Disclosing Information in College Applications: How Much is Too Much?
By Patrick Zylka
Managing Director, College Solutions
When it comes to filling out college applications, many students struggle with the question of how much personal information they should share. On the one hand, they want to give the admission officers a complete picture of who they are and what they have experienced. On the other hand, they don't want to include anything that might hurt their chances of getting into the college of their choice. It's a delicate balance, but with a little bit of guidance, it's possible to strike the right balance and create a compelling application.
How Applications Are Read
Before you start writing your college application, it's important to understand how they are read. The reality is that an admission officer is likely to spend only a few minutes reading each application. With hundreds, or even thousands, of applications to review, they don't have the time to get to know each student in-depth. That's why it's essential to make sure that the information you include is relevant, concise, and easy to understand.
Disclosing a Learning Difference
Some students worry about calling attention to anything that might be considered a negative on a college application. However, if you have been diagnosed with a learning difference, it is often in your best interest to disclose this information. Sharing this information will enable the admission officer to look at your academic record in context, and to understand that any early difficulties you faced were not due to a lack of motivation. If you have developed coping mechanisms, received accommodations, and become a successful student, you want the admission officer to know that you have overcome your challenges and have the skills to succeed in college.
Where to Disclose Information
There are several places where you can disclose information about a learning difference. The Common Application has an additional information section, which allows up to 650 words to share information that has not been covered elsewhere in the application. This section is an excellent place to discuss your learning difference in 4-5 sentences, explaining how it has impacted your education, what you have done to overcome challenges, and what you have learned from the experience.
Some applicants may be tempted to discuss their learning difference in the main Common Application Personal Statement, but this may not be the best choice. The Personal Statement should be focused on highlighting your strengths, and you want to present your learning difference in the best light possible. If you choose to discuss your learning difference in your Personal Statement, it is essential to keep it brief and to emphasize the positive aspects of your story.
Another option is to have your high school guidance counselor or college counselor include a note about your learning difference in their recommendation letter. This approach has the advantage of coming from an authority figure, but the downside is that it can be easy to miss a mention of your learning difference in a long recommendation letter. It is always better to discuss your own circumstances in your own words, so you can control the message you are sending.
Avoid Over-Sharing
While it's important to be truthful in your application, it's also important to avoid over-sharing. There's no need to include details that didn't have an impact on your academic performance. For example, if you were treated for an eating disorder two years ago, there's no need to mention it unless it affected your grades. In that case, you can mention it in the "Additional Information" section and focus on how you have recovered and improved since then.
Disclosing Disciplinary Violations and Convictions
Most college applications ask if you have been found responsible for a disciplinary violation in high school or convicted of a crime. If the answer is yes, you are required to answer these questions and provide an explanation. The severity of the offense will determine how it affects your admissions outcomes, with minor offenses such as school pranks being more forgivable than academic dishonesty. In these cases, it is essential to provide a straightforward explanation of what happened, and to demonstrate what you have learned from the experience. You should focus on highlighting the positive aspects of your story and show how the experience has helped you to grow and mature.
Deciding what to include in your college application and how to present it can be a challenging process. You want to remain authentic to your own experiences while being strategic in the information you share. No matter what, make sure the information you provide is relevant and straightforward, and focus on highlighting your strengths and resilience strategically.
About Patrick
Patrick Zylka is a Managing Director at College Solutions and has spent 15 years working in college admissions, most recently at Northwestern University. During this time, he read over 10,000 applications and gave presentations to prospective college applicants throughout the United States, China, Indonesia, and Singapore. Patrick works with students interested in pursuing all majors in college, especially those interested in admission to highly selective schools. Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his master’s degree from the University of Michigan. When not helping students and families navigate the college admissions process, you can find him training for marathons and ultramarathons. If you’re interested in learning more about what it would be like to work with Patrick as a college counselor, sign up for a free consultation.