How to Answer the "Additional Information" Section of the Common Application

After you've written the Personal Essay in the Writing section of the Common Application, you'll come to a section called "Additional Information." This is an opportunity to share details that don’t easily fit elsewhere. Let's take a look.

Screenshot of a portion of the Common Application

The Challenges Question on the Common Application

This section is entirely optional, so you don't need to answer. It reads:

Sometimes a student’s application and achievements may be impacted by challenges or other circumstances. This could involve:

• Access to a safe and quiet study space

• Access to reliable technology and internet

• Community disruption (violence, protests, teacher strikes, etc.)

• Discrimination

• Family disruptions (divorce, incarceration, job loss, health, loss of a family member, addiction, etc.)

• Family or other obligations (care-taking, financial support, etc.)

• Housing instability, displacement, or homelessness

• Military deployment or activation

• Natural disasters

• Physical health and mental well-being

• War, conflict, or other hardships

"If you’re comfortable sharing, this information can help colleges better understand the context of your application. Colleges may use this information to provide you and your fellow students with support and resources. Please describe the challenges or circumstances and how they have impacted you." (250 word limit)

How to Answer the Challenges Question

Keep your writing clear and concise. This question is limited to 250 words.

• Only answer this if you have something similar the examples the Common App gives.

• Explain what happened and how it impacted you.

• Show what you learned or how you grew.

• Don't repeat information that is in other essays.

  
  

Screenshot of a portion of the Common Application

The Additional Qualifications Question

Next comes a second optional question. The Common App asks:

Would you like to share any additional details or qualifications not reflected in the application? Please provide any additional information you wish to share.* (300 word limit).

How to Answer the Additional Qualifications Question

This question is limited to 300 words.

• This is truly optional. You can leave it blank.

• Don't repeat information that is in other essays.

• Use this space to talk about something that is truly meaningful and is an important part of your story. If your application would feel incomplete without this content, then that's a signal that it might be good to include it.

• This is not another personal essay. You could, theoretically, write it as a bulleted list.