I’ve seen so many conflicting things regarding how people can use the additional information section (without annoying AOs), so I’d love to have some help!
I couldn’t fit a lot of my awards/publications into my Common app (5 publications and 5 creative writing contests), so can I put them in the additional info section? I feel bad about leaving them out because they’re somewhat? prestigious (ex: honorable mention in a national 500+ people contest), and I worked hard for them.
I also have some music awards that I want to add in the additional info section because I feel like I’ve spent more time on my instrument (played it seriously for over 10 years) for it to only occupy one activity and award slot. I didn’t include more music things in my app because I have other things that I’ve also spent time on that are more related to my major and would be useful for painting my “narrative.”
Figure out a way to show what you’ve accomplished - which is more important than “winning” an award. After all, the person who helps dogs get adopted at the shelter or brings in carts from the grocery store parking lot - those are important - but they don’t get awards.
You’re not going to impress with 10 vs. 5 awards.
You will impress by showing, in the defined space, what you impacted and delivered on.
What are your 10 activities? Your 10 activities should include these publications, creative writing contests, and music activities…honors are technically for academic things (although many students do put non-academic honors there.)
Your 10 activities should be the most meaningful and impactful activities, so start there. Combine if you need to…for example five creative contests could be one creative writing activity. You could probably combine music activities too, as another example.
With that said, if you want to use addt’l info to give more details about a certain activity or honor, that’s ok to do…many applicants do just that.
I understand that you will get varying advice on this. I am coming at it from two points of view:
A number of years ago an AO from a T20 said “why wouldn’t a student use the room we give them in the addt’l info section to tell us more about themselves/their activities/etc.” This person expected a student to use that section, and it was a bit of a demerit if they didn’t.
As an application reader now, it doesn’t bother me at all when students use addt’l info to give a more detailed description of an activity, or add new activities, or give me their top 10 favorite Netflix documentaries. I read it all. On the flip side, it’s not a negative if a student doesn’t use it.
So, do what you are most comfortable with and put in your best application that encapsulates you. Realize that the admissions decision is likely not going to come down to your activities, and expect that you will be denied at most, if not all, reach schools.
If your instrument/music activity is so important to you, you should consider moving it into the main EC section. You can be narrative-focused, but you don’t have to be one-dimensional.
Re: the additional info section, the common advice seems to be to not be repetitive/redundant and keep it very concise in a simple bullet-point format. Consider grouping your 5 creative writing contests into a single entry, either in the main section or in the additional section.
My daughter used hers and was accepted to a T10 school. Of course, no one ever knows what sways an admissions officer. She added an abstract from a science fair project and additional awards/color regarding one of her main extracurriculars. She found it difficult to convey the depth and strength of her involvement in the activities section. As it was also an activity that some people perceive as just taking classes, she chose to expand.
I certainly don’t think one needs to be redundant or put fluff. But in our limited experience, if there is really something that is hard to fit in the activities section, they do provide an area for additional information.
The additional info section is generally to provide context or content that both had nowhere else to go and may be helpful in the admissions committee understanding the totality of your circumstances and potential.
Do you really think your 6th most impressive award or 11th most impressive activity adds anything to their decision making?