Additional Information section

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

This is what I plan to include in my additional information section, please give me advice as to if there is anything that is unnecessary included.

-Mother’s Disability: My mom has suffered from a traumatic brain injury since before I was born. Since my parents have also been separated since I was four years old, I’ve spent a lot of my time in life taking care of and providing for her and also having to take care of myself because my mother is not fully able to. She is also unable to work because of her disability, so our financial situation is weak. My expected major in neuroscience was inspired by her as well because I want to help people who have similar issues, and I want to figure out how my mother’s brain works.

-Dance team: I have been dancing since I was three years old, and my experience on dance team is unforgettable. I learned to work hard, not only for my own benefit but for my team as well, and if you do, you will be rewarded, not just through the trophies and the medals, but emotionally more importantly.

-I was unable to try out my 12th grade year because my doctor suggested I not due to recurring knee injuries, and I also had to work to help support my mother.

-Lincoln Intramural Dance Program: helped coach at an intramural dance program at the middle school, teaching the kids teamwork, character, and leadership skills, along with the dance skills, technique, and a routine they performed at the end of the program

-My job: started my job as a hostess after the dance season ended in my 11th grade year. My job is very important to me and has been a valuable learning experience, as it has changed me into a much more outgoing person than I was before and has given me a new-found confidence.

-Depression: struggled with depression and anxiety throughout high school career which did affect my grades sometimes

-gets sick very easily when the weather changes in the spring and fall, which has affected my attendance

2

Don’t think the additional information section is appropriate for all of this. The dance and work items easily fit under the sections of the Common App where you get to put in activities, EC info. (Is there also a work section?)

The connective thread between most of the information you want to submit (you have learned to share, to work hard, to instruct and be rewarded in the instruction, and are disciplined and, seemingly, tireless), shows you have have solid character building items which have clearly been informed by who you are at a basic level. So, your work is both informed by your home life and the strength, duties, vulnerabilities and sacrifice that have
been part of your world there, and you have chosen work which has formed and molded someone with challenges to dig deep and to take on other challenges.

Well done.

As this is in list form, I expect you will tighten up areas as needed. Be particularly mindful not to switch tto the oft-used “you,” when truly meaning oneself: “I learned to work hard, not only for my own benefit but for my team as well, and if you do, you will be rewarded, not just through the trophies and the medals, but emotionally more importantly.”

Do you have a guidance counselor or teacher who is helping you?

3

I haven’t talked to my guidance counselor about this yet.