"Additional Information" section

<p>What is "too much" for additional information?</p>

<p>I wanted to find a way to let schools know that I switched schools in the middle of sophomore year which explains the oddities in my transcript during my sophomore year (went from standard 7-period schedule to block schedule). The pathway I chose to do this was to write an essay about my struggles with switching schools, and then talking about how trivial my experiences were compared to my little brother, who dealt with bullying at his new school; my little brother's experiences were one of the catalysts of me being a found of The Anti-Bullying Movement at my school.</p>

<p>So essentially, I wanted to knock two birds out with one stone using additional information on Common App: highlight the fact that my move had influence on my academics while also highlighting an extracurricular achievement of mine.</p>

<p>The only problem: This essay I wrote is over 600 words, which is longer than the main Common App essay is allowed to be (500 words). Is this an issue?</p>

<p>Some of you may recommend for me to make this my main Common App essay, but I already finished that one, a pretty good essay about a significant experience in my life.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

<p>I do not think the adcoms want to read 2 essays so you choose which one you want to use.</p>

<p>You want to let them know that the switch affected your performance but an entire essay in the additional section is too much. Be super brief, concise and to point if you choose to not use that essay for your main one.</p>