<p>I know, I know, you aren't supposed to include your life story in the applications- I get that part, but I just feel the need to explain so many things in my app and the 'Additional info' section feels like the best way to do so!</p>
<p>So how do I best do that without cutting down my chances of admission significantly (I'm applying to the highly selective schools)? Should i just make bullet lists? All I really need to put down is a one-line elaboration of certain things.</p>
<p>Or would it be a better idea to include a supplemental essay on a single subject in that section?</p>
<p>leo, keep in mind that the colleges don’t want to know how you spent every minute of your days, but they do want to know about the 1-3 things that you may be particularly passionate or talented. For example, you may really like languages, so connecting that to travel and the many countries you’ve spent time may be appropriate. If you really like sports, you may connect that to coaching a youth league or mastering your sport at a national level. If you have a special talent in music, perhaps you have taken private lessons for 10 years and are now 1st chair at the all-state orchestra two years in a row. Don’t just list a bunch of disconnected activities, show that you are passionate and very good at a much smaller list that is meaningful.</p>
<p>@SnowflakeVT, what if you want to explain a particular time of your life where you had to go through some special circumstances or anything? I mean how do you tell them? You write an essay that would reflect what you had to go through or you just write up a short letter explaining everything? I mean what would be the best thing to do.</p>
<p>@suamatiwana, If there is a particular time of your life that defines who you are now and what motivates you, I would actually suggest making this your main essay. They will read about who you are, and at the same time, see that you have an excellent writing style that show that you can write at the college level. There is not a better place for this, and don’t include extra essays … you’ll look desperate versus qualified. If you are using the common app, there is a choice for the main essay (Writing) where you can select a topic of your choice (the last choice). I hope this helps.</p>
<p>actually, I thought the additional info section was meant for something entirely different :S
I want to include info about not having a college counselor, and clarify some aspects of my personal data that I’m worried might not make sense to the admissons committee (two addresses, part online-part mail application, stuff like that)
Do you think this is the wrong place to do that? :S</p>
<p>Can I do…both? :S Or attach a resume as well as a few succint points on these things…</p>