What's the best use of the additional information section in college applications?

Hey y'all, I've noticed that there's an 'additional information' section on the Common App. I'm not sure what would be relevant to put here. Should I explain a low grade, or would it be more useful to talk about a family responsibility that's had a major impact on my high school experience? I don't want to come off as making excuses.

The 'additional information' section is a space where you can provide context that doesn't fit neatly into other parts of the application. It's most useful for explaining circumstances that have had a significant impact on your academic performance or extracurricular involvement. For instance, if a family responsibility, such as caring for a relative, has taken a considerable amount of your time and energy, leading to fewer extracurricular activities or affecting your grades, it's worth mentioning.

The key is to be clear and factual without sounding like you're making excuses. If you choose to explain a low grade, outline the situation briefly and focus on how you have since worked to overcome that challenge or what you have learned from it. Remember, this is your opportunity to give the admission officers a full picture of who you are and how your experiences have shaped you.

For example, a student I advised used this section to detail their contribution to the family business, elucidating the skills and responsibilities they had, which added depth to their application and showcased their maturity and time management skills. As long as what you include is honest and explanatory, it can only help your application. Good luck!