Can I Edit Additional Background Info on the Common App? (And Other Burning Questions)
Ah, the Common App. That glorious portal to higher education, filled with endless prompts, essays, and a healthy dose of existential dread. (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.) You’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting your application, meticulously tweaking every comma and semicolon, only to realize… you’ve got a teeny tiny detail you want to change.
Hold your horses, young padawan. The answer to your question is a resounding YES. The Common App allows you to edit your responses, even after you’ve submitted to some colleges. That’s right, you can adjust, modify, and even completely rewrite those answers before hitting submit for the rest of your dream schools.
Think of it as a super-powered “undo” button, but for college applications.
But before you go wild with your editing spree, let’s dive into the specifics and explore some common questions about the Common App Additional Information section.
1. The Common App Flexibility: It’s a Thing (But There Are Rules)
The Common App is designed to be user-friendly, and that includes giving you some wiggle room to make changes. You can edit most sections of your application, including the Additional Information section, until you submit it to a specific college. Once you hit submit, it’s locked in for that college, but you’re free to edit and resubmit to others.
The fine print: You can’t edit a submitted application for a specific college. So, if you’ve already submitted to Harvard, you can’t suddenly rewrite your essay or change your extracurricular activities for Harvard. But you can still edit those sections and resubmit them to Yale, Princeton, or any other school you haven’t already applied to.
2. “Additional Information” – The Mysterious Section
Let’s talk about the dreaded “Additional Information” section. This is a bit of a wild card and can be a source of much confusion for students. It’s essentially a free-text box where you can explain anything that doesn’t fit neatly into other sections of the application. This could be:
- Explaining a low grade or a gap in your academic record.
- Highlighting a unique achievement or interest.
- Providing context for a specific extracurricular activity.
The good news: You don’t have to fill it out. The “Additional Information” section is truly optional. In fact, if you’re not sure if you need to use it, you probably don’t. Admissions officers are busy people, and they’ll appreciate it if you don’t force a response where it’s not needed.
3. “Additional Information” – The Power of Less
If you do decide to use this section, remember the golden rule: Keep it brief and to the point. Think of it as a concise, well-crafted elevator pitch about why you’re a perfect fit for the college.
4. Mistakes Happen (And You Can Actually Fix Them)
We’ve all been there: a typo, a forgotten detail, a moment of brain freeze that leads to a cringe-worthy error. Don’t panic! There are usually ways to fix mistakes on your Common App.
If you’ve already submitted to a college and need to make a correction, contact the admissions office directly. They’ll let you know what their policies are for correcting submitted applications.
5. Links and Portfolio Power
The “Additional Information” section can be a great place to showcase your work and talents. You can include links to your website, portfolio, blog, or even a sharing folder with your creative work. This allows you to present your accomplishments in a visual and engaging way, rather than just relying on words alone.
6. Common App Navigation: It’s Like a Maze (But a Good Kind of Maze)
Finding the “Additional Information” section on the Common App can feel like navigating a labyrinth. But it’s actually quite straightforward. Here’s how to get there:
- Log into your Common App account.
- Go to the “Common App” tab.
- Select “Writing” from the menu.
- You’ll see the “Additional Information” section, where you can add or edit your response.
7. The Art of the Edit (Because We’re All Perfectionists Here)
You can make unlimited edits to your Common App essay and any other part of your application until you submit it to a college. So, take your time, revise, refine, and get those essays polished to a shine.
8. The Common App Can Feel Like a Monster (But We’re Here to Help)
Navigating the Common App can be daunting, and the additional information section can feel like a mystery. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this journey.
Remember:
- The Common App is designed to be flexible, allowing you to edit your responses until you submit to each college.
- The “Additional Information” section is optional, but it can be a valuable tool for clarifying or enriching your application.
- Mistakes happen, but you can usually fix them by contacting the admissions office directly.
This information should help you conquer the Common App and your college application journey.
Need further help or research resources about the Common App? Connect with the JobLoving community for expert advice and support.