| |
Common Application Essays - Part 4
Posted by on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 3:46 PM (PST)
The "Additional Information" Section
Many students applying to college struggle with how to handle this section. Let me start with two pieces of seemingly contradictory advice:
1) Don't add something to this section unless you have something interesting to add, and...
2) Do add something to this section!
Yeah, sorry - I know that may not feel very helpful, but the bottom line is that it's great to add something compelling here, and if you can, you should!
What you shouldn't add:
1) An additional essay that essentially repeats something mentioned in a previous essay.
2) An additional essay that isn't particularly interesting, or doesn't add something new and exciting to your profile.
3) A LONG essay - even if it's pretty good. The admission officers have already given substantial time to your application; you don't want to make them feel like you're demanding a disproportionate amount of their time.
So what should you add? Here are some possibilities:
1) Add something that complements your unique personal story or "brand" - something that drives home your main point, makes the reader smile, and doesn't make him/her think, "Aw, crud - this applicant added an additional info piece." If you're a songwriter and you've discussed that in your main personal essay, how about attaching the lyrics to a song you've written? If you're an architect, you might consider adding one of your designs. An aspiring entrepreneur? Submit a brief executive summary for one of your business ideas. A poet? Submit a poem!
2) If you can't think of anything like that worth adding, another possibility is to submit a nice, polished resume. The extracurricular section of the Common App only allows you to list a few key activities, and if you've done more than that, it might help to let your readers know that. They probably won't mind taking a look at a resume, because it won't take long to read, and might show off some interesting accomplishments. However, if you're going to attach a resume, make SURE it's polished and edited, with a nice, clean format. If you need professional help with this, contact us at www.fullride.com.
3) You can use this space to address a glaring problem in your profile. Did you mess up your sophomore year in high school because you were facing a difficult personal issue from which you've since recovered? If so, you might consider mentioning it here. HOWEVER, I generally encourage students to be very cautious when doing this. You don't want to (1) draw attention to a problem that might not have concerned the reader in the first place, or (2) dwell on the problem. If you take this approach, be sure to describe the problem quickly and concisely, and then focus for the remainder of the piece (don't make it long) on what you learned, how you've addressed the problem, and how well you're doing now. End positively!
One final piece of advice as you approach the additional info section:
Have fun with this!!!
|
|
|
|
|
