Friends, quick question. Should I bother filling out the 'Additional Information' section on the Common App? Not sure if it's overkill or if it actually helps to include some context that doesn't fit elsewhere in the application.
Hi there! Great question. It's definitely worth considering the 'Additional Information' section as an opportunity to provide context that the rest of the application doesn't cover. Think of it as your chance to directly speak to admissions officers to explain anything you think is important for understanding your application — like explaining a rough patch in your grades due to a family emergency, or detailing a significant extracurricular project that there wasn't room to discuss in your activities list.
Just make sure the information you include is truly additional and isn't repetitive or explained elsewhere. Less is often more, so keep it concise and to the point.
For example, if you had a medical issue that affected your school year, this is the place to explain that situation and its impact on you briefly. This can help admissions understand your journey better and evaluate your application within the correct context. Good luck with your application!
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