Travers Smith Application Struggles

I applied in October, got a holding email in December. Should I just give up hope now that people who applied after me have been given interviews?
 
I applied in October, got a holding email in December. Should I just give up hope now that people who applied after me have been given interviews?

Why give up hope when there is still hope? the poster that was successful applied in May and received an invite in October thats about 5 - 6 months! You applied in October and we are still in February. Dont give up hope
 
This is probably a stupid question but just want to double check there are no word limits for the answers on the application form? - also wanted to ask how long of a cover letter roughly, would be suitable?