I’ve been told that the Additional Comments section after the Personal Statements can and should be used to explain grade weaknesses or peculiar circumstances. My main and maybe only weakness is very poor extracurriculars (no clubs/groups, no work experience, no volunteering). Should I use this section to explain this weakness? I was thinking of saying that my lack of community involvement is regrettable, and that in my fixation with the hobbies I am engaged in (and which I listed in the extracurricular activities section), I have neglected to become involved in my college and community. I would also add that I am looking forward to changing this while in University.
Is this a good or bad thing to do? I don’t want to seem like I’m giving excuses, which is why I would emphasize that I regret this weakness and anticipate making up for it. It just seems strange to leave the application as is without addressing what is really a glaring problem in my admission chances.
I don’t know. You listed hobbies? Are you working? Maybe just simply say with work and school you unfortunately didn’t have time for ECs. Leave it at that. Unless you’re applying to a super-selective major such as Haas business, they won’t put much focus on it. And they consider work an EC.
@lindyk8 I’m not currently working, and I have no work experience. Really all I do is school and my own personal hobbies (musicianship, chess, debate). I listed these as my extracurricular activities, but they’re obviously not as impressive as those of other strong applicants with hundreds of hours of community service and leadership positions.
@SoCalDad2 I’m not personally bothered by my lack of strong extracurriculars, and I am perfectly content to simply engage in the activities I love. But it’s certainly true (unfortunately in my case) that admissions favor more involved activities, leadership roles, community service, etc. It’s a weakness in this unique sense.
@polemic those are actually very good ECs: (1) music has been connected to certain brain functions - many doctors had musical backgrounds; (2) chess shows strategy and planning; and (3) debate highlights communication and persuasion skills. I would see all three as excellent ECs. Ok, you don’t volunteer, but these are very good. I wouldn’t write anything in the additional comments about it.
@briank82 It’s exactly what he’s talking about (indirectly, that is):
“My… weakness is very poor extracurriculars (no clubs/groups, no work experience, no volunteering)” = Quantity
“I was thinking of saying that my lack of community involvement is regrettable…” = Quantity
“…fixation with the hobbies I am engaged in…” = Quality
That the OP has no “regimented” community involvement / work experience / clubs is fine. Why draw attention to this perceived deficiency in an essay?
But yes, I do see how I accidentally cut out the word “involved” – Either way, I believe that the OP intended to say how he believes lacking those activities will spell rejection. Never do something because you think it will impress others!
If you listed your hobbies in the EC section, leave it at that.
Use the Additional Comments section to explain any other circumstances/things that you think are significant that you have not had a chance to mention anywhere else in the application.