<p>On the Common App, is the question about how we spent our last summer optional (It's under Academic Information)? I'm confused because I don't understand why it's not under the Personal Statements if it's not optional.</p>
<p>It should be mandatory, as it is on the Embark application. It's probably not classified as a personal statement because of the nature of the question; I think it's significantly different from the personal statement questions. Who knows though.</p>
<p>You don't really have to be creative about that question, it's just a question that you can just give a plain "I volunteered/worked/studied at..." statement.</p>