<p>So far, my additional info section just has stuff that wouldn't fit in other parts of the application (additional family members, awards, stuff like that). But I've heard of people using the additional info to write entire essays and resumes, and to explain stuff like their parents' divorce or bad grades, and that sort of stuff. Do I need to do that? My parents are divorced, but it's not really a big deal, and there's not much to explain about it, unless you don't know what "divorce" means. Should I still talk about it in the additional info section? Or is their anything else I should say? My additional info section just seems a little bare right now.</p>
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<p>Yes, people do this kind of thing, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. The Additional Info section is NOT the place for an additional essay. Consider how much adcoms have to read already with the required essays, would it be a good idea to presume that they should read even more? And as far as excuses for bad grades, if they were beyond the control of the student, they should be discussed by the GC in the SSR, this kind of information is best coming from someone other than the applicant.</p>
<p>As far as personal information, that really depends on the situation. The marital status of your parents is asked for on the CA, so there is no reason to state that in the Additional Info section. It’s OK for the Additional Info section to be empty. Likely adcoms will be happy to see an applicant who doesn’t necessarily believe that they’re “special” ;).</p>
<p>It’s a good place to briefly explain any ECs that the reader might not be familiar with, and to clarify how extensive the time commitment or your awards in that EC are.</p>
<p>It might also be a good place to explain why you want to attend X University, what you’d contribute, if there is not another place where you have already explained that.</p>
<p>Many students use that space for a full resume so as to be able to explain role in ECs, jobs, etc., in ways that don’t fit into the little boxes. Also information such as living abroad or awrds that require some detail to have impact. The resume doesn’t need to be (and shouldn’t be) overly long, but can round out the picture.</p>
<p>Thank you. I was just worried that not having a lot of stuff in that section would be a bad thing.</p>