<p>Q1: So I was advised on here to explain that I wasn't able to be involved in anything in 9th and 10th grade due to having to take care of the house and my brother from the time I got home until 1 a.m. on the additional info section. Do I just come right out and say that or what? So when explaining my situation, how do I explain that. Do I just start off with, "I wasn't able to be involved much b/c of family responsibilities blah blah blah" or what, that seems too forward and like I'm making excuses. I've also asked my teachers to mention it in their recs but obviously it's not a sure thing they will. Should I get my counselor to write a letter explaining it to them or would a counselor's letter, teacher recs, and the additional info look like way too much and then look bad?</p>
<p>Q2: Also, in terms of letting a school know they are your top choice (I am applying ED), can I also mention either in the add. info section or my supplement for the school that I'd be ecstatic even with an offer of a guaranteed transfer? I think that might sound somewhat desperate...</p>
<p>Q3: For the additional info section, I think I'd also like to add a little bit how I'm not like typical girls: I'm really interested in politics and follow sports religiously. I also dress VERY modestly and all of that in combination with being 100% Romanian and trilingual I think I could add a diversity factor. Could I add that there?</p>
<p>^lol I know. But I just want to them to know that I really, really want to go there. So much that I’d be happy even with a GT. And thus maybe getting an offer of a GT instead of a rejection or waitlist.</p>
<p>Q1. It’s more appropriate for this kind of information to come from your GC than teachers, and less awkward than if you say it.</p>
<p>Q2. Agree with joe, top choice is implied by applying ED.</p>
<p>Q3. IMO this information is either irrelevant to your application (dress) or belongs elsewhere. Your ethnicity can be put in the demographic information section or your essay; trilingual and politics could show up in your ECs or essays, interest in sports??</p>
<p>I’d advise you not to use the Additional Information randomly, as it could end up more of a detriment than a help, remember: don’t show, do.</p>
<p>Such info can come from your GC, and you also can include it in the additional info section or as part of your essay.</p>
<p>The relatively few colleges that use ECs for admission (and those are the most competitive colleges in the country – places like HPYS) count the kind of family responsibilities you have the same as strong ECs.</p>
<p>Wow! These were all great answers! They were really a lot of help, now I actually have an idea of what the heck I should do, haha. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Q1: There’s a Additional Info section on the application. I used it when applying to Yale to explain I couldn’t do ECs far from my local surroundings because I had to take the bus to get around everywhere. </p>
<p>Q2: Applying Early Decision, which is binding, is enough as a statement of interest. </p>
<p>Q3: Eh… I’d use that topic in one of my supplements if asked.</p>
<p>Yeah. I did. I just explained honestly and concisely. The amusing thing about college applications is that people tend to make their essays needlessly verbose and convoluted to give it an air of sophistication. </p>
<p>Just say what you want them to know, and be straightforward about it. It’ll work out well.</p>