Common to all crosswords:
Med. school class = ANAT
otherwise = ELSE
fencer’s foil = EPEE
Scottish gaelic = ERSE
Ireland = EIRE
PC key = ESC

Particularly common to Chicago Tribune/Red Eye crossword:
lotion additive = ALOE
false god = IDOL
exist = ARE
picnic pests = ANTS
male red deer = HART
agenda topic = ITEM
hymn ending = AMEN
Chanel’s nickname = COCO