We used the Additional info section to include a few items we couldn’t fit into other sections. A bit of volunteer work, a few awards/recognition, etc. We were going to use it to explain why he choose to do some of his volunteer work, but we got that to fit into another section. (The “why” in addition to the what).
Its BEST use (IMHO) is to explain any discrepancies or challenges (like health/family) that had to be overcome, especially if it’s not part of the essay. Since we didn’t have any discrepancies/challenges, we used it as “extra” space for other sections.
Additional info section: left blank. I think she assumed that it was for kids wanting to explain poor grades or unusual circumstances impacting their academic performance, like the death of a family member, your home burning down, etc.
Additional info: Left blank. For my D19, on the other hand, we may use it to explain an F in her freshman year (an online foreign-language course in which she was struggling anyway, but a severely dislocated shoulder and surgery near the end of the semester pushed that one completely over the edge, even with the accommodations she received).
S also left the additional information section of the CA blank with the same assumption as @Mom2aphysicsgeek’s D and others have had. He has submitted so it’s too late to go back and change it now unless he adds another CA school to the list, which isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility.
QOTD: Additional Info
DS has a list of topics for the Additional Info question. If a supplemental essay for a particular college lets him cover any of these, he’ll pull that part out of the Additional Info. His Common App essay is about the research he does (problem you’ve solved).
– about his HS engineering program
– about the program that lets him take UC classes and future quarter course uncertainty
– what are hacking competitions, plus some info about his awards in this area, which are a little obscure
– what he learned about himself at the summer program he attended last summer (important mostly for his 2 EA schools, which are co-sponsors of the program)
– brief summary of research topic for a program he did pre-10th grade (may or may not bother with)
He has a checklist of topics that he wants to cover in each application, so wants to make sure he’s touched on most of them in each application. Most of the other topics have gotten covered in the 2 applications he’s working on for Nov. 1. These are the leftovers that he thinks need to be mentioned somewhere.
Bummed out, son’s good friend who was being recruited for soccer just tore his ACL so I think that window has probably closed for him. Brutal. Probably was going to commit in the next couple of weeks. He had a few offers to play for some local schools and was just weighing his options. I doubt a school takes a chance on him now. He was a very good player, one of the tops in the state. Amazing how things can change.
Went to an open house at a school where my son is being recruited for lax with my wife. She hated it. Why? Hills!!!
Ha. She complained about walking up and down the hills. Then we went to see a dorm and they showed us one on the 5th floor and we had to walk up the whole thing. She thought that stunk, even worse! Then she went on and on about how the other schools we’ve seen in the local area were better yada yada yada.
So it was an interesting day to say the least.
Anxiety level: before yesterday 2, just because we still have to get organized a bit and submit an app. New anxiety level, 4, because now I started rethinking the whole process again.
@srk2017 our guidance counselor said to upload a resume if your kid would like to explain in greater detail some of their ECs or strong interests. Son17 will submit one, I don’t think it can hurt. Worse case, they just don’t read it. Best case, they learn a little more about the kid.
Not sure. S finished the PAINFUL activities section yesterday (minor tweaks, but truly minor needed). Not all of his activities will fit even with consolidation and only a couple of schools allow for resumes. I am not sure if he will cover the items here, make mention of his ADHD and medication start dates somehow (and thus the difference between F/S year grades and junior year) or leave it entirely blank. My gut is he would prefer to leave it blank but I am a tad concerned a few activities got cut that should be shown somehow.
I know I’ve seen @intparent give some great advice about how to use the Additional Info section to cover activities that don’t fit in the tweet-sized activity descriptions.
@srk2017 I suppose a resume would be good if:
– It allows uploading a PDF. Text-only formatting is icky and you can’t even bold.
– The resume doesn’t mostly duplicate info elsewhere in the application.
– The college’s admissions website doesn’t say “don’t upload a resume” (some do say that)
I think using the Additional Info section to expand sections of the app that were purposely limited and that has instructions to decide the awards and activities that were most important to the student personally is a risk each family has to decide whether to take. Clearly schools realize some things didn’t make the list. Those that care give the option of including a resume that lists everything. Others don’t offer that option. The essay is the more appropriate place to highlight other things that didn’t make it elsewhere. The GC can comment on schedule issues, etc.
@Gator88NE, THAT is exactly what my S said!! I suggested he try to get his (mainly easy) apps done by Oct. 15. He said “Why? Most apps dont even open until Oct. 15!” Most of his apps opened in AUGUST. (enough said)
@fun1234, I think ALL material, including the schools part, for NMSF submittal is due Oct. 12 (ish). My S is basically using his CA essay, which (thankfully) is almost finished accd to his counselor. Would that work for your S?
@srk2017 That’s a good question about ‘uploading’ a resume to the CA. What you CAN do it insert a link to an online resume or ZeeMee page (I know, I know), or YouTube supplement. Put an explanation of what it is, and let the reader decide whether to copy/paste/look at the link.
I don’t know if I like that option, but it is an option. Just sayin’.
Well he still isn’t finished with it and he says not to worry He still hasn’t sent in National Honor Society paperwork which is due Friday or senior write up which is also due Friday. He is still looking for a funny senior quote. anyone have any.
** QOTD: ** Inspired by our last QOTD and probably rhetorical but here goes: If college applications essentially amount to taking an extra class for seniors, for parents, is it like taking on a second job?
Yes. I am so exhausted. I have a business trip coming up and I can’t wait to fly coach and eat bad, overpriced airport food with nary an essay supplement in sight. It seems so restful.
But first I have to edit D’s dance supplement video. Which I inadvertently filmed in SD instead of HD, sigh. Hope it’s good enough.
@fun1234 I’m not sure we do quotes, but it looks like fun. Here are some I stole from a Google search. Maybe not word-for-word, but they went something like this:
That wasn't like High School Musical at all
Well, it needed more cowbell
I like me a good pancake
They say cheaters never prosper, but here I am. Graduated!
I realized we can’t upload a file in additional info section on CA unlike some schools which allowed uploading a file. I agree not a good idea to copy paste resume. I like the idea of providing links. He has a youtube channel also.
While I’m sure all your kids won’t do something like this make sure and remind them not to do anything stupid that may cause them to get in trouble at school. Two seniors at our school just got expelled for “making” out in the parking lot in a car before school. One was 2nd in the class and the other was a NMSF… needless to say I think expulsion was too extreme.