The Additional Information Section in the Common Application: A Key to Providing Context

By: North Shore College Consulting

When and How to Use It Effectively

When it comes to college applications, every detail matters. The Common Application provides a platform for students to showcase their achievements, experiences, and aspirations, giving colleges a holistic view of who they are. However, sometimes there are circumstances or nuances that can't be fully captured within the standard sections of the application. That's where the "Additional Information" section comes into play. In this blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of this often-overlooked section and guide you on when and how to use it effectively.

Understanding the Additional Information Section

Located towards the end of the Common Application, the Additional Information section provides students with an opportunity to provide context and explanations for aspects of their application that may not be immediately clear elsewhere. With a generous word limit of 650 words, this section can be a powerful tool for addressing gaps or unusual circumstances that might raise questions for admissions officers.

It's essential to understand, however, that the Additional Information section is not meant to serve as a second personal statement. While colleges are interested in learning about your experiences, accomplishments, and challenges, this section should not be used to reiterate or duplicate information already provided elsewhere in your application.

When to Use the Additional Information Section

The Additional Information section should be reserved for circumstances that warrant further explanation or elaboration. Students should carefully evaluate their application for any areas that might benefit from additional context. Some situations where the use of this section could be appropriate include:

1. Explaining Gaps: If you've experienced gaps in your education due to personal or family issues, this is the place to explain them. Perhaps you had to take a break from school due to illness, family responsibilities, or other challenges. This section allows you to provide context without leaving admissions officers wondering about the missing pieces. You can also use it to address any discrepancies or unusual circumstances in your academic record.

2. Special Circumstances: If there are factors beyond your control that have affected your academic performance or extracurricular involvement, this section is ideal for explaining them. For instance, if you had to relocate frequently due to a parent's job, it might have impacted your ability to participate in certain activities. 

3. Personal Challenges: Some personal challenges are deeply impactful but might not be suitable for the main essay. If you've overcome adversity, such as dealing with a serious illness, overcoming a learning disability, escaping an abusive situation, or taking on significant caregiving responsibilities, you can briefly touch on these experiences in this section. Use this section to elaborate on how you demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity.

4. Personal Identity: If aspects of your personal identity, such as sexual or gender identity, played a role in your educational experience, you can explain how they influenced your path. For example, if you used different pronouns than those mentioned in recommendation letters due to not being out as trans or nonbinary to your teachers, this section can provide insight.

5. Provide Additional Context: Many students participate in extracurricular activities or honors that may not be widely recognized but hold personal significance. The Additional Information essay is a good place to describe a significant volunteer experience or community involvement that influenced personal growth and cannot be adequately described in the 150 character limit of the Common App’s Activity section. . 

What Not to Include in the Additional Information Section

While the Additional Information section provides an opportunity for students to provide context, there are certain topics that should be avoided. 

1. COVID-19: The Common Application includes a dedicated section for COVID-19 related information. Avoid discussing the pandemic here unless it's directly tied to a unique circumstance that can't be addressed elsewhere.

2. Irrelevant Details: Don't use this space to reiterate your achievements or list additional activities. Admissions officers already have that information in other sections. Avoid irrelevant details, like listing your favorite books, foods or hobbies, as these can detract from the overall impact of your application.

Self-Evaluation: Do You Need to Use the Additional Information Section?

While the Additional Information section can offer valuable insight into your life, it's essential to use it wisely. Admissions officers read through countless applications, and they appreciate conciseness and relevance. So, before deciding to use the Additional Information section, take a step back and evaluate your application as a whole. Is there any crucial context missing? Consider whether there is any key context or information that could help admissions officers gain a deeper understanding of your achievements, challenges, or personal circumstances. If you determine that there are relevant aspects that require further explanation, utilizing the Additional Information section can be a valuable opportunity. Conversely, if your application is comprehensive and leaves little room for confusion, it's perfectly acceptable, and often advisable, to skip this section.

It's Okay to Skip It

Lastly, it's important to emphasize that it is perfectly acceptable not to use the Additional Information section if you do not have any pressing issues or gaps to address. Remember, this section is truly optional, and if your application is comprehensive and provides a clear picture of who you are as an applicant, there may be no need for additional explanations.

Closing Thoughts

In the realm of college applications, transparency and authenticity reign supreme. The Additional Information section is your chance to provide a comprehensive view of your journey, shedding light on the aspects that might not be immediately evident. Use it thoughtfully and strategically to enhance your application's narrative and ensure that admissions officers leave with a full understanding of your unique story. Remember, it's okay not to use this section if you have no pressing issues to address; quality is always better than quantity.

Tips for Writing Your College Essay

 From College Data

Getting started on your college essay can be one of the hardest parts of applying to college. Our advice? Take it one step at a time.

Most counselors and students who have applied to college recommend getting started on your college essays early -- the summer prior to senior year, if possible. If you find yourself putting it off, or if you’re experiencing essay anxiety, take a deep breath and try this 6-step plan.

Step 1. Review the essay prompt(s)

Take 15 or 20 minutes to simply look at the essay prompts. The Common Application and Coalition Application release their prompts during the spring prior to senior year.

• Common App essay prompts
• Coalition App essay prompts

If you’re applying to colleges that require an essay but don’t accept the Common App or Coalition App, check the website of the colleges to which you are applying to see if their application and essay is available. Most colleges post their applications in August.

Don’t worry about choosing a topic yet. At this point, just think about what you want colleges to know about you, beyond your grades and test scores. As the Colorado College Admissions Department advises: “Take the time to think carefully about what you want us to know about you.”  

Step 2. Start brainstorming

On another day, look at the prompts again. Do any of them invoke personal experiences that demonstrate a unique aspect of your personality? Your academic passions? Your ability to learn and grow from your experiences? Or another quality you want colleges to remember? Write down everything that comes to mind.

Step 3. Test drive a few topics 

Some of the students profiled in CollegeData’s Road to College Student Stories have told us that when they connected with an essay topic they were truly passionate about, their essay practically wrote itself. How do you find that topic?

Spend at least a few afternoons or evenings writing about the experiences you brainstormed in Step 2. Write freely and don’t edit yourself at first -- just get your words and ideas on paper.

When you’re finished free writing, ask yourself:

• Which topics were easy -- or even fun -- to write about?
• Where did you have the most to say?
• Which piece of writing seems to reveal the “real you” and your genuine voice?

Remember that your essay does not have to be about a harrowing hardship, tragic loss, or a jaw-dropping adventure. As the Wellesley Admissions Department advises: "An essay about some small, even insignificant-seeming thing can be more powerful than an essay about how you’ve saved the world or overcome tragedy.”

Step 4. Write a (terrible) first draft or two

Once you have selected your topic, you can start structuring your first draft. But don’t expect your first, or even third or fourth draft, to be perfect. Give yourself time to write multiple versions, and plan to walk away from your essay for at least a couple of days so you can come back to it with a fresh perspective.  

Keep in mind that you may be able to use parts of the early drafts of your essay -- writing that didn't make it into the final version  -- for supplemental essays or other parts of your application.

Warning: Be careful about being overly influenced by online essay examples.

While reading essays submitted by other students can be helpful, reading too many might put the voices of other students in your head. Your essay should be uniquely yours. As the Princeton Admissions Department advises: “This is your opportunity to display your best writing as well as your ability to convey ideas in your own voice.”

Step 5. Get feedback from a teacher, counselor, or other people you trust  

Some questions to ask the readers of your essay:

• Does the essay ring true to them?
• Does the language sound like you?
• Did they find any parts of it unclear or difficult to understand?

Step 6. Write as many drafts as you need to 

Revise and get feedback until you feel confident that your essay says what you want it to say. Then have a teacher, counselor or another person you trust proofread your essay to ensure there are no grammatical or punctuation errors and that it is clear and easy to read.

The Importance of Professors and Advisors

Amy Baldwin, Ed.D.

The student-professor relationship is one of the most important to cultivate. Academic advisors are also key players in a student’s successful adjustment to college and can guide them all the way through to an on-time graduation.

You can encourage your student to create open lines of communication with their professors and make the most of every advising appointment. Here are tips and talking points!

Coach Your Student to Communicate With Professors

1. Establish a relationship early.

Professors will be happy to get to know your student before a problem arises. Any time during the semester (with the exception of the day before the final!) is a good time to reach out, but the sooner the better.

Your student should take cues from the syllabus about the best way to communicate. Is the professor available to meet in person or is email or an online meeting better? It should go without saying — if the professor prefers email, then use email and check it often.

When your student meets with the professor for the first time, they should have a list of questions ready. Here are a few that can help your student learn more about the professor’s expectations:

• “I want to learn as much as I can in your class. What can I do to succeed?”
• “I usually [fill in usual study practices]. What will work best for this class?”
• “I want to be sure I start off with solid work in your class. Can I come see you before an assignment is due to make sure I’m on the right track?”

2. Seek immediate feedback after graded work.

If your student gets a low grade, even if they think they know why, it’s good to check in with the professor as soon as possible. Here’s how to open a conversation:

• “I reviewed my work. Can we go over what I did wrong so I understand what to do differently next time?”
• “I’m bummed I messed up that assignment. Would you help me see where I made mistakes?”
• “Can we talk about how this low grade will affect my progress in the course? I want to be sure to make the improvements I need to raise my grade.”

Because students share this fear with me, it’s worth telling you: Yes, professors really want to talk with students who’ve failed an assignment. No, they don’t think their students aren’t smart enough to pass their class.

Professors want their students to learn and to earn good grades. Your student shouldn’t be ashamed to speak to a professor about a class they’re failing. Reaching out demonstrates a willingness to improve.

Make the Most of an Advising Appointment

Academic advisors help students register for courses and keep track of credits and degree requirements. But that’s not all an advisor can do. Advisors can help your student connect with resources if they are having academic, personal, or financial challenges. Your student should view their advisor as a guide, coach, and support system.

Here are three steps to follow.

1. Plan the visit with the advisor.

Students should prepare ahead of time for every appointment. The advisor needs to know what your student needs as soon as they get there.

• Create a list of questions or a goal to share. For example, “I’m here to talk about what classes to take next semester and what would happen if I change my major.”
• Look up policies, forms or other information that will improve the conversation. Your student may want to read course descriptions or download a copy of their degree plan.
• Be ready to take notes. Will your student handwrite notes, type, or record the session? They’ll need notes about what was discussed and what steps to take next.

2. Role play the conversation.

I know from professional experience and also from my own son, who’s a college student, that many students don’t know what to say in the moment even with a list of questions in their hand. That’s why it’s important to practice the conversation ahead of time.

You don’t have to know the ins and outs of college advising — you just need to help your student learn how to ask questions and follow up with additional questions. Here’s a sample script:

Advisor Role: What can I do for you today?

Student: I need help registering for classes and I want to talk about changing my major.

Advisor Role: First, what classes are you thinking about taking? Then, tell me what’s motivating you to change your major.

Help your student identify what preparation they still need to do before their appointment and clarify what they want from the meeting.

3. Follow up if needed.

A single advising appointment probably won’t answer all your student’s questions. A follow-up (even multiple ones) may be needed.

Encourage your student to check in regularly with their advisor even if there isn’t a pressing issue. Other reasons to meet with an advisor include:

• Your student’s progress in a course or courses is in jeopardy and they need to know what will happen if they fail a class.
• They can’t get into a class that’s required for their degree plan.
• They may not graduate on time.
• They want advice on a different major, a minor, or a career pathway.

Advisors can’t solve all of your student’s problems, but they can do a lot more than help with course registration. In fact, if your student cultivates a solid relationship with their advisor, they will have a coach, guide, and cheerleader all rolled into one.

Why Set Up a Practice Account for the Common Application?

Quick Facts from Common Application Regarding Creating a Practice Account

A practice account will allow you to access the first-year student application experience. It’s an account type for people who want to peruse the application, but not apply to college.  Everything will be the same as a regular student account, except you cannot submit college applications.

A practice account is intended for parents, or other adults interested in a student’s application experience. During account creation, you can select “parent or other adult” to create a practice account.

Practice accounts are not intended for students or for parents to create an account on behalf of their student. Even if you’re not sure if you want to apply to college or not yet, you’re welcome to create a real first-year student account whenever you’d like!

1. By creating a practice account, you’ll be able to follow the full student experience up to
submission. Practice accounts help you understand exactly what your students see without
making colleges think that you’re a real applicant.

2.  Creating a practice account will show you the same information as a student account. The process,
look and feel, and information is the same. The only difference is that a practice account
cannot be submitted to a college or university.

3. Although you cannot submit an application in a practice account, you will, however, be able to
view a preview PDF of your application, as well as a detailed video tutorial illustrating the
submission process.

4. If a student is creating a practice account, he or she can change the practice account to an applicant account. To change your account type, simply email our Solutions Center at:
appsupport@commonapp.net. In your message, please specify your full name, date of birth,
and that you want to change your practice account to an applicant account.

 

Creating a Common Application for a Practice Account Tutorial

8 Summer Activities that Impress Colleges

 By: College Data

Colleges are interested in how you spend your summer vacation because what you do in your spare time says a lot about you — and your motivation to learn and grow. Here are some things you can do this summer that might make you a stronger college applicant.

When students think of summer activities that can help them prepare for college, they often think of college summer programs such as Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program or Columbia University’s Summer Immersion or traveling abroad for an extended period of time. These are excellent activities for your college resume, but they can require advance planning – including submitting applications several months before the summer begins – a competitive admissions process, and/or a large bank account.

Fortunately, there are other ways to show colleges you’re the kind of curious, motivated, and intelligent student they want to admit – and many of them don’t cost anything except your time and effort.

1. Get a job — any job

Working during the summer — as well as during high school — can demonstrate all kinds of positive personal qualities that colleges look for, including leadership, organization, maturity, responsibility and collaboration. Your job doesn’t have to be impressive, unusual, or related to your future career. According to Harvard University’s admissions blog: “The type of work is actually less important than simply holding down a summer job. Colleges always want to see students who are willing to work hard in any context.” In addition, earning money for college is never a bad idea.

2. Take an online class

Colleges like to see students challenge themselves beyond their high school curriculum, which is why any additional, focused learning over the summer can be a plus.

Consider taking college-level courses online from a community or four-year college. For example, UC Berkeley allows high school students to attend some summer courses virtually. Or, look into taking a class from an online learning platform, such as edX or Coursera, which provide access to classes at various universities. Many of these courses – such as Harvard’s CS50 Computer Science Courses – are offered for little or no cost.

3. Create your own project

Developing a project of your own can make admission officers take notice – especially if it ties into a personal passion or future career.

Here are some ideas:

• Start a blog, video series or podcast about your favorite academic subject
• Write a short story, novel, or article and get it published
• Organize a fundraising event for a local charity
• Start a business or nonprofit organization that addresses a problem or supports underserved individuals in your community
• Pull together a band, theater group or dance troupe to entertain others
• Organize and lead a clean-up team to improve a local park, playground, or beach
• Volunteer for a political campaign or a nonprofit with a mission that is meaningful to you
• Develop and complete a research project

4. Job shadow 

Job shadowing is a way to learn about different jobs and professions by following and observing an employee performing their job. If you’re interested in becoming a veterinarian, for example, you might spend some time observing a veterinarian in the office. See this guide to job shadowing for more information and tips for finding job shadowing opportunities.

Informational interviewing, which is an informal conversation you can have with someone working in an area that interests you, is another way to learn more about different jobs and career paths. The objective is not to find a job (it is not a job interview) but to ask questions, to get information about different aspects of a career and educational paths leading to it, and to make professional connections. 

Your interview or job-shadow experience may inspire you in ways that you can write about in your college applications.

5. Read and self-study

Taking the initiative to learn something completely on your own can also help you stand out to colleges and show your passion for learning.

For example, let’s say you love languages and you teach yourself Hindi over the summer. Or you are passionate about American Literature and make it your goal to read every book and short story written by Mark Twain. Or perhaps you are fascinated by finance, so you spend the summer learning the fundamentals of investing, trading virtual stocks, and reading books by leaders in the field.

You can also get a jump on any AP coursework you plan to take in the fall using online resources like Khan Academy, the Princeton Review, or Kaplan, or brush up on your math and science basics to prepare for the coming year of high school.

6. Prep for the SAT or ACT

Although many schools have adopted test-optional and test-flexible policies, you may still want to take the SAT or ACT. A handful of Ivy League and other top colleges and universities have reinstated testing requirements, and good test scores may enhance your application even at test-optional schools. If you plan to take or retake these tests, summer is a good time to prepare for them. You might consider taking a test-prep course, working with a tutor, or studying on your own using books and free online resources.

7. Research colleges

Colleges like to see that students are serious about their college journey and have considered what kind of educational experience they want. Summertime may offer you the free time needed to think about the college qualities that matter to you and to begin to build a balanced college list of reaches, safeties and match schools.

If you’re just starting to think about college, you might set aside some time this summer to visit college websites, go on virtual or in-person college tours, or attend some of the online programs or seminars offered by the admissions office.

If you’re narrowing down your college list, dig into academic departments, professors and their research, and student clubs at some of your finalist colleges. You might also consider reaching out to the admissions office and see if they can put you in touch with current students.

8. Improve your online presence

Colleges sometimes look at social media to learn more about applicants, and you’ll want them to see evidence of your interests and abilities in your social profiles. You might consider creating a LinkedIn profile that lists your extracurriculars, work experience, and honors and awards. Take the time to remove images and posts that don’t reflect well on you.

Handling Roomate Issues - Tip is to be Proactive!

It's exciting to move to campus and start college life, but first-year students are usually a bit anxious, too. One of the biggest unknowns: Will I get along with my roommate?

I’ve worked in Residence Life for years and the one thing I know for certain is that whenever people live together in close quarters there will be moments of contention. College roommates can work through these moments as long as they’re open to discussing their issues. I remind students living in my residence hall that silence condones behavior. When a problem arises, they’re expected to handle it on their own through communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.

During these times, parents are likely to receive desperate, teary phone calls. It’s painful to hear from your students when they’re distressed and you may be tempted to jump in.

Please don’t. I’ve seen parents get involved in roommate situations and it never turns out well. Unless a student feels like they're in real danger, a parent's role is to listen and ask about the steps they've taken in the situation.

College is a great soft training ground for young adults to learn how to handle adversity. I'm going to share some insights to help you guide your new college student as they learn to share space in a residence hall.

First College Roommate: Friend or Nightmare?

When incoming college students think ahead to living with a roommate, they often expect the person will either be their soulmate or a complete horror show. The truth is their attitude as they adjust to dorm life can really impact what unfolds next.

During these early days, encourage your student to keep an open mind. Remind them that their roommate, and all the other first-year students, are just as nervous about sharing space with strangers as they are.

The Initial Conversation

Most first-year students receive their housing assignment over the summer. This leaves plenty of time to connect with their roommate before move-in, and in the age of social media, they know all sorts of personal information about each other before they meet in person.

Now they actually have to build a relationship and TALK to each other. A few intentional conversations can help set the stage for better communication all year long. What should be considered during these initial talks?

1. Remember Everyone Is Unique

There are so many subjects to consider when sharing space. Remembering that not everyone is alike (family background, life experiences, personal beliefs, daily habits, etc.) will save your student frustration and heartache. It's natural to look at the world from our own perspective; to share space with someone else, students need to accept the perspective of others.

2. Be Authentic

Students shouldn’t feel the need to impress their new roommate. They should be honest about themselves and their expectations.

3. Set Boundaries

It's important for students to recognize the need for boundaries; clear boundaries help ensure everyone is comfortable. Some boundaries to discuss include sharing items, cleanliness, study time, visitors, and noise. Students should understand their own preferred boundaries while being realistic and respectful.

4. Compromise

While boundaries are important, so is compromise. The rules can’t benefit only one person — each roommate has to participate in creating a fair and fun living environment for everyone. This means taking other people’s needs and preferences into consideration. There may be some things your student has to do differently.

5. Expect Change

Students’ day-to-day habits tend to evolve based on how they’re managing with their newfound freedom. So everything discussed in these early conversations may change over the course of the school year; roommates might have to address a new set of boundaries based on what’s happening.

What If There’s Still a Problem?

Even when roommates do all the right things, there may be strife. Every student housing department has protocols for handling roommate issues. The next step, after trying to work things out on their own and giving it at least two weeks to see change, is to speak with their Resident Assistant/Advisor (RA). The RA has been trained to work with roommates on mediation. As a last resort there are also protocols to change rooms or roommates.

Roommates can be joy and pain. In my housing experience, I’m grateful to say I’ve seen much more joy than pain. There are roommates who remain friends after college and those who are grateful to separate as soon as the school year ends. I’ve also had many students who got along and lived well together without being super close friends because they were respectful of one another.

There are all types of roommate experiences and for the most part they grow out of what each person brings to their living situation. Parents, support your students as they navigate this new path. Encourage open and honest dialogue and compromise.

 

From: Grown and Flown

Summer is Primetime for Writing College Application Essays

By Amanda Lough

As the school year winds down and summer season begins, it’s important for rising seniors and parents of college-bound high school students to understand the necessity of writing the college application essay during these sunny months. In this article, we’ll explore why tackling this crucial task early on can lead to a smoother application process and increase your chances of standing out among your competitors. 

Beat the Fall Rush: Start Crafting Your College Application Essay Now

Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for stress and mediocre essays. Writing your essay during the summer allows you to beat the business of the fall. Many students wait until the last minute to start their essays, which leads to unnecessary stress and compromises the quality of their work- when the school year sets in, they become consumed by homework, extracurricular activities and outside jobs and are unable to dedicate the time needed to write an excellent essay. You want to be able to focus on your academics when you need to, and your essay should not have to fall by the wayside because of that. By starting early, you have ample time to pick a prompt that resonates with you, brainstorm ideas, conduct research, and craft a compelling essay without feeling that crunch.

Unleash Your Creativity: The Benefits of Summer for Essay Writing

The relaxed summer atmosphere fosters inspiration and allows for self-reflection. The slower paced nature of summer provides an ideal environment for unleashing your creativity! With fewer academic pressures and time constraints, you can let your imagination run free and explore unique perspectives. Dive deep and see where your thoughts take you. Take advantage of this downtime to reflect on your experiences, values, and goals- this will result in a more authentic and engaging essay that captures the attention of admissions officers.

Engage in Meaningful Experiences: Gather Material for Your Essay

Exploring summer activities, internships, and travel can help you create experiences that can enrich your essay and make it stand out. Summer offers a wealth of opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences that can enhance your essay. Whether it’s participating in internships, volunteering, traveling, or pursuing personal projects, these experiences provide valuable material to incorporate into your essay. Stay away from cliches, and avoid rehashing your extracurricular list- admissions officers will see that on your application! By sharing specific anecdotes and lessons learned through these other experiences, you will make your essay more vivid and memorable to admissions officers.

Time for Reflection: Developing a Unique Narrative

Summer break provides an opportunity for introspection and discovering compelling personal stories. During summer break, time is on your side and you have the luxury of intentionally taking time to engage in introspection. Reflect on moments that have shaped you, challenges you’ve overcome, ways that you have grown and lessons you’ve learned. Perhaps incorporate some of the experiences mentioned in the paragraph above if you’ve had the opportunity to do any of them. Your essay is your one opportunity to use your voice, and stand out from who you are “on paper”. Developing a unique narrative that showcases your character and resilience will make your essay memorable and distinct. 

Seek Feedback and Edit: The Importance of Revision

Utilize the summer months to share your essay with mentors, teachers, and school counselors for valuable feedback. Communicate with the trusted adults in your circle prior to reaching out to them in the summer- have a conversation with them before the school year ends so that they are aware that you’ll be sending them your essay for review. With fewer academic commitments, they are more likely to have the time and availability to provide thoughtful insights and suggestions for improvement. After you receive this feedback, start polishing your work. Edit, edit, then edit some more! This revision process is crucial for refining your essay and making it the best it can be.

Enjoy a Head Start: Lessen the Burden of the College Application Process

By completing your essay early, you can reduce stress, allowing more time to focus on other application components in the fall. Getting an early start on your college application essay lessens the burden of the overall process. Once your essay is completed, you can shift your focus to other essential components, such as standardized tests, recommendation letters, and extracurricular involvement. This proactive approach reduces stress and allows you to manage your time effectively throughout the application process.

All students applying to college want to give themselves an edge over everyone else in the application pool. By choosing to write your college application essay during the summer months, you’re gaining a significant advantage over those who wait until the fall. The relaxed atmosphere, ample time for reflection, the ability to seek feedback, and the opportunity to engage in meaningful experiences all contribute to the creation of a compelling essay that truly reflects your unique qualities and experiences. So, take advantage of the summer break and get a head start on this crucial part of the college application process.