"Additional Information" on Common App.

<p>I'm currently in the process of filling out the common application so I can send it off to my early action schools (Nov. 1 deadline), and I'm currently only beginning the essay part (haven't really been slacking, just been working on supplements). Anyway, my question is moreso about the section under the essay, the "additional information" section. Here's what the Common App. says verbatum - "If you have any additional information that was not specifically requested or did not fit in the space provided, feel free to include it here."</p>

<p>What exactly is that space generally used for?</p>

<p>Also, I was thinking about writing my essay about how I've matured on a variety of levels throughout high school (to explain how my GPA has steadily grown from below a 3.0 as a freshman to a 4.3 this semester). Would that be a decent main essay (personal statement) topic, a possible topic to write about in that "additional information" section, or a topic I should put on the back burner?</p>

<p>Actually, that would be a good use of the 'Additional Info' section.</p>

<p>Great, I think that's what I'll be going with then.</p>

<p>Now the question is, what do I write about for the main essay (personal statement)? They pretty much leave it as wide open as possible, but I was thinking of picking a political topic such as the Darfur conflict and sharing my opinions about it. I'm not a radical by any means, so I doubt I'd offend anyone tackling a subject like that. Is that the kind of thing they're looking for from a personal statement, or would they usually prefer something about you, like a biography or a description of an important event in your life?</p>

<p>If you write an impersonal essay on Darfur (I know it was probably just a tpyo, but it helps to spell it right!), you won't be helping the admissions people learn more about you. If you use it as a platform to talk about what kind of person you are -- a tough mission I should think -- it would be fine. Remember, they want to know what and who you are, not what you think about world affairs.</p>

<p>To help you calibrate things, my son's Common App essay 1 was about his election as a Boy Scout Patrol Leader when he was 13 -- and how he wasn't a very good one. I think it's warm, honest, sometimes funny, and a good insight into one stage of a boy maturing into a man. It has zip to do with The Great Issues of Our Time, but it is consistent with what he's heard from experts on what the essay should be.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If you write an impersonal essay on Darfur (I know it was probably just a tpyo, but it helps to spell it right!), you won't be helping the admissions people learn more about you. If you use it as a platform to talk about what kind of person you are -- a tough mission I should think -- it would be fine. Remember, they want to know what and who you are, not what you think about world affairs.</p>

<p>To help you calibrate things, my son's Common App essay 1 was about his election as a Boy Scout Patrol Leader when he was 13 -- and how he wasn't a very good one. I think it's warm, honest, sometimes funny, and a good insight into one stage of a boy maturing into a man. It has zip to do with The Great Issues of Our Time, but it is consistent with what he's heard from experts on what the essay should be.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Haha. Yeah, definitely a typo there, thanks for pointing it out. I type so fast that I forget letters here and there on 'boards like this, but on the essay I'll definitely be proof reading.</p>

<p>Your son's essay sounds interesting, and I like the angle he decided to take describing his shortcomings. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble really thinking of a personal topic that I could do a good job with. I guess I'll have to do that when it's all said and done though, because that's what everyone's telling me to do.</p>

<p>Just curious, did your son get accepted to his top choice school with that essay topic, or is he currently going to the application process like myself?</p>

<p>ND, he's in the trenches with you. He's currently sweating the "additional information" on the Common App. Good luck! It took John about two weeks to come up with the patrol leader angle.</p>