The Common App Additional Information section can be confusing. This optional section has the potential to add valuable to your application, but only if you utilize it strategically. It’s not a place for an additional writing sample, repetitive information, or minor details. Instead, this section is your chance to address any gaps—or missing pieces—in your application.
Whether it’s explaining a drop in GPA due to a family emergency, detailing a significant achievement that doesn’t fit elsewhere, or providing additional context for a complex personal situation, this section allows you to fill in the picture of who you are as a person. In this post, I’ll help you decide when and how to use the Common App Additional Information section to make the most of every opportunity to stand out.
Using the Common App Additional Information Section
This section should only be used if you have a strong reason for doing so. The key is to ask yourself if you have something important to share that doesn’t fit anywhere else in your application. Historically, students have used the Common App Additional Information section to explain any academic bumps in the road.
For example, if your grades took a hit in 10th grade because you had a major illness or someone in your family passed away, it makes complete sense that it may take time to recover from your circumstances. Those are perfectly legitimate reasons to use this section.
However, what happens if you didn’t have a tough academic stretch? Should you even consider utilizing this section of the application or just leave it blank? Let’s explore this hidden gem of an opportunity.
Other Uses for the Common App Additional Information Section
If you have not suffered from any academic dry spells during your high school career, congratulations! But what could you possibly put into the Common App Additional Information section? Here are reasons:
1. To account for an abundance of extracurricular activities.
If you have an overabundance of amazing activities (more than 10) that don’t fit on your Activities List and you want to make sure your prospective schools are aware, you can add the extra ones to this section. I would not recommend using this for only one additional activity. If you have 5 or more solid activities that will not fit in the activities section, then consider placing them in the Additional Information section.
2. To emphasize an exceptional skill.
If you have an exceptional skill and want to emphasize it, you can use this section to add links or a more in-depth description. For example, I’ve had musicians add website links to their musical creations, athletes list their accomplishments—with links of game footage or athletic feats—and artists who showed their original works via their personal website. This is another opportunity to showcase your unique skills to the application reader. Why not take advantage of it?
3. To highlight an achievement.
If certain skills are not your thing, but you’ve been involved in a certain endeavor and dedicated hour after hour to it, emphasize that. I worked with a student who had volunteered at over 20 different philanthropic events on a continuous basis during her high school career. This could have easily taken up the entire activities list, but we chose to list them all in a systematic manner in the Additional Information section. Activities + service = a winning combination.
4. To tell an essential part of your story.
If there is an element of your story that is vital to who you are and is not conveyed through your personal statement or in other areas, this would be the landing spot. Maybe you come from an environment where your family places more responsibilities on you because you are the oldest. If that background isn’t gleaned from your other application materials, one may wonder why you weren’t more involved in extracurriculars. The Additional Information section would be an excellent place to explain this contextual situation.
Formatting your Common App Additional Information Response
When using the Common App Additional Information section to highlight your efforts, you should present the information in a direct and easy-to-read way, which often does not involved writing an essay. Bolded headlines followed by bulleted points is often your best course-of-action when trying to take advantage of this section.
For example:
Ronald McDonald House
• Assemble food trays and make blankets to support families receiving medical care (28 hrs).
Sunrise Senior Living, Operation Homefront, Between Friends
• Philanthropies serving veterans, the elderly, and victims of abuse (26 hrs).
However, there are exceptions. If you’re using the Common App Additional Information section to explain why you suffered an academic lapse during high school, for example, one would expect to see a paragraph or two explaining the circumstances and how you recovered.
Final Thoughts on the Common App Additional Information Section
Now, if you are sitting there and none of the above apply to you, do not fear. Most applicants do
not use the Additional Information section of the Common App at all. If your application is already complete and you have nothing critical to add, it’s perfectly fine to leave this section blank. However, if one of those scenarios above sounds familiar, this may be your chance to shine a little brighter in the admissions process.
FAQs
Should I fill out Common App Additional Info section?
You should only fill out the Common App Additional Information section if you have a strong reason. Use it to present new information that isn’t covered elsewhere in your application. If you don’t have anything significant to add, it’s better to leave it blank.
Do admissions officers read the Common App Additional Information section?
Yes, admissions officers do read additional information provided by applicants. While not all officers give it the same weight, this section can be important for explaining gaps, challenges, or any aspect of your application that needs further explanation. Use it wisely and only if you have something significant to share.
Where is the Additional Information section on the Common App?
Log into your account on the Common App website. Navigate to the “Common App” tab, then click “Writing” from the sidebar, then “Additional Information.”
Conclusion
In summary, the Common App Additional Information section should be used strategically to provide crucial context that enhances your application. If you have important details that will help admissions officers better understand your story, take the opportunity to share them; otherwise, it’s better to skip this section.
Do you need help identifying gaps in your application that might make sense in the Common App Additional Information section? The counselors at HelloCollege are experts at building applications that capture the full picture of every student. To learn more about our personalized approach, contact us for a free consultation.
