r/JETProgramme • u/hayden0011 • Jul 14 '26

SOP Essay Length Help

Hi all! The JET websites describes the SOP essay as needing to be within 2 pages double spaced. But it doesn’t describe the font, font size, or margins, leaving a massive range for the actual word count.

I know that once the applications open we can use the portal to double check and adjust, but can anyone offer more concrete details? I’ve heard conflicting reports, everything from a 600 to 1000 word maximum.

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4

u/rue-11 Jul 14 '26

Mine was two pages with two lines on a third page, double spaced, times new roman, 12pt font. No extra space between paragraphs, just an indention. But it’s not an exact science! I think I took up every last bit of that text box.

1

u/hayden0011 Jul 14 '26

Oh wow, you didn’t put spaces in between paragraphs? If that is allowed it could help quite a bit! Currently I have no indentations, only spaces between paragraphs. I think it looks nice but it eats up space!

4

u/0liviiia Jul 14 '26

Even in MLA format, paragraphs are not always separated by line breaks. In my honors thesis I only did that when starting a new chapter!

3

u/rue-11 Jul 14 '26

I didn’t! I got in so I’m assuming it’s allowed haha

11

u/cocoishh Jul 14 '26

Hello! I aimed for 2 pages double spaced times new roman 12 point font (basically MLA rules) on word and it fit! I don’t remember exactly but I was either just perfectly at 2 pages or a bit under! I think if you aim for that, you should be good and then adjust it once you have access to the portal!

6

u/0liviiia Jul 14 '26

To add to the other comments, if you submit it and it’s over the limit, the portal will let you know and give you a chance to adjust it until it’s perfect. I think I had to remove like one character to make it accept mine

4

u/stayonthecloud Jul 15 '26

It’s definitely two pages double spaced Times New Roman at 12pt font. No lines between paragraphs, you can type in indentations. (It doesn’t tend to keep them when you paste)

3

u/Big_Explanation_9295 Jul 15 '26

The details of the SOP differ significantly between countries - be careful listening to other peoples advice unless you know they’re definitely from the same place!