<p>What do people normally include in the "additional info" area of common app?
My father was actually incarcerated for two years, but I don't want to use this as a crutch, so I don't want to write about in my essay. I want to write a good essay that can stand on its own, not an attempt to warrant pity. I do believe, though, that it is an extremly significant and defining experience to bring up. Should I put this in the additional info or would I risk mentioning it too casually? I want to mention it somehow in my application, but I don't know where or how to do it.. Help?? Clueless senior at your mercy...</p>
<p>Shameless bump</p>
<p>You don't want to include another essay in that section. I suppose you could tell about your circumstances there but make it seem more objective and not as if you're looking for sympathy.</p>
<p>any others?</p>
<p>
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it is an extremely significant and defining experience
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<p>The "additional information" section is precisely for important information that does not readily fit elsewhere in the application.</p>
<p>Explaining a "significant and defining experience" in a matter-of-fact manner need not constitute a call for pity. Imo, simply state the facts and show (rather than "tell") how the experience was "significant" and "defining".</p>
<p>I think anything that gives more information about your character is appropriate to put in there. My son listed a few more activities that he did not have space for and he also wrote about his summer activities and then mentioned what it was like growing up in a single parent house since the age of three. He mentioned his efforts to play and perservere at sports, even though he never had a dad around and how he was always the smallest on the team and that it made him stronger. Not a pity party, but something that demonstrates a life situation that helped him build character and makes him a bit different. Maybe it was overkill, but at the small schools they all advocated telling them anything that would help them to get a sense of how you are as a person.</p>
<p>Iused the section to explain extraordinary circumstances like multiple military moves during high school and add information that didnt have a place on the rest of the app that I wanted admissions to know about me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful posts everyone.</p>
<p>I think it's better if you ask a teacher or the counselor to explain this situation in a rec, then to tell it yourself. The additional info section is for other things. For example, I listed the courses that didn't fit into the common application form because I am an international and I have more courses than in the States.</p>
<p>Honestly, though, I don't know the depth in which a counselor or teacher could possibly explain it... Hmmm, so I should not put it in additional info??? How can I inform the admissions people of this? What do others normally do in situations like this? Any help guys?</p>
<p>I'd still go with "additional information". A GC or teacher could not convey the personal, "defining" and "extremely significant" nature of the experience.</p>
<p>Any other thoughts? Jan 1 is rolling around the corner........</p>
<p>If you feel it is necessary to explain on your application, then put it in.</p>
<p>Only use the additional info section, if you think it is necessary to use it.</p>