Do you think it's better for a student to explain the extent of their family responsibilities (beyond the 150 characters the common app allots) in the additional information section, or is it better to hear about the responsibilities from the teacher/counselor rec?
This depends on what more a student may have to add that is crucial to understanding how their participation in ECs was limited as a result. More information generally is better. Specifics matter (I truly wanted to compete in X but it interfered with picking my siblings up . . .)
As to teacher/counselor rec, corroboration is key!
Do you think it's better for a student to explain the extent of their family responsibilities (beyond the 150 characters the common app allots) in the additional information section, or is it better to hear about the responsibilities from the teacher/counselor rec?
This depends on what more a student may have to add that is crucial to understanding how their participation in ECs was limited as a result. More information generally is better. Specifics matter (I truly wanted to compete in X but it interfered with picking my siblings up . . .)
As to teacher/counselor rec, corroboration is key!