<p>Just asking for some commentary on the additional information on the CommonApp.</p>
<p>More specifically:
Is it ONLY supposed to be used for things like resumes and activity sheets?<br>
Is it common or even heard of to use if for a more personal statement (this would be more applicable to transfers who are only allowed to use their main essay to write why they're transferring)</p>
<p>I'm asking because my boyfriend is transferring to NYU/Columbia and his "elaborate on an EC" statement ended up turning into a very interesting/excellent essay. Unfortunately, it is WELL over 250 words.</p>
<p>Any other commentary on the additional info section is more than welcome!</p>
<p>It is NOT to be use for things like resumes and activity sheets. In fact, I believe CommonApp explicitly states to not attach a resume. It’s NOT a place for a personal statement.</p>
<p>It’s additional information. It’s not a place for a personal statement. Its a place to clarify/add/explain parts of your application that may not be clear or accurate otherwise.</p>
<p>He needs to cut his essay down to 250. Do not even think about including it in the additional information section. You can’t just submit an extra essay- would be TOTALLY unfair to all the other applicants.</p>
<p>I attached my favorite UVA essay to some of my schools additional information section. Along with a note saying I would take January SAT II’s - which I never did… Sigh, think this will effect me?</p>
<p>Pancaked - I disagree. I think an essay that the applicant really liked would fit this space fine. It would not be unfair to all other applicants because everyone single one of them also has the opportunity to put an extra essay.</p>
<p>^Probably not, it’ll likely be totally overlooked. Except:
"In addition, first-year applicants are strongly urged to provide the results of two SAT II subject area "</p>
<p>Yeah, the wording is a little tricky
“Include any additional information that you would like to provide regarding special circumstances, additional qualifications, etc.”</p>
<p>Any additional information that he’d like to provide regarding special circumstances, additional qualifications…</p>
<p>This is, the essay that he wrote addresses an “additional qualification” in an indirect narrative. Like, his “additional qualification” regards an extraordinary thing that he experienced in his life that changed everything for him. </p>
<p>Now, though, he’s noticing that he can direct his essay to make it also relate to the “why nyu/columbia” thing so I think he’s gonna take that route and submit it as his main essay.</p>
<p>No UVA, you don’t understand. Many students fill out a paper application which does not provide room for an entire essay. It gives you an unfair advantage to attach an essay. Colleges will not consider it. They can’t. If they wanted to read and consider a second essay, they would ask for it. Instead, they just ask for additional information. </p>
<p>Ex, from Stanford:
“We ask, however, that you please resist the impulse to send us extra items. Additional materials will not be evaluated.”</p>
<p>I would say that if your essay is about your life during highschool, ex. events/experiences that affect your performance or shows your ability to overcome obstacles, it may be acceptable. That is, information about things you have done/accomplished that are not describe in your application. That’s pretty much it. Guess you could stretch that definition to cover a number of essays, but meh. Don’t abuse the section just because it’s there.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with Pancaked now that I’ve done some more research.</p>
<p>Transfer applications are tricky because they’re so grade-driven. There’s like, barely any sections to show that you’re an interesting person but fortunately he just realized that the essay he wrote relates ridiculously to their only option for the main transfer essay prompt.</p>
<p>So, he’s skipping the additional information section entirely. Anyway, it has a max 1,000 char limit.</p>