COLLEGE ADMISSIONS IN THE AI ERA: WHY YOUR WRITING MUST STAND OUT
The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has transformed education, including the college application process. With a few prompts, AI can generate an entire essay, offering polished sentences and impressive vocabulary. But here’s the problem—admissions officers are more aware than ever of AI’s influence, and they can tell when an essay lacks authenticity. They read thousands of applications every year, and what they truly want is a story that feels personal, raw, and real. AI-generated essays, while grammatically flawless, often miss the depth of human experience—the emotions, reflections, and unique moments that define you.
Imagine an admissions officer reading two essays. One is perfectly structured but generic, sounding like it could have been written by anyone. The other is deeply personal, describing the time you spent months building a community garden in your neighborhood, only to watch it bloom after a season of struggle and teamwork. Which essay do you think leaves a lasting impression? Colleges aren’t just looking for well-written responses—they want to understand you.
To make your writing stand out, focus on storytelling. Use specific anecdotes that only you can write about. Maybe it’s the moment you overcame stage fright before a big performance, the late nights spent coding an app that finally worked, or the time you pushed yourself to complete your first marathon. Instead of simply stating, “I’m passionate about research,” describe a project where you hit roadblocks, adjusted your approach, and discovered something meaningful along the way. Admissions officers care less about a list of achievements and more about why those experiences mattered to you and how they shaped your growth.
AI can be a helpful tool for brainstorming and refining your work, but don’t let it strip away your voice. Your final essay should sound like you—not like a machine. In an era where AI can generate generic responses in seconds, the best way to stand out is to embrace your own perspective, your quirks, and your real-life moments. After all, your story is the one they want to hear.
