Navigating the college application process can be overwhelming. For students facing additional information on the Common App for health issues challenges, whether physical, mental, or emotional, the journey may feel even more complex. Thankfully, the Common Application (Common App) offers a space where applicants can share additional information on the Common App for health issues, giving students the opportunity to explain how their health has impacted their academic life. This can be an invaluable chance to present a fuller, more compassionate picture of who you are as a person.
In this guide, we’ll dive into how to approach the Common App additional information section, especially when health issues have played a role in your academic journey. We’ll explore why this section is important, how to use it effectively, and the best way to frame your health struggles in a way that complements your overall application.
What is the “Additional Information” Section?
The Common App additional information section is a part of the application where you can provide any extra context that you believe is important for the admissions committee to understand. This is a space for sharing things like family situations, personal accomplishments, or circumstances that may have impacted your academic performance or extracurricular involvement.
For students dealing with health issues, this section offers a place to explain how your health challenges may have affected your grades, attendance, or overall engagement in school activities. However, it’s important to remember that the goal of this section is not to provide extensive medical details, but rather to offer context for how your health has influenced your life and academic journey.
When Should You Use the “Additional Information” Section for Health Issues?
Health issues can affect students in many different ways. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic illness, recovering from an injury, struggling with mental health, or caring for a family member, these challenges can sometimes impact your ability to perform at your best in school. Here are some examples of situations where you might consider using the additional information Common App section:
- Chronic Illness or Physical Health Conditions: If a long-term illness has affected your ability to attend school regularly, complete assignments on time, or focus in class, this can be briefly explained in this section. You don’t need to go into medical specifics—just provide enough context for the admissions team to understand the impact.
- Mental Health Challenges: Many students face mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or other conditions that can influence academic performance. In this case, you can use the Common App additional information section to explain how these struggles have affected your education and how you’ve learned to manage them.
- Caring for a Sick Family Member: If you’ve had to juggle your studies with caring for a sick family member, this could also be a reason to provide additional context. Admissions committees understand the emotional and physical toll that caregiving can take on a student’s academic focus.
- Medical Leave or Extended Absences: If you’ve had to take a medical leave from school or missed significant time due to health reasons, explaining this in the additional information Common App section can help the admissions team understand any gaps in your academic record.
Where is the Additional Information Section on the Common App?
If you’re wondering, “Where is the additional information section on Common App?”, it’s typically located toward the end of the application, under the “Profile” or “Other Information” tab. You’ll see it after you’ve filled out the basic sections of your application, such as your personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities.
This section is entirely optional, but it offers an important opportunity to provide context for anything that might not be fully explained elsewhere in your application. If health issues have played a major role in your life, this is the space where you can share that information.
How to Write About Health Issues Effectively
When writing about health issues in the additional information section Common App, it’s important to strike a balance between providing enough context and respecting your privacy. Here’s how to approach it thoughtfully:
- Keep It Brief and Honest: You don’t need to provide a detailed medical history. Instead, briefly explain the health issue, how it impacted your life, and how you managed it. Admissions officers are looking for a deeper understanding of who you are, not just a list of challenges.
- Focus on Resilience and Growth: Admissions committees appreciate students who show resilience and determination. Highlight how you’ve faced and overcome your health challenges. Talk about what you’ve learned from the experience and how it’s shaped you as a person. For example, managing a chronic condition might have taught you time management or how to advocate for yourself.
- Discuss Academic Impact and Progress: If your grades were affected, it’s okay to mention it, but also emphasize how you’ve worked to get back on track. Share the strategies you’ve developed to stay organized, focus on your studies, or manage your time better despite health setbacks.
- Highlight Non-Academic Strengths: Your health struggles don’t define you. Use this section to show other strengths, such as leadership, perseverance, or empathy. Perhaps you found ways to stay involved in extracurricular activities or volunteered in your community, despite the challenges you were facing.
- End on a Positive, Forward-Looking Note: While it’s important to be honest about the obstacles you’ve faced, try to end your explanation on a positive, hopeful note. College is about looking ahead, so demonstrate that you’re ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Common App Additional Information Example
Sometimes, seeing an example can make the process feel less intimidating. Here’s a sample of how you might write about health issues in the additional information Common App section:
Example:
“During my sophomore year, I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease that led to several extended absences from school. While my condition required frequent medical appointments and rest, I worked closely with my teachers to ensure I stayed up-to-date on assignments. Although my grades slipped that semester, I regained my academic focus by developing strategies to manage my health and my studies. This experience taught me valuable lessons in time management and self-care, and I became more proactive in seeking help when needed. Since then, I’ve excelled in my coursework and have remained active in community service, which has helped me build a stronger sense of resilience.”
This example briefly explains the health issue, acknowledges its impact on academics, and focuses on the student’s growth, showing that they didn’t just overcome the challenge—they learned from it.
What to Avoid in the Additional Information Section
While this section gives you a chance to explain your circumstances, there are a few things to avoid:
- Over-explaining or Focusing Too Much on Negative Emotions: While it’s important to be honest, the Common App additional information section isn’t the place to go into excessive medical detail or dwell on the emotional toll of your health struggles. Keep the focus on how you navigated those challenges.
- Blaming Poor Performance Solely on Health Issues: While health challenges can certainly affect your academic performance, it’s important not to use them as an excuse for any shortcomings. Instead, focus on how you worked through those obstacles and what you’ve learned from the experience.
- Being Too Vague or Evasive: You don’t need to share every detail, but make sure your explanation provides enough context for the admissions committee to understand your situation. Don’t assume they will automatically know how a health issue could affect your life.
Why Health Challenges Can Be an Asset in Your Application
At first, you might feel that sharing a health issue could harm your chances of admission. But in reality, admissions officers want to see how students handle challenges, and overcoming health struggles can be a powerful testament to your resilience, determination, and ability to grow. Colleges today understand that students face diverse challenges, and many institutions prioritize student well-being. By explaining how you’ve navigated health issues, you’re giving admissions committees a clearer sense of who you are and what you bring to the table—resilience, strength, and the ability to thrive despite adversity.
Final Thoughts
The Common App additional information section is a valuable space where you can share the context of your health challenges and how they’ve shaped your academic and personal growth. If health has played a significant role in your journey, this section allows you to provide important details that give the admissions team a more complete picture of who you are. When used thoughtfully, it can turn a challenging situation into a testament to your character and determination.
Remember, if you feel that important context is missing from your application, please add additional information if needed in this section. Your health does not define you, but how you’ve learned from and overcome your challenges can demonstrate the strength and resilience that colleges value most.