<p>I have a complicated family situation that I feel is a big part of my life. I tried explaining it in the additional information section and it comes out to ~520 words. I know admissions officers have to read a lot of applications and I don't want to bore them or make it sound like I'm telling them the story of my life just because I can. Is 520 words way too much or still reasonable?</p>
<p>Also, what other things do people typically put in the Additional Information section? I'm adding a handful of activities that weren't in my activity section, but I don't know what else the area could be used for.</p>
<p>have your gc handle explaining any family stuff/factors beyond your control
you use the section for extra awards/honors</p>
<p>A whole different essay on your family situation is not appropriate for this section. Nor is a resume (which some people want to include). The types of things that go in this section:</p>
<ul>
<li>Additional information on ECs that won’t fit in the EC section (either more detail on ECs you listed, or additional ECs because you have more than will fit)</li>
<li>As of last year’s version you couldn’t put online classes that were not for credit in the high school or college course section. So my D listed online courses she tooked, why she took them, and what level of certification she received.</li>
</ul>
<p>Try to use bullet points for what you put in.</p>
<p>Why do you need to include this family information? The only things I can think of that might be appropriate are ones that impacted your grades or ability to do ECs. VERY VERY brief descriptions. Things like years in foster care, serious illness of a parent or sibling or yourself, hurricane/fire/flood pushing you out of your home for an extended period, or responsibilities caring for a family member. But I don’t think an essay is appropriate. They don’t want to read a lot, and you don’t want to sound like you are making excuses. And in some situations it is better to ask your school guidance counselor to help your communicate your situation to the college instead of putting it in your application.</p>
<p>If the information is related to your family’s financial situation, it isn’t appropriate for your application anyway. You can write a separate letter to the FA office when you apply with that information.</p>
<p>Thank you, that’s what I thought. My guidance counselor has only known me for one year and only knows the surface of it, but I guess I’ll tell her about it. Bullet points sound good, thanks again.</p>