"Language Barrier" - Common Application Additional Information Section

Additional Information
-Include any additional information that you would like to provide regarding special circumstances, additional qualifications, etc.

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English Barrier (Word Count: 1035)
In February 2008, about two and half years ago, I stepped on the land of Canada. Since then, I have been challenged by the new environment. In my home country Korea, nobody ever spoke in English. Except in the 45 minutes of English class twice a week, I never read, listened, spoke, or wrote something in English. Consequently, when it came to studying at a Canadian secondary school in the middle of grade 9, English was an unbeatable hindrance. I had to take ESL classes to overcome the language barrier. I had to sit on my chair for the whole day only to write the notorious five-paragraph essay (I never wrote any English essay before). I had to bother teachers every day after school. But I never gave up. After about one year of hardworking, my English improved. I even could take and finish Grade 10 English course with an A. I did not need to bother teachers anymore. I still have weakness in English. It is undeniable. But if I challenge myself in American college, I will be improved as did I in Canadian high school.

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- I wrote this essay with a hope to explain my terrible SAT reading & writing score. Any critique/help on the essay will be appreciated. Also the word count limit is 1000, so I need to work on cutting it down.

- I am not sure whether this is the section to write something like this. Should I write about the honors (awards..) that I could not mention in the honors section due to # limit?

- I also went to a math camp in USA. The camp was held in a University. So I filled "Colleges and Universities section" ("If you have attended any colleges since 9th grade, including summer schools or enrichment programs hosted on a college campus") with the math camp. Should I write details about the camp in Additional Information section instead of the essay I wrote above?

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVEN FOR READING THIS!!!!

Anyone there?

If the point that you want to make is to explain why your scores, I would suggest just beginning with writing that you have only been immersed in an english speaking culture for about 2 and a half years. Although it was good that you emphasized how you never gave up on trying to improve your writing skills, don't use the words "I had to," it makes it sound like you didn't really want to do it, that you didn't really want to improve your writing skills. Rather, I'd suggest that you just write "I..." Also the sentence that you did not need to bother your teachers anymore but still have a weakness in english is contradictory.

Thank you :)
I will come up with a better one.
By the way, is it appropriate to write something like that in that section?

You are falling to the temptation of making up excuse for inevitable situation, i.e no excuse is needed, unless it can be told in a funny/sad/original/suspenseful way or story. Try not to follow any rigid formula in your essay like I did A, but don't worry about it because I also did B, which would mean C if I get accepted - formulaic essay never helps. So be original; even if your language skill is not excellent yet, there are many simple yet more powerful vocab/style/etc. to talk about something and make it interesting.

I agree with uchihakula. Beware of making yourself sound weak. Not knowing english should be written in a way of how it strengthened you, but not how it held you back. In my opinion, I would write about what you gained, and about what you can improve on. Too much "I had too's". College admissions would not appreciate whining. Instead of I had to... another option could be like. i was given five page essays... I attended ESL classes. I hesitated bothering teachers..

Honestly, I'm not quite sure if that's the best place for it. If you had an interesting story that ended with how you conquered your problem and ended up receiving an award or something, that might be a good topic for one of your main essays. Otherwise, maybe try to shorten it and make it concise? Just explain that you've only been in an english speaking country for 2 years.

Thank you again for many advices!

Actually now I realize that it looks difficult to write a story in the 1000 character-limited section.

As "name_here" just mentioned, I will write an objective fact:
-been in English-speaking country for 2.5 years in my entire life

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* I have one more question: I have really good excuse why I could not take any IB or AP (or honors). Will it be ok if I write about this too? (or will it look like just a stupid excuse?)

Facts:
- School offers no AP or Honors courses
- IB for Grade 11, 12 program has a prerequisite (pre-IB for Grade 9, 10). I came to Canada at the middle of Grade 9, so the due date is passed. When I discussed with guidance counselor, she told me there was no way I could join IB program.

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* Just one more question
In University & College section of Common App., it asks if I ever participated in any enrichment program in college campus. I participated in a math camp at a USA college campus (its college campus changes every year), so I just filled the name of camp in the section. Do I need to give details how the camp worked in "Additional Information" section? (It was not a credit program. It was just a camp for mathematically talented students)

@ the 1st question on AP/IB: no, you don't need to. Although you may need to remind your counselor to mention it either in her rec. or in school profile/your transcript to be sent to admission office.

@ the 2nd question: I think it's a good idea to describe about the camp concisely.