How do I decide what 'additional information' to include in my college applications, especially after reading College Essay Guy's advice?

The 'Additional Information' section is designed for details that aren't clear anywhere else in your application but might help admissions officers understand you or your academic context better. Think of it as a place to provide context, not to repeat what's already covered in your essays or activities—it's about clarifying, not storytelling.

Situations like missing a lot of 10th grade due to illness are exactly the kinds of things you can include. If the illness noticeably affected your grades or participation, it helps the admissions reader understand any dips or inconsistencies in your transcript that might otherwise seem unexplained. You want to be concise and specific: state the situation, note the impact, and (if relevant) mention what you did to catch up or bounce back. For example, "During spring of 10th grade, I was diagnosed with mono and missed several weeks of school. As a result, my grades in Chemistry and English dropped from my usual A range to Bs. Once recovered, I met with teachers after school and ultimately returned to my previous performance levels in 11th grade."

For the grading policy change, if it caused your AP grades to be calculated in a way that's different from previous years or from what's shown on your transcript, that's also worth mentioning. Colleges want to evaluate you fairly, so clarifying unusual grading situations is helpful. You might write: "Beginning with the Class of 2024, my school implemented a policy that weighted AP class grades differently, reducing the GPA impact compared to previous years. This change is reflected on my transcript and may make my AP performance appear lower than that of students in previous classes."

When judging what's relevant, ask: Would an admissions officer be confused or misinterpret my record without this info? If yes, include it. Try not to use the section for minor issues (for example, a one-time missed assignment) or for weaknesses that need no extra explanation. Always stick to the facts, avoid blaming others, and be brief; you're not making excuses, you're providing context.

Many successful applicants have used this section to explain health issues, family circumstances, significant school changes, or disruptions like natural disasters. Use clear, neutral wording and keep it as short as possible—typically a few sentences to a short paragraph for each item. If you aren't sure if something is important enough, you can ask a counselor or teacher to weigh in, since they have a sense of what colleges expect. Remember, this section is optional, but when used thoughtfully, it can be valuable.