Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 12:25     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
There's a lot of conflicting info out there. AN says no apparently, "The Game" says to definitely use it, but strategically. I think our D ended up using it to add a little more detail about some of her activities and included one or two more things she couldn't list elsewhere. My opinion is that it probably neither helped nor hurt her app. In to her ED Top 10 LAC.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 09:44     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:We used this advice. Admitted to 4/5 reaches (T20).

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section

This is actually really helpful, thanks. It would be great if they would update it for the new format that splits more info and challenges, and reduces the word could to 350.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 09:21     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
DD use the additional info section to explain an activity that was on her activity list but was unusual. It required significant training and then community engagement, not at school, not something typical for teens. The activity list has such limited space that an admissions reader would have no idea what it involved.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 09:04     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:We used this advice. Admitted to 4/5 reaches (T20).

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section


This is interesting site. Any other sites like this that you may have looked at? Appreciate your posting this.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 08:28     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Most younger former admissions officers/ counselors recommend using the new shorter 350 word AInfo section strategically.

The only people that don’t want to use it are people who are generally old or have worked in admissions offices decades ago.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 08:19     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
We used this advice. Admitted to 4/5 reaches (T20).

https://www.myprompt.com/post/getting-the-most-out-of-the-common-apps-additional-info-section
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 08:00     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is where you put the nonprofit you started as well as your eco tourism.


Or that your father is incarcerated.


Or that your mother is incarcerated. Sadly I had one young person who worked for me whose mother was in long-term prison, and whose dad was getting ready to go to prison fortunately, she stayed with an aunt.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 07:57     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:My kid used the additional information heavily. Listed research projects with quick summaries related to academic area of interest, and included a link to one major paper. I think they also included extra detail of their arts EC. All things connected well to intended major and essay topics. Kid was accepted early to an ivy. Counselor at our private school thought it was fine to include this information.


Same for us.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 07:57     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:Colleges love it when you disregard rules. They are looking for rule breakers, not just following the rules. DO IT!


This is such old advice. You do you.

It worked for us. Quite well!
Ask any former AI who’s worked in an office in the last 1-2 years.

Nowadays it’s like leaving the honors/awards section blank. It’s there to be used. Thoughtfully

Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 07:35     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Colleges love it when you disregard rules. They are looking for rule breakers, not just following the rules. DO IT!
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2026 04:27     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
Anonymous wrote:I have two kids who got into Ivies unhooked (25 and 26--different years and different schools).
Neither used the additional info. nor did they attach resumes (which I think some kids figure out how to do) or add more teacher or personal recs.


Impossible to do w/the common app.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 23:43     Subject: Using the Addtl Info Section
My kid used the additional information heavily. Listed research projects with quick summaries related to academic area of interest, and included a link to one major paper. I think they also included extra detail of their arts EC. All things connected well to intended major and essay topics. Kid was accepted early to an ivy. Counselor at our private school thought it was fine to include this information.