes to a team that typically gets the most out of late-round offensive linemen.

164. Indianapolis Colts (from Detroit Lions through Philadelphia Eagles): Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn, Grade: B+

Simpson's career year in 2023 showed what he can do on the back end at corner. He tallied four interceptions and seven passes defensed with one of the best coverage grades on the team. His smaller frame could hold him back in press coverage but his ball skills and speed make him a solid special teamer at worst.

165. Baltimore Ravens: Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall, Grade: C+

Baltimore adds to their running back room after signing Derrick Henry in free agency. Ali's injury history, pass blocking, and ball security (11 fumbles from 2021-23) are a concern. But he can make breakaway plays with his burst.

166. New York Giants (from San Francisco 49ers through Carolina Panthers): Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue, Grade: B

Tracy Jr.'s one of the more intriguing talents in the draft. A longtime wide receiver, Tracy Jr. transitioned to running back in 2023 and put up good numbers. Is he a wide receiver or a receiving running back? In either role, the Giants could use another boost to the offense and he's worth developing.

167. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Minnesota Vikings through Kansas City Chiefs): Keilan Robinson, Texas, Grade: D

Robinson's college production was limited with the likes of Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Jonathan Brooks on the roster. He was a standout returner which is likely his role in the NFL. He could end up a great return man in Jacksonville. But at this pick, the Jaguars would've been better served shoring up other needs.

168. Buffalo Bills (from New Orleans Saints through Green Bay Packers; compensatory selection): Javon Solomon, DE/OLB, Troy, Grade: B+ 

His production's undeniable with 16.0 sacks in 2023 and 32.5 in his college career. He's on the smaller side at 6 feet tall and 246 pounds but his speed off the edge is ideal. He's struggled against bigger blockers before but could work in as a rotational piece for the Bills, making for great value in the end of Round 5.

169. Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection): Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State, Grade: D+

Oladapo's tape from Corvallis is impressive with a blend of solid athleticism at the right size for a box safety. He was one of the best run defenders in the country at the position, per Pro Football Focus. But he's the third safety Green Bay's drafted in the last three rounds. And they just signed Xavier McKinney in free agency.

170. New Orleans Saints (compensatory selection): Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh, Grade: C

Last year, New Orleans took A.T. Perry in Round 6. They continue a late-round ACC wide receiver tradition by taking Means here. His rare hand size, wingspan, and vertical jump give him an incredible catch radius. But his lack of route running will limit his immediate impact.

171. New York Jets (from Philadelphia Eagles; compensatory selection): Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State, Grade: C+

Travis suffered a left leg injury in 2023 that cut his standout season short. He led a turnaround at Florida State and became one of the most prolific passers in program history. His size is a concern, even with his dual-threat ability, as is his ball placement and consistency.  

172. Philadelphia Eagles (compensatory selection): Trevor Keegan, G, Michigan, Grade: C-

Keegan's ideal size for guard is undone by his average athleticism. His experience and physicality will help at the NFL level but the Eagles could've found players with higher upside on the board at this spot.

173. New York Jets (from Kansas City Chiefs through San Francisco 49ers; compensatory selection): Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State, Grade: D-

One round after taking one of the best backs in the class, the Jets double down with selecting Davis. The former Jackrabbits standout has plenty of college production behind a line featuring multiple future NFL players. But there's little need for a running back with limited special teams value as a rookie at this spot considering the board.

174. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection): Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest, Grade: B+

Carson missed 11 games over the last three years with the Demon Deacons. Injury concerns aside, he's a versatile NFL cornerback with ideal size and athleticism. If he stays healthy, he could become a solid starter for the Cowboys at a great value.

175. New Orleans Saints (compensatory selection): Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas, Grade: B

Ford is a solid athlete with NFL size at the position and a nose for the ball (27.5 career tackles for loss). He may struggle in coverage against better athletes but he knows how to operate in zone coverage over the middle.

176. New York Jets (compensatory selection): Qwan'tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto Argonauts, Grade: D-

Stiggers is an incredible story who's now made it to the NFL. But as far as a talent goes, this is a massive reach for someone who played semi-pro football in 2022 before joining the CFL in 2023. He has solid size and great athleticism but will need a lot of development. Considering the other more ready-made corners on the board, this was a rough way to end Round 5.

2024 NFL draft picks: Round 6

177. minnesota vikings (from carolina panthers through jacksonville jaguars): walter rouse, ot, oklahoma, grade: b+.

Rouse has prototypical athleticism at his size for NFL offensive linemen. His athletic profile matches up well with Jawaan Taylor and his football IQ will likely keep him on an NFL roster for years. He makes for an ideal swing tackle on a talented Vikings offensive line.

178. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Arizona Cardinals through Carolina Panthers): Logan Lee, DT, Iowa, Grade: C

Lee's a long, explosive athlete at the position but lacks the ideal weight and strength to stay on the inside. He's not quite a interior defender but doesn't possess the burst and power to thrive on the edge. He is a hard worker and could grow into a niche role alongside standouts in Pittsburgh.

179. Seattle Seahawks (from Washington Commanders): Sataoa Laumea, G, Utah, Grade: A-

Seattle continues to shore up the interior offensive line in Round 6 with Laumea at a great value selection. A four-year starter with the Utes, Laumea is a great presence in the run game with his foot quickness and power. He needs to develop in pass protection but is in no rush to start as a rookie in Seattle.

180. New England Patriots: Marcellas Dial, CB, South Carolina, Grade: D

Dial's ideal size and athleticism give him a solid floor as a cornerback but his lack of instincts and tackling are concerns. He's made more for zone schemes and needs time to develop more disciplined spacing in coverage. This is a bit of a reach even for Round 6.

181. Los Angeles Chargers: Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy, Grade: C-

Vidal stands 5-8 but his 213-pound frame make him a strong blocker and physical runner. He doesn't have home-run speed but he can operate well in between the tackles. At best, Vidal's likely the fourth-best running back on the Chargers' depth chart. 

182. Tennessee Titans (reacquired through Philadelphia Eagles): Jha'Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane, Grade: C

Tennessee continues to build around quarterback Will Levis with the undersized but fast Jackson. His athletic profile lines up well with Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed and he offers returner upside immediately. Injuries and route running are both concerns at this point.

183. New York Giants: Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA, Grade: C

The Giants continue to load up on defense but at an interesting position here. Between Bobby Okereke and 2022 draft pick Micah McFadden, Muasau might struggle to find a consistent role. He's an all-around solid linebacker but lacks the athleticism to make big plays in coverage. He'll likely be a backup with spot starting potential.

184. Miami Dolphins (from Chicago Bears): Malik Washington, WR, Virginia, Grade: A-

This is one of the best value picks of Round 6. Washington is a reliable route runner with good ball skills and explosive movement after the catch. He's an ideal slot receiver and fits in well with Miami despite his smaller size for the position.

185. Philadelphia Eagles (from New York Jets): Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State, Grade: B

Wilson's imposing size (6-6, 231 pounds) makes him a winner on 50/50 balls and a wide receiver archetype the Eagles don't currently have on the roster. Is he ultimately a tight end? Maybe, considering his lack of separation and unreliable route running, but he's a player worth developing.

186. Atlanta Falcons (from Minnesota Vikings through Arizona Cardinals): Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama, Grade: C-

Atlanta's running back room is getting more crowded with the addition of the Crimson Tide's top rusher in 2023. McClellan is a big back who runs hard and accelerates quickly to the hole. But he lacks top-end speed and with multiple more productive running backs on the roster already, this feels like a reach.

187. Atlanta Falcons: Casey Washington, WR, Illinois, Grade: D+

Washington's a speedy deep threat with ideal athleticism at prototypical size. His route running leaves a lot to be desired and, for such top athlete, he struggled with separation at the college level. He needs time to develop compared to other prospects on the board at the position.

188. Houston Texans (from Las Vegas Raiders through New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings): Jamal Hill, LB, Oregon, Grade: D+

Hill's size caters to a move to safety at the NFL level. He has the athleticism to keep up in coverage and special teams which may be his role for the foreseeable future. Many boards had him as an undrafted free agent so this feels a bit high for a player without a set position in the league.

189. Detroit Lions (from Denver Broncos through Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans): Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU, Grade: A

Detroit snags one of the better interior defensive linemen in the class many rounds after most analysts thought he'd be selected. His high motor and agility make up for his lack of ideal size. His initial burst is among the best in the class and offers another different dimension to the Lions' improving defensive line.

190. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans Saints): Dylan McMahon, C, North Carolina State, Grade: B

McMahon's mix of experience (44 starts across right guard, center, and left guard) as well as his solid technique and efficient body control make for a great backup on the interior. He doesn't have the size or athleticism to hold up as a starter at guard but he could last at center.

191. Arizona Cardinals (from Indianapolis Colts): Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB, Grade: C-

Arizona goes with a height-weight-speed prospect here in Palmer. He started for the last two years at UAB and his coaches constantly remarked about his extreme athleticism. He needs time to develop as a route runner but has the athletic upside to be a contributor in time.

192. Seattle Seahawks: D.J. James, CB, Auburn: Grade: A-

Seattle gets one of the better SEC corners in Round 6 here. He's undersized at 175 pounds but has the speed and feet to keep up in coverage. He led Auburn in Pro Football Focus' defensive grade with an 83.9 in 2023. Many analysts expected him to be gone by Round 4 at the latest, making this a great value pick. 

193. New England Patriots (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee, Grade: D

Milton likely has the strongest arm in this top-heavy quarterback class. The former Volunteer started one season for Tennessee and has arguably the best physical tools in this quarterback class. He lacked touch on throws and, at 24 years old, there's concern over future development. He could eventually move to tight end but if not this is an odd choice of resources for a talent-needy Patriots team.

194. Cincinnati Bengals: Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona, Grade: C+

The Bengals continue to boost the pass-catching group with McLachlan and Erick All on Day 3. With All, Drew Sample, and Mike Gesicki already on the roster, this is a puzzling choice. But McLachlan offers good ball skills at the catch point and enough athleticism to develop in the NFL. He will need to improve as a blocker to make this a worthwhile selection.

195. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Watts, CB, Texas, Grade: B

Watts is one of the biggest cornerbacks in the draft. He has the longest arms of any defensive back at the combine this year. He needs to improve his discipline in coverage or move to safety (which he did during East-West Shrine Bowl practices). At the very least, he will contribute on special teams right away and the Steelers can develop him from there.

196. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson, Grade: B-

Davis projects as a high-floor nose tackle with outstanding strength given his size. He may struggle against longer interior blockers on the inside but he at least has the anchor to hold up against the run and bull rush against the pass. He's yet another high-motor guy on the defensive line for Los Angeles.

197. Atlanta Falcons (from Cleveland Browns): Zion Logue, DT, Georgia, Grade: D-

Logue is one of the taller DT prospects in recent history but he lacks the wingspan you'd expect at that height. His power is limited to straight line explosion and can be a plugger in the run game. But there were plenty of other better talents at the position left on the board.

198. Miami Dolphins: Patrick McMorris, S, Cal, Grade: C

McMorris has ideal size for the position and coverage skills to stick in the league. His tackling leaves a lot to be desired for the position, though, and he struggles against the run game. For Miami, he could work well with his play recognition and NFL-level athleticism.

199. New Orleans Saints (from Philadelphia Eagles): Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa, Grade: B+

Boyd was left out of the combine despite impressive tape. He's an impact performer against the run and uses his size to take up space on the interior. He has flashes of pass rush potential but needs to improve that to become a long term contributor. He's a good investment given New Orleans' aging defensive line and could provide lots of upside down the road.

200. Carolina Panthers (from Buffalo Bills through Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans: Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State, Grade: B+

Crumedy's athleticism shows up on tape but only in flashes. If he can stay healthy and string together more periods of consistency, Crumedy could become one of the better interior defensive linemen of this class. That upside makes for great value by Carolina here. 

201. Indianapolis Colts (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers through Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles): Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall, Grade: C

Abraham has the athleticism the Colts often look for across the board with 4.43 speed. He's the son of an NFL player and had very good ball production in college with 12 career interceptions. His size is the only knock at 5-9 which is why he can be outmuscled on routes by bigger receivers.

202. Green Bay Packers: Travis Glover, OT, Georgia State, Grade: C-

Green Bay opts for another offensive linemen in this class and Glover provides experience at guard and tackle. He likely lacks the athleticism to stick at tackle but has the power and frame to hold up if need be. He could provide depth at either guard or tackle for the future.

203. Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets through Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans): Will Reichard, K, Alabama, Grade: C+

A kicker at No. 203 isn't a waste when it's the NCAA's all-time points leader. Reichard made an incredible 84% of his kicks in college, including going 5-for-5 from 50 yards or more in 2023. He's more known for accuracy than power but could finally end Minnesota's struggle to find a consistent placekicker.

204. Buffalo Bills: Tylan Grable, OT, UCF, Grade: B

Buffalo's shoring up the offensive line even more in Round 6 with the developmental Grable. He started the last two years at left tackle after entering college as a tight end. His upward trajectory is promising and his solid athleticism provides the foundation for a swing tackle down the line. 

205. Houston Texans (from Detroit Lions): Jawhar Jordan, RB, Louisville, Grade: C+

After trading for Joe Mixon and drafting Dameon Pierce in 2022, it's an odd choice to go with Jordan with other holes on the offense. Jordan's a smaller back who runs hard and makes precise cuts but there are concerns about his durability. He could provide kick return value to Houston under the new rules.

206. Cleveland Browns (from Baltimore Ravens): Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State, Grade: B+

Cleveland continues to add pieces on defense late in the draft with the athletic Watson. In 2023, he led the SEC in sacks (10.0) and tackles (137). His instincts leave something to be desired but his quick reactions, speed, and tackling will make him a special teams standout or a high-end backup at linebacker.

207. Seattle Seahawks (from San Francisco 49ers through Denver Broncos): Mike Jerrell, OT, Findlay, Grade: D-

Seattle goes with a player many didn't see being drafted at all. Jerrell has 40 starts at right tackle with Findlay and has impressive agility for his frame. He'll need time to adjust to the NFL level but has the length and toughness to potentially develop over time. At this pick, this may be a move to ensure they won't need to outbid other teams to sign him post-draft.

208. Las Vegas Raiders (from Kansas City Chiefs): Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire, Grade: B

With no clear lead running back in Las Vegas following Josh Jacobs' departure, Laube's a small-school option to bridge the gap. Laube is a dynamic runner and receiver whose drawn comparisons to Danny Woodhead. He's also a standout returner who could provide instant impact as he learns the offense.

209. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection): Joshua Karty, K, Stanford, Grade: B-

More kickers come off the board with Karty here. He's got NFL-level kicking power and would be a likely starter on kickoffs to nullify the return game. He struggled in 2021 but improved to drill 41 of 45 field goals over his final two seasons in Stanford. Los Angeles could have a long-term answer at the position.

210. Detroit Lions (from Philadelphia Eagles, compensatory selection): Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College, Grade: A+

This is the best pick of Round 6. Detroit selects a guard many thought would be off the board by Round 3 with the No. 210 overall selection. Mahogany's outstanding power and above-average length make him a mauler in the running game. He'll need time to develop in pass protection and needs to play with more control but this is an incredible value for the Lions.

211. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco 49ers; compensatory selection): Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee, Grade: B+

Kansas City adds another cornerback to the young defensive core with one of the better coverage cornerbacks in 2023, per Pro Football Focus. He lacks top-end speed but the coverage skills are there and ball production as well. The Chiefs could quickly use him zone coverages and develop from there.

212. Jacksonville Jaguars (compensatory selection): Cam Little, K, Arkansas, Grade: C+

Little never missed an extra point and connected on 53 of 64 career field goals in college. He consistently gets the necessary power behind kicks but can often miss wide right when he's off. It's not shiny, but it's a pick the Jaguars can hope will address the kicker position into the future.  

213. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection): Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas, Grade: C-

Whittington projects as a big slot receiver with excellent toughness from his time in Austin. Injuries early on limited his college career but he has decent athleticism to stick on special teams at the very least. He'll need to improve his separation and route running overall to make it with the Rams in a long-term role.

214. Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory selection): Cedric Johnson, DE, Mississippi, Grade: A-

Pass rushers with Johnson's athletic profile don't usually fall this far in the draft. At 6-3, 260 pounds he boasts elite athleticism and solid sack production (19 in 46 games played). He had different defensive coordinators in each of his final three seasons at Ole Miss. If Cincinnati offers enough stability, he's a high-reward type of rusher who could work in on sub packages.

215. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection): Jarrett Kingston, G, USC, Grade: C-

San Francisco goes with versatility again with Kingston, who lined up at both guard and tackle on the right and left side in college. He has the size and tools (excluding his short arms) to develop over time but joins a crowded position group with the 49ers.

216. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection): Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State, Grade: B+

Flournoy's a height-weight-speed athlete who showed off against Ohio Valley Conference competition. His tape against Iowa State and Kansas State weren't bad and he already has the tools as a rotational wide receiver, something rare to find this late in the draft.

217. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection): Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas, Grade: B+

Limmer offers Los Angeles plenty of versatility with starts at guard and center in college. He's not an elite athlete but functional enough to hold up against NFL talent. His football IQ and impact in both run blocking and pass protection make him a strong candidate for center. The Rams may move Steve Avila to center this season and Limmer makes for a more than capable backup.

218. Baltimore Ravens (from New York Jets; compensatory selection): Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky, Grade: B-

This is a departure from what Baltimore's often done at the backup quarterback spot. Leary's not a dual-threat quarterback but has NFL arm talent and experience in multiple offensive systems. He can make all the throws necessary at the NFL level but needs to improve his accuracy and timing to stick in the NFL.

219. Buffalo Bills (from Green Bay Packers; compensatory selection): Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State, Grade: C

Buffalo picks up a smaller corner with speed who can run with most any wide receiver he'll face. He could become a future slot defender thanks to his athleticism and ball production (5 interceptions, 25 passes defensed in college). If anything, his return potential is very good and could fill that role in Buffalo as a rookie.

220. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (compensatory selection): Elijah Klein, G, UTEP, Grade: C-

Klein has years of experience with a run-focused scheme with the Miners. He has an NFL frame and long arms that will make him a positive in the run game as a rookie. He will need lots of time to develop as a pass blocker, though, but could eventually become a swing interior offensive lineman for the Buccaneers.

2024 NFL draft picks: Round 7

221. buffalo bills (from kansas city chiefs through carolina panthers, tennessee titans): travis clayton, g, international pathway program, grade: c-.

Can't fault the Bills for using their final pick of the draft on an athletic marvel from the NFL's International Pathway Program. Clayton played soccer and rugby overseas. He's a developmental player who posted and incredible 4.79 40-yard dash time at 6-7 and 307 pounds.

222. Washington Commanders: Javonte Jean-Baptiste, DE, Notre Dame, Grade: B-

Washington's defensive line needs all the help in can get at edge. Jean-Baptiste's motor and quickness are intriguing despite his leaner frame. He plays hard against the run but could struggle to hold up long term. 

223. Las Vegas Raiders (from New England Patriots): Trey Taylor, S, Air Force, Grade: B+

Taylor started all 36 of his college games with Air Force and has good career ball production (6 interceptions, 19 passes defensed). He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in the country. He isn't an elite athlete but quick enough to keep up in the NFL and his instincts will make him a quick fit in Las Vegas.

224. Cincinnati Bengals (from Arizona Cardinals through Houston Texans): Daijahn Anthony, S, Mississippi, Grade: C

Anthony's speed is disappointing given his slender frame. He likely will move to nickel at the NFL level where his aggression, physicality, and ball skills (eight career interceptions) could keep him on the roster in Cincinnati. 

225. Los Angeles Chargers: Brenden Rice, WR, USC, Grade: A

One of the best value picks of Day 3 sees the former Trojan staying in Los Angeles with the Chargers. The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, he won't wow you with athleticism or physicality, but he finds the end zone regularly. He's efficient out of his breaks but he won't be a contested catch winner. This is a great pickup for Los Angeles for a player projected to go in earlier rounds.

226. Arizona Cardinals (from New York Giants): Jaden Davis, Miami (Fla.), Grade: D+

Davis is undersized but has more than adequate long speed for the NFL. He's not as dynamic laterally and may struggle against stronger or taller wideouts given his short arms on a 5-foot-9 frame. If the Cardinals were set at cornerback with this pick, there were better options on the board.

227. Cleveland Browns (from Tennessee Titans): Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota, Grade: B+

Harden joins a talented defensive back group in Cleveland and should offer nickel versatility early on. He's aggressive and competitive and that shines through with his tackling prowess. His fluid movement skills could see spot time at safety as well as cornerback for the Browns.

228. Baltimore Ravens (from New York Jets): Nick Samac, C, Michigan State, Grade: B-

Samac likely won't start for the Ravens anytime soon but his background makes for a solid backup behind Tyler Linderbaum. He's a standout in the run game but his lack of flexibility and strength could see him struggle in pass protection against NFL competition.

229. Las Vegas Raiders (from Minnesota Vikings): MJ Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh, Grade: B

It's hard to argue with Devonshire's ball production in college: 32 passes defensed and eight interceptions in 50 career games, including just 18 starts. He's an adequate athlete who uses aggression to find the ball and produce in a variety of schemes. At the very least Las Vegas can get solid special teams production from him as a rookie.

230. Minnesota Vikings (from Atlanta Falcons through Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals): Michael Jurgens, C, Wake Forest, Grade: C-

Jurgens lacks the athleticism of some of the other developmental centers on the board but boasts impressive power. His short arms and average lateral quickness could be trouble in pass protection against faster rushers.  

231. New England Patriots (from Chicago Bears): Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State, Grade: B-

Bell lined up at tight end and fullback with the Seminoles. His blocking is solid in-line but struggles in space. He has the speed to stretch the field after the catch and compares well with Chigoziem Okonkwo's athletic profile. Over time, he'd become a solid No. 2 tight end for the Patriots who continue to build up their pass catching corps.

232. Minnesota Vikings (from Denver Broncos through San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans): Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce, Grade: C-

Rodriguez is a prototypical late-round flyer with tools to contribute on the interior. He needs a lot of development in technique and doesn't have elite strength or length. But he does have strong hands and enough twitch to make a difference over time.

233. Dallas Cowboys (from Las Vegas Raiders): Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana-Lafayette, Grade: B+

Thomas has the tools to be a solid tackle. His size, above-average wingspan, and massive hands make him strong at the point of attack. He needs time to develop his discipline and better technique but the Cowboys could provide the infrastructure to do that.

234. Indianapolis Colts: Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma, Grade: B-

Laulu offers the athleticism Indianapolis loves from its prospects. At 6-5 and 292 pounds, Laulu posted a 4.96-second 40-yard dash at the combine. His jumps were impressive as well. With his height and above-average wingspan, he's a solid developmental choice for the Colts inside.

235. Denver Broncos (from Seattle Seahawks): Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah, Grade: B+

Denver gets another field-stretching wide receiver in Vele at No. 235 overall. At 6-foot-4, Vele's height and wingspan give him a standout catch radius despite average jumps. He needs to improve in creating separation given all of his speed but he'll turn 27 in December, making him one of the oldest draftees of the weekend.

236. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Cole, DE, Texas Tech, Grade: A-

Cole's college production is surprisingly low considering his athletic profile. His height and arm length, along with his power, make him a worthwhile project in the NFL. He needs to develop against the running game as Jacksonville lines him up with fellow edge rushers Travon Walker and Josh Allen. 

237. Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Lee, C, Miami (Fla.), Grade: B-

Lee's lack of power and smaller frame means he could struggle against NFL-caliber athletes. His technique is good enough to keep up as a backup on the interior, especially with his elite pass protection. Cincinnati won't need him to start anytime soon but could provide valuable depth.

238. Houston Texans (from New Orleans Saints): Solomon Byrd, DE, USC, Grade: B

Byrd's quick first step makes up for his average length for the position. His motor and flashes of production give confidence he could develop into a contributor at the NFL level. But he'll need to improve a lot in run defense for Houston to get to that point.

239. New Orleans Saints (from Los Angeles Rams through Denver Broncos): Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky, Grade: B-

Ezirim's new to the position after starting out as a defensive lineman in college. That aggression from his prior position translates in run blocking, where he excels. He needs time to adjust more to his new position and could be key down the line with Ryan Ramczyk's health a question mark in the future.

240. Carolina Panthers (from Pittsburgh Steelers): Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan, Grade: C+

Michigan's star-studded defense has many players hearing their names called this weekend. Barrett is the latest and has the play speed and physicality teams look for at the position. He'll be a serviceable backup with special teams potential early on in Carolina.

241. Miami Dolphins: Tahj Washington, WR, USC, Grade: C

Another round, another wide receiver with the last name Washington for Miami on Day 3 of the draft. His small frame (174 pounds) at 5-foot-9 likely took him out of consideration for many teams. He projects best as a slot starter but the Dolphins just took a slot wideout in Round 6. This is a good value pick but at a position that's already solidified.

242. Tennessee Titans (from Philadelphia Eagles): James Williams, S, Miami (Fla.), Grade: B

Williams is a tough read on the pro level. He has the size of a linebacker (6-4 and 231 pounds) and the speed to chase down receivers. Tennessee is getting a useful player who will be an aggressive coverage player that can blitz or cover. If he finds a role, this could be a steal for the Titans in Round 7.

243. Cleveland Browns: Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati, Grade: C

Cleveland keeps Briggs in Ohio by taking him at No. 243 overall. The 6-foot-1, 313-pound Briggs gets off the ball quickly with the power to make a difference early on. He needs to work on his rush plan and lacks ideal length.

244. Dallas Cowboys: Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn, Grade: C+

Rogers' powerful, compact frame makes him hard to move off the line. He lacks the range to make a big difference in the run game but can take up enough blockers to open opportunities for others. He'll likely have an early-down role in the league and can shore things up for the Cowboys.

245. Green Bay Packers: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane, Grade: A-

Pratt was a four-year starter at Tulane and that experience shines through on tape. He's rarely panicked and knows what to do in most every situation. His delivery is quick, clean, and he produces when he's in a rhythm. At the very least, he'll be a top-level backup for the Packers going forward.

246. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin Culp, TE, Washington, Grade: C-

The Buccaneers end up with another late-round tight end, like they did last year with Payne Durham. Culp's speed is outstanding at 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. That speed comes through on the field. But he lacks blocking skills and needs to improve his consistency at the catch point. Right now, he projects more as a wide receiver, and the Buccaneers are loaded at that position.

247. Houston Texans: Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn, Grade: B

It's a slight surprise that Harris was drafted later than his teammate Rogers given his better production and measurements. Harris led the Tigers in sacks in 2023 with seven and provides a fast first step off the line. His relentless energy, strength, and hands give him rotational upside. 

248. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo Bills): C.J. Hanson, G, Holy Cross, Grade: C+

After picking up Hunter Nourzad in Round 5, the Chiefs get another backup interior offensive lineman with Hanson. He started 38 games at right guard in college and his quickness in the run game provides a solid foundation. He will need to get stronger to compete against NFL defenders in pass protection.

249. Houston Texans (from Detroit Lions): LaDarius Henderson, G, Michigan, Grade: C

Houston picks up another piece on the offensive line late with Henderson, who provides NFL-level length and size at the position. His first step is impressive and he's built for a zone-blocking scheme.

250. Baltimore Ravens: Sanoussi Kane, S, Purdue, Grade: B

Kane is excellent in the running game with the instincts to diagnose a play quickly. In coverage, he can hang with tight ends but wide receivers could be more of a problem. Baltimore's staff could develop him into an impact starter alongside standout safety Kyle Hamilton. 

251. San Francisco 49ers: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State, Grade: B+

Bethune's a hard hitter in the run defense and has the speed to keep up in coverage. His long wingspan and large hands pair well with his fast processing to make for an effective special teamer right away. If he reigns in his aggression a bit, he could become a solid backup for the 49ers. 

252. Tennessee Titans (from Kansas City Chiefs): Jaylen Harrell, DE, Michigan, Grade: C+

Harrell lacks the size you'd prefer for an edge rusher but his production is impressive (a team-high 7.5 sacks for Michigan in 2023). He's a standout straight line athlete with impressive jumps and an above-average wingspan. His effort and profile could make him a sub-package rusher for the Titans.

253. Los Angeles Chargers (compensatory selection): Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan, Grade: B

Los Angeles gets another Michigan player with Johnson who boasts impressive athleticism. His route running is solid and his college production is among the best in Michigan's history. Despite his relatively short arms and small hands, he's reliable in 50/50 ball situations. His concentration leads to drops at times but he can grow into role with the Chargers.

254. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection): KT Leveston, G, Kansas State, Grade: B+

The Rams continue building up power on the inside with Leveston. Coaches remarked on his growth and maturity as he became a leader over his final two seasons in Manhattan. He's an effective run blocker already and his pass protection skills are improving. Great value for Los Angeles this late in the draft. 

255. Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection): Kalen King, CB, Penn State, Grade: C-

King famously had a rough time against Marvin Harrison Jr. this past season after a standout year in 2022. His downfield speed and fluidity are lacking so he's better in physicality around the line of scrimmage. He may be better served at moving to safety but the Packers are more than stocked at the position.

256. Denver Broncos (from New York Jets, compensatory selection): Nick Gargiulo, C, South Carolina, Grade: B

Gargiulo started at both center and left guard for the Gamecocks in 2023. He's a great mover but doesn't have the power to control defenders in the run game. He works best in a zone scheme and offers versatility in a backup role for the Broncos.

257. New York Jets (compensatory selection): Jaylen Key, S, Alabama, Grade: C+

Key, this year's Mr. Irrelevant, has NFL size and strength with the athleticism to handle many routes. He can operate well in the box, especially against the run, but doesn't have the fluidity and speed to handle receivers in coverage. The Jets get another developmental defensive back to close the 2024 NFL Draft.

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

What the New Overtime Rule Means for Workers

One of the basic principles of the American workplace is that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Simply put, every worker’s time has value. A cornerstone of that promise is the  Fair Labor Standards Act ’s (FLSA) requirement that when most workers work more than 40 hours in a week, they get paid more. The  Department of Labor ’s new overtime regulation is restoring and extending this promise for millions more lower-paid salaried workers in the U.S.

Overtime protections have been a critical part of the FLSA since 1938 and were established to protect workers from exploitation and to benefit workers, their families and our communities. Strong overtime protections help build America’s middle class and ensure that workers are not overworked and underpaid.

Some workers are specifically exempt from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime protections, including bona fide executive, administrative or professional employees. This exemption, typically referred to as the “EAP” exemption, applies when: 

1. An employee is paid a salary,  

2. The salary is not less than a minimum salary threshold amount, and 

3. The employee primarily performs executive, administrative or professional duties.

While the department increased the minimum salary required for the EAP exemption from overtime pay every 5 to 9 years between 1938 and 1975, long periods between increases to the salary requirement after 1975 have caused an erosion of the real value of the salary threshold, lessening its effectiveness in helping to identify exempt EAP employees.

The department’s new overtime rule was developed based on almost 30 listening sessions across the country and the final rule was issued after reviewing over 33,000 written comments. We heard from a wide variety of members of the public who shared valuable insights to help us develop this Administration’s overtime rule, including from workers who told us: “I would love the opportunity to...be compensated for time worked beyond 40 hours, or alternately be given a raise,” and “I make around $40,000 a year and most week[s] work well over 40 hours (likely in the 45-50 range). This rule change would benefit me greatly and ensure that my time is paid for!” and “Please, I would love to be paid for the extra hours I work!”

The department’s final rule, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024, will increase the standard salary level that helps define and delimit which salaried workers are entitled to overtime pay protections under the FLSA. 

Starting July 1, most salaried workers who earn less than $844 per week will become eligible for overtime pay under the final rule. And on Jan. 1, 2025, most salaried workers who make less than $1,128 per week will become eligible for overtime pay. As these changes occur, job duties will continue to determine overtime exemption status for most salaried employees.

The rule will also increase the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (who are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA if certain requirements are met) from $107,432 per year to $132,964 per year on July 1, 2024, and then set it equal to $151,164 per year on Jan. 1, 2025.

Starting July 1, 2027, these earnings thresholds will be updated every three years so they keep pace with changes in worker salaries, ensuring that employers can adapt more easily because they’ll know when salary updates will happen and how they’ll be calculated.

The final rule will restore and extend the right to overtime pay to many salaried workers, including workers who historically were entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA because of their lower pay or the type of work they performed. 

We urge workers and employers to visit  our website to learn more about the final rule.

Jessica Looman is the administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Follow the Wage and Hour Division on Twitter at  @WHD_DOL  and  LinkedIn .  Editor's note: This blog was edited to correct a typo (changing "administrator" to "administrative.")

• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• overtime rule

SHARE THIS: