A friend just told me her daughter submitted another essay in that section of the common app. Has anyone heard of this before? I thought it was an interesting use of the space. Thoughts?
I doubt that will go over too well. If they wanted another essay they would have asked for another essay.
The only reason to use it would be to indicate that additional test scores will be forthcoming or other pertinent information to your application that is not covered. Since the ACT test scores are lagging a few schools my daughter is applying to said to use that to indicate the October scores will be forthcoming. The damn change of ACT essay and delay of scores has been a terrible burden.
S had two essays. The second one could be a “why X” essay if needed. If not, he put it in the additional info space with a why X ending.
I wouldn’t waste the opportunity to add something. If the kid has some problem that needs to be explained, of course it could be used for that. If not, use it to strengthen the personal impression of the student.
I really don’t think admission officers are looking for more essays to read. Sometimes less is more.
I think the idea of a very SHORT “Why X” essay, mentioned above, is a good idea if that school’s application isn’t otherwise asking for that…and assuming you have something of value to say.
I would not recommend a single, full, fill-the-space essay.
My son used the section to add a few sentences regarding an emergency surgery that affected an athletic season, an award at school that had special meaning to him, and something else I can’t recall. It’s a great space to use to personalize what are otherwise just lists of EC’s and honors that must all look pretty much the same when you’re reading 100’s of applications. Keep it clear and concise.
The head of college placement told our Seniors that VERY FEW of them should be using that section. It’s for the kids who have had exceptional circumstances (not just those who consider themselves exceptional 
– my words, not hers.)
It’s NOT a way to get around the 650 word max on the essay; it’s a way to explain special circumstances.
The Additional Info is not intended for supplemental essays. It is for things like:
- Bulleting out some addition info on sections of the app where space isn’t sufficient (example, listing competitions won within an individual EC).
- If a student has more than 10 credible/relevant ECs, complete the list in additional info (both my kids did)
- List things that don’t fit in the Common App – one of my kids listed MOOCs.
- Clarification of points in the Common App – like the math sequence at my kids’ school had this weirdly titled class for 10th grade that didn’t have the word honors in the title, but it was the honors class.
- It can be used to explain special circumstances – repeated moves, serious student or family illness that affected academics or EC participation, family status like foster care. However, in most cases, this is better coming in the GCs recommendation if possible. Too easy for it to sound like making excuses or to give too much personal info when the student does it.
Clear and concise is the way to go. I don’t agree that an additional Why X essay is the way to go. If they wanted it, they would have asked for it. A well done app will already contain enough info to show Why X – fit will show in essays, ECs, and academics.
I think it depends on the type of school, the essay, and the kid.
I know your kid has already done it… but sorry, that does not make it a good recommendation for others.
You don’t want time taken away from them reading the basics and commenting on your app, just because you think a 2nd essay will impress or a three page resume will wow them. They review fast, don’t side track them.
As intparent says, use it for something they need to know, something you need to clarify. And keep it short.
My son used it to explain why he was applying as a junior. It was his most humorous essay. He was admitted to the tech schools, but it didn’t help with H or UPenn, even though my relatives or I were alumni.
I work as a college advisor. The only reason I tell the student to use it is to explain unusual circumstances, like a school interruption, grade anomaly, or other such situation. However, if they have unbelievable accomplishments (where the 10 activities on the CA won’t cut it) , and need more space to include additional information about them, they can submit a resume or explain these. I agree that admissions officers probably aren’t interested in reading another essay.
One more voice added to the dont wwaste the adcomms time with another unrequested essay.
^Ditto
If the college wanted to read an additional essay, it would have added a additional essay to the application. So, writing an essay in the additional info box will not impress colleges - in fact it will probably just tick them off. The appropriate use of the additional info space is as @STJH wrote above.
I got the opposite advice from a well known private college consultant. Both of my sons wrote additional essays. It definitely did not hurt them in admissions.
Hmmm…I had always heard the advice that the additional space should be used only to explain “special circumstances” such as death of parent/sibling, move to a new town in the middle of high school, had to work long hours to support the family, long-term illness affecting grades…something to explain why some other part of your application might be misconstrued or misunderstood because the right questions weren’t asked. In other words, an opportunity to provide context, not an opportunity for more self-promotion.
Of course, I could be persuaded that all parts of the app provide valuable real estate, and all spaces should be filled; not sure about that particular section tho.
We also used a private consultant, although just a retired local GC, not someone “well known”. But she had a strong track record locally of helping her clients get into highly selective schools. She definitely recommended using the Additional Info space. I agree that it shouldn’t be used just to stick in another random essay. But I also think that it’s not necessarily limited to unusual, hardship circumstances or bullet point lists. Remember that since it’s not the CA essay, it can be changed when you submit each app (somebody correct me if I’m wrong about this). So you can tailor it to that particular school.Some schools ask lots of short answer questions but others don’t ask for much. For example, Claremont McKenna is a school that is known to prize leadership but in my opinion didn’t give much space on the app to explain how you’re a leader. Anyway, my D used basically all of the allotted space in the Additional Info section to include an expanded discussion of her three top EC’s and why they were important to her. She felt that that info, combined with her CA essay, really helped paint a picture of who she is and what makes her tick. She got into her ED1 school so I can’t say how she would’ve fared at all the others.
Could you share what school she was accepted ED so we can have a sense of what school was okay with reading?
I have also heard a small paragraph or two is fine.