More Unpopular Advice: Don't fill out the Additional Information Section

[ucbalumnus]

@Juno16

I just read the new book Valedictorians at the Gate, written by a 13-year veteran AO at Dartmouth. She is a big fan of the additional information section. A quote from pg. 124 “Specifically, it’s in the best interest of a student to fill out the Common Application’s “Additional Information” section … Most students don’t complete this section, likely because they are not sure what to say. But this is an opportunity to speak about one’s school experience, family background, culture or personal story.” She then gives several examples of what types of info students can include.

There could be a situation where both are correct. While a good “Additional Information” section that the book author advocates for can help the applicant, it is possible and likely that most uses of the “Additional Information” section are bad uses (e.g. excuses for lower grades) that the OP may have seen too many of.