<p>The personal statement consists of three questions. The third question is this open-ended one. What do they want to hear there? Can I just write <em>anything</em>? For example, there is this "is there anything else we should know?" section on the Stanford app. That's not suited for the open-ended question, since there is this part 4 where I can put it, right? So what do I do there?</p>
<p>Kinda. However there is a 4th 'essay' where you can give them two or three sentences explaining something if necessary, like "I wanted to take AP X and AP Y, but I could only take one because my school limited me, and now I'm studying for AP Y outside of school.:</p>
<p>Well, I want to tell them three things basically:
(1) explain why I couldn't take some courses
(2) explain in more detail what I did in research projects
(3) elaborate a bit on the significance of an award I received</p>
<p>Does this belong into part 3 (open-ended) or part 4? Because that won't fit in two or three sentences...</p>
<p>I don't remember a "4th essay." Use part 3 to explain one or all three of what you want to explain if you feel it is necessary. You have more room than 2 or 3 sentences to do this.
What exactly is "part 4?"</p>
<p>Well, part 4 is not really part of the personal statement. It says:</p>
<p>" Use this space only to clarify or expand on other information as directed earlier in the application (e.g., to list additional names, explain citizenship/visa issues, list IB exams that won't fit in Step 5, etc.). Do not use this space to respond to the three previous questions. Evaluators will not consider the information here as part of your personal statement. "</p>
<p>So I'm not sure to put my three points in this fourth part, or rather in part 3, the open-ended question.</p>
<p>It's really up to you what to do on these 3 items you want to include, I don't think it will make a difference either way where you put them.</p>