Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 11:12     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, put all the additional info.

Colleges loves it when you break their recommendations and rules.


This is really old grandma advice. You are out of touch with how the process works right now.


I mean .. it does sound like people who used the additional info section did okay - or at least were not harmed
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:54     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:DC's acceptances into two T5 schools used the Addl Info to talk a little more about 'why yale'.

IOW, unique to the college. Different on each app. Tied activities or research to the college.


This is what our private's CCO recommended for UVA. It worked.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:47     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:Yes, put all the additional info.

Colleges loves it when you break their recommendations and rules.


This is really old grandma advice. You are out of touch with how the process works right now.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:47     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:DC's acceptances into two T5 schools used the Addl Info to talk a little more about 'why yale'.

IOW, unique to the college. Different on each app. Tied activities or research to the college.


Same. Kid tweaked Addtl Info for each school. Great outcomes.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:40     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is not for expanding the activities and honors. It is to explain an extenuating circumstance or anomaly. Were you unable to take AP Physics bc it conflicted with AP Latin? Did the IB program not offer something this year? Did you move and so your sequence of classes was off? Were you hospitalized and missed something? Was there a policy change at your school that affected you? These are the things to mention in a SUPER brief sentence ot two. Do not submit an extra essay or add honors and more activities. That can really piss off the AO.


No doesn't that go in Challenges & Circumstances?

Common App split the two up.


We put high school scheduling information (for scheduling reasons, DD had to choose between continuing their language or continuing math) in the additional information section.

I think I read somewhere that information that informs the interpretation of the transcript should go there. And it didn’t really feel big enough for challenges and circumstances, which is for “disruptions” like divorce, cancer, and natural disasters. There was no disruption here, it was literally just a small-school scheduling issue.

Got into a T20.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:40     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
DC's acceptances into two T5 schools used the Addl Info to talk a little more about 'why yale'.

IOW, unique to the college. Different on each app. Tied activities or research to the college.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:38     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Yes, put all the additional info.

Colleges loves it when you break their recommendations and rules.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:33     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Controversial take:

DC used the additional info section heavily. Even though App Nation said not to.

DC into multiple T20.

Don't listen to all of the naysayers. Don't attach a resume (unless you have fine arts, debate, theater, music, etc) but do use the extra space to make sure they get a true sense of your accomplishments.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:30     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:This is not for expanding the activities and honors. It is to explain an extenuating circumstance or anomaly. Were you unable to take AP Physics bc it conflicted with AP Latin? Did the IB program not offer something this year? Did you move and so your sequence of classes was off? Were you hospitalized and missed something? Was there a policy change at your school that affected you? These are the things to mention in a SUPER brief sentence ot two. Do not submit an extra essay or add honors and more activities. That can really piss off the AO.


This is really old outdated info because Common App now has two sections: one for the challenges you faced (scheduling, hospitalizations) and one for additional info.

Watch all of the webinars out there. The second section is now full.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:29     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:This is not for expanding the activities and honors. It is to explain an extenuating circumstance or anomaly. Were you unable to take AP Physics bc it conflicted with AP Latin? Did the IB program not offer something this year? Did you move and so your sequence of classes was off? Were you hospitalized and missed something? Was there a policy change at your school that affected you? These are the things to mention in a SUPER brief sentence ot two. Do not submit an extra essay or add honors and more activities. That can really piss off the AO.


No doesn't that go in Challenges & Circumstances?

Common App split the two up.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:29     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:This is where you put the nonprofit you started as well as your eco tourism.


Literally one of the successful apps (private T20) was about expanding on the reach and impact of an initiative the kid founded. It was impressive. Not a nonprofit per se. I think it was probably 125 words or a bit more.

Then a few other things.

That kid has amazing outcomes.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:28     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:This is where you put the nonprofit you started as well as your eco tourism.


Or that your father is incarcerated.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:27     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
This is where you put the nonprofit you started as well as your eco tourism.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:25     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
This is not for expanding the activities and honors. It is to explain an extenuating circumstance or anomaly. Were you unable to take AP Physics bc it conflicted with AP Latin? Did the IB program not offer something this year? Did you move and so your sequence of classes was off? Were you hospitalized and missed something? Was there a policy change at your school that affected you? These are the things to mention in a SUPER brief sentence ot two. Do not submit an extra essay or add honors and more activities. That can really piss off the AO.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 10:18     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
How many of your kids with successful reach applications (T20 or otherwise) used the Addtl Info section to summarize extra information?

I am seeing a few sample Common Apps (from CEG as well as online) that have pretty extensive explanations of research, other activities that couldn't fit, etc.

Thoughts and personal experiences?