What should I include in the college application additional information section?

Use the additional information section only for important context that helps a college interpret the rest of your application. It is most appropriate for explaining unusual academic circumstances, major disruptions outside your control, or necessary clarifications that do not fit anywhere else. It is not meant for another essay, a list of extra activities, or a place to repeat your strengths.

Good uses include a drop in grades tied to a specific event, a schedule limitation that prevented certain classes, a school policy that affected your transcript, family responsibilities that significantly limited your time, health issues that impacted school, or disruptions like moving, housing instability, or extended caregiving.

Keep it factual, brief, and specific. A few short paragraphs is usually enough. State what happened, when it happened, how it affected your academics or involvement, and, if relevant, what changed afterward.

Do not use this section to paste in an extra personal statement, explain every B, add awards that could have gone in Activities or Honors, or make excuses for weak areas without real context. If there is nothing significant to clarify, leaving it blank is completely fine.