Should I answer the "Additional Information" section of the Common Application?

Question

This section is not required by any school. What should I write here? Is it silly to leave it blank?

Answer 1

The "Additional Information" section of the Common Application is optional, but it can be a valuable space to provide context or highlight aspects of your application that might not fit elsewhere. Admissions committees use this section to gain a fuller understanding of applicants, but it’s important to use it thoughtfully and only if you have something relevant to share. Leaving it blank is completely fine if you feel your application is already complete and self-explanatory.

When to Use the Additional Information Section

Here are a few appropriate uses for this section:

1. Explain Unusual Circumstances:
2. If you faced challenges such as illness, family issues, financial hardship, or disruptions to your education that impacted your grades, activities, or opportunities.
3. Example: "During my sophomore year, my family faced financial difficulties, and I started working part-time to help support us. This taught me time management and resilience, but it also limited my ability to participate in extracurricular activities."
4. Provide Context for Your Application:
5. If your school doesn’t offer certain courses, activities, or opportunities that are relevant to your interests or major.
6. Example: "My school does not offer AP Psychology, but I pursued this interest through an online course."
7. Highlight an Accomplishment or Interest Not Elsewhere:
8. If you’ve done significant work or have unique experiences not reflected in your activities list, essays, or awards.
9. Example: "I have been teaching myself Korean for the past two years, which has deepened my interest in cultural exchange and communication."
10. Explain Academic Anomalies:
11. If there is an inconsistency in your transcript or a dip in grades due to a specific event.
12. Example: "I earned a C in Chemistry during junior year because I was caring for a family member recovering from surgery."
13. Detail Research, Independent Projects, or Jobs:
14. If you’ve undertaken a significant project or work experience that doesn’t fit neatly in the activities section.

What Not to Do

1. Don’t Write Another Essay: This is not the place to elaborate on topics you’ve already covered in your main essay or supplemental essays.
2. Avoid Filler: Only use this space if it genuinely adds value to your application.
3. Don’t Use for Repetition: If the information is already present elsewhere, it doesn’t need to be restated.

Is It Silly to Leave It Blank?

No, it’s not silly. If you have nothing additional to share, it’s perfectly fine to leave this section blank. Admissions officers won’t penalize you for this. They value concise, complete applications over unnecessary details.

Final Advice

Use the "Additional Information" section if:

1. You need to explain something crucial about your background or application.
2. You have information that provides clarity, context, or depth to your story.

If you don’t have anything additional to add, don’t feel pressured to fill it in. Focus on making the rest of your application as strong and compelling as possible! I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions!

- Dr. Christal-Joy Turner

Answer 2

The "Additional Information" section of the Common App leaves 650 words for students to add to their college application. It is never required for any student applications. Many of my students ask whether they should write something in this box.

My answer is that it is never obligatory to write another essay for this space, but it can be a helpful place to elaborate on certain parts of your application or life details that don't have a convenient place anywhere else in the application. For example, if you've experienced significant challenges or obstacles during your academic career that you didn't have the chance to write about anywhere else in your application, this is the spot. If your high school used a unique grading system, or you were diagnosed with a learning disability, or you had to take time off of school for a family emergency, this is where you can explain. I'll reiterate that this does not have to be an essay of the Common App essay style, but just a couple of paragraphs focused on getting straight to the point. You can also use this space to add an extracirricular or work experience that you couldn't fit into the activities section, an award or title you've received, or a family or health-related responsibility that has required your time and attention throughout high school.

In short, it will be of no harm to your application if you leave this section blank, but it can be used to explain academic or personal details that don't fit into other parts of your application.