The Foreign Service Journal, December 2013

62 DECEMBER 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT the Indian Ocean, don’t spend too much time describing waves, sand, etc., unless there’s a way in which the setting is differ- ent from the beach at any other ocean. Instead, focus on evoking the history of the place (the spice trade?), mention the colors of the shells and wildlife, or talk about the local people who also go to “your” beach. ■ Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your tran- sition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community or family. Here’s where the average stateside American student is going to discuss how hard he worked on the football team for that big victory, or how the family pulled together when a sibling or parent was ill. There’s nothing wrong with these topics, of course. But again, use your overseas experiences here if you can. This is not an easy prompt, however. Rarely does one event take the average person from childhood to adulthood. But if you can show how an event or accom- plishment served as the catalyst for the process of maturation, go for it. The Additional Information Section This new, general section near the end of the Common App gives you a chance to write up to 650 words on anything that you feel is important for the admissions offi- cers to know. This is an optional section, so if you use it, make sure that you’re not wasting the admission reader’s time. Most counselors do not recommend that you paste your resumé here, unless there is something unusual on it that is not Although there are revisions throughout the Common App, it’s the Writing section that showcases the biggest changes. Continued on p. 70