Special Circumstances HELP Common App

hop
Sun, 11 Oct 2015 19:13:59 +0000

I agree with posters above. If RBG can’t write a recommendation, don’t mention your mostly distant familial relationship to her, as it doesn’t actually speak to your college readiness.
The parasite situation sounds icky, but you obviously had great healthcare that one can only assume took care of it. It would be like mentioning that you had an accident while traveling and had to fly home early. Not impressive.

Additionally, the ‘Other Information’ box should ONLY be used for things that require more background as to how it affected your academic performance. [get ready for a rant… this is not directed specifically at the OP]

Inherently, things written in that box tend not to be positive.
As an application reader, I tremble when there’s something in that box, as I know I’m potentially going to read about something sad or unpleasant.
The rule of thumb here is that if you haven’t explained your normal academic and EC activities within context of the application and essay, perhaps you should rethink how you’ve approached your application.
When I read about the time the the AP Calc teacher went away on maternity leave and the substitute was incompetent and that’s the reason the student grade went down, I palm-slap my forehead in frustration, with another student who doesn’t get it…
Another legitimate reason to put anything in that box would be if your school has some unusual scheduling (like block programing, etc.) or if the HS has limited AP’s or to describe an unusual academic circumstance. These are things probably best written about by your HS counselor, but can be appropriate for the ‘Other Information’ box.