For the 2025-2026 application cycle, the Common App has introduced a significant change to the Additional Information section that every student applying to US universities needs to understand. These changes affect how you present important context about your application; getting them right can make a real difference.
For first-year applicants, the Additional Information section has dropped from 650 words to 300 words. This means you need to be much more concise and strategic about what you include.
Understanding the Two Parts
The Additional Information section now consists of two distinct parts:
- The Challenges and Circumstances prompt (250 words): This is specifically for explaining hardships that impacted your academic performance or achievements.
- The broader Additional Information section (300 words): This space can be used for other information that doesn’t fit elsewhere in your application.
When Should You Use This Section?
The most important thing to understand is that this section is truly optional. Many successful applicants leave it blank, and that’s absolutely fine. You should only use it when you have genuinely vital information to share that:
- Isn’t covered elsewhere in your application
- Provides the necessary context for understanding your achievements
- Would leave admissions officers with questions if not addressed
What to Include in Challenges and Circumstances
Use this section to explain significant hardships that affected your academic record. This might include:
- Serious health issues: A diagnosis, extended illness, or ongoing medical condition that impacted your studies
- Family circumstances: Divorce, bereavement, a parent’s job loss, or caring responsibilities
- School changes: Relocating mid-way through school, particularly if it affected your course choices or grades
- Exceptional circumstances: War, displacement, homelessness, or lack of basic resources
Be direct and factual. Admissions officers aren’t looking for a story here—they want to understand what happened, when it happened, and how it affected you. For example:
“In October 2023, my family relocated from Manchester to Edinburgh due to my father’s job transfer. This move coincided with my GCSE year, and my grades dipped slightly during the autumn term as I adjusted to a new school and curriculum. Additionally, my new school did not offer Further Maths, so I switched to Computer Science instead.”
What to Include in the General Additional Information Section
This broader section can be used for:
- Course changes: Explaining why you dropped or changed subjects, particularly if it might look like a lack of commitment
- Testing anomalies: If you have a significantly lower score on one particular test date due to illness or circumstances
- Activities that need more context: If you had an extraordinary experience that couldn’t fit in the Activities section
- Academic opportunities: If you took university-level courses, completed independent research, or had other academic experiences not reflected elsewhere
What NOT to Include
This is equally important. Don’t use this section for:
- Repeating information from your Activities list or CV
- Writing a second personal essay
- Listing additional hobbies or interests that didn’t make it into your main application
- Explaining minor setbacks or relatively common experiences
- Making excuses for grades that don’t need explaining
Remember, if you come from a privileged background, be very careful about what you frame as a “hardship.” Admissions officers will be reading applications from students who have faced genuine adversity, and tone-deaf responses can damage your application.
Tips for Writing Effectively
With only 250-300 words, every word counts:
- Get straight to the point. Don’t waste words on flowery introductions.
- Be specific about timing. Include dates or timeframes so admissions officers can connect your explanation to your transcript.
- Stick to facts. This isn’t the place for creative writing or emotional appeals.
- Proofread carefully. Even though this section is optional, it’s still part of your academic application and should demonstrate strong writing skills.
- Preview before submitting. The Common App’s preview function shows you exactly how your text will appear. Check for formatting issues, particularly if you’re copying from Word or Google Docs.
A Word on Context
It’s worth remembering that US universities take a holistic approach to admissions. They’re not just looking at what’s in your head—they’re also interested in what’s in your heart. The Additional Information section helps them see the complete picture of who you are and what you’ve overcome.
However, this doesn’t mean you should feel pressured to fill it in if you don’t have anything substantial to add. An empty Additional Information section won’t harm your application. What can harm your application is using this space unnecessarily or inappropriately.
Final Thoughts
If you’re unsure whether something belongs in your Additional Information section, ask yourself: “Does an admissions officer need to know this to understand my application fairly?” If the answer is yes, include it. If not, leave it out.
