<p>I'm trying to apply to UIUC and CMU for computer science right now, and for both of the application, there is a section that asks for an optional additional information, and I was wondering what exactly do they want to hear and what they don't want to hear. I was thinking if that is going to be like a 200 word essay explaining why I wasn't doing as great as i could be doing and why I'm doing a lot better now (saying how i'm more organized and more goal-oriented now, not that i had some weird disease, or someone in my family dying). Is that what I should be writing or should I be writing that someplace else? Also, for the personal essay, I can write ANYTHING that I want?</p>
<p>i'm not sure what you mean by the personal essay, but if you mean the common app essay, then you can certainly write anything.</p>
<p>optional additional information can be used to write about various topics -- if you feel the need to explicate a drop in grades, you may want to explain a bit. i wouldn't go too far though; it may come off as prying for pity. however, i would avoid explaining it if your reason, for not having done as great as you could have, is bad organization and motivation. i would only write about it if there were extenuating circumstances, like family problems.</p>
<p>Shouldn't all that information go in the additional info section on the regular common app? Is there any difference between the additional info on the normal common app and on the supplements? Should you write in both?</p>
<p>Okay so for the college i applied to for early, I already wrote two solid essays. But for one of the colleges I'm applying for regular, they only want one 500-word one. SHould I use the Additional Info box for my second essay? Will the adcoms read it?</p>
<p>I really want to submit both essays -- they complement each other VERY well.</p>
<p>All of the college workshops I've been to told me that the additional comments section is NOT MEANT FOR YOU TO WRITE ANOTHER ESSAY!! It's best to leave it blank.</p>
<p>^^ Why?</p>
<p>In my case it really "adds a whole new perspective" and it isn't wordy, repetitive, or boring. GAHH.</p>
<p>I really wish every college basically gives the option to do another essay on any topic you like in addition to the common essay.</p>