If you’ve started working on your Common App, you may have noticed that there’s more than just the personal statement in the Writing section. In addition to your main essay, you’ll find two optional “Additional Information” questions. These are spaces where you can share context that might not fit anywhere else in your application.
Let’s walk through when you should (and shouldn’t) answer these questions, and how to use this space effectively.
UNDERSTANDING THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
1. Challenges and Circumstances
This prompt was originally added to address COVID-19, natural disasters, and other large-scale disruptions. Currently, the Common App gives students the opportunity to answer a broader question designed to capture many different kinds of challenges students may face.
Here’s the prompt:
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 (caregiving, 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.
Would you like to share any details about challenges or other circumstances you’ve experienced?
The word limit here is 250 words for first-year applicants.
2. The general “Additional Information” question
The open-ended Additional Information section has always been a place to share anything important that isn’t already in your application. Students currently have the opportunity to write up to 300 words to add additional context to the rest of their application.
So how should students take advantage of these spaces on the Common Application?
Are they truly optional?
Should everyone answer them? Should no one answer them?
When to Use the “Challenges and Circumstances” Section
This section is not required, and for many (if not most) students, it will be left blank. But if you’ve faced circumstances that have shaped your academic or personal experience, this is the place to briefly explain them.
We recommend keeping your response fact-based and concise. You’re giving context, not writing a second personal statement. Focus on what happened, when, and the effect it had on you, rather than telling the entire story in detail.
When to Use the General “Additional Information” Section
Think of this as the place where you can include relevant details that don’t fit anywhere else in your application. It’s not a required section, so only include something here if it adds meaningfully to your application.
Good uses of this section include:
Provide context for a dip in grades
Explain a schedule conflict (for example: “I had to choose between AP Bio and AP Spanish in my senior year, and I chose AP Spanish because of my interest in international relations.”)
Explain any discrepancies in your application or clarify something that might be confusing to your reader
Add something that is really important to you but not captured somewhere else
Activity descriptions that truly require more than 150 characters to fully understand
Extra awards, activities, or coursework that meant a lot to you
Link to websites or portfolios
When Not to Use Additional Information
Skip this section if you’re tempted to:
Write a second personal statement
Repeat information that is readily available somewhere else in your application
Paste your resume in full
Write something just to write something because you think you need to complete this section. These responses are optional, and not answering them is always better than a “non-answer.”
Offer excuses rather than context (focus on ownership and growth)
Both the Challenges & Circumstances question and the Additional Information section are truly optional. A thoughtful, relevant response can strengthen your application by giving your reader new information or deeper context when needed. But there is no harm in leaving either section blank if you do not have something meaningful to include.
Tips for Writing Strong Responses
Be direct and specific. State the facts and their impact on your academics or activities. Remember, these aren’t “essays” like your personal statement. Think of your responses in these sections as “need-to-know information.”
Avoid repetition. Don’t use this space to say something that’s already covered elsewhere in your application.
Keep it brief. The short word limit means you need to get to the point quickly.
Bottom Line
The Additional Information questions can be valuable additions in your application, but only if you truly need to add new information. Use these sections strategically. This year’s changes mean students have to be concise and to focus on truly important context.
If you’re not sure whether something belongs here, ask yourself: Would an admissions reader understand my application just as well without this information? If the answer is yes, you can probably skip it. If the answer is no, this might be the perfect place to share it.