University Admissions: Is AI an Ally or an Obstacle for Essays?

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Key Takeaways

1High-performing students use AI to enhance their essays, but only after drafting an initial version.

2A study of 370,000 essays reveals that the arrival of ChatGPT has made essays more sophisticated and colorful, but also more similar.

3An excellent essay must be memorable and reflect personal thought, not just accomplishments.

💡Why it matters — The balance between authenticity and the use of AI is crucial for standing out in college admissions.

The Impact of AI on College Admission Essays

In the realm of college admissions, a crucial question arises for parents: what role should artificial intelligence (AI) play in their children's essays? As an admissions expert, I observe that the most successful students know how to use AI wisely. They integrate it into their process, but only after drafting a first version of their essay.

The Results of a Recent Study

A recent study, reported by the New York Times, analyzed over 370,000 admission essays. It revealed that the introduction of ChatGPT has transformed these essays, making them more sophisticated and colorful, while also making them more similar to one another. Although they are more enjoyable to read, they tend to lose originality and depth.

The Elements of a Remarkable Essay

It is essential to understand that an admission essay is addressed to a person, an admissions officer, who is overwhelmed by hundreds of similar texts each week. This individual is not looking for the most impressive candidate, but rather one who stands out through authenticity and memorability.

A successful essay does not merely list achievements, as other parts of the application already handle that. It must captivate in three ways:

By presenting an original idea that surprises the reader.
By demonstrating personal reflection and self-awareness.
By sparking a desire to know the author, making them appealing as a future classmate.

Strategies for Gaining Admission to Prestigious Schools

In my coaching approach, writing is not the starting point. We begin by exploring significant moments. Students tend to want to write about generic categories such as years of musical practice or volunteer experiences. While these themes are valid, they often lack originality.

I advise students to spend a week reflecting on three types of content:

Their failures or mistakes, which make them human and relatable.
Their sacrifices, revealing their true priorities.
Their contradictions, which pique the reader's curiosity.

After this introspection, students draft a first version, often imperfect. Those who succeed in the most selective schools do not stop there. They revise their text, sometimes up to 20 versions, to reach a personal truth.

The Role of AI in the Process

AI cannot replace the intuition, memory, or unique voice of a student. However, after creating an authentic draft, it can be used to refine it.

As an analytical tool, AI helps make a text more lively and precise. Here are some questions I recommend students ask AI, but only about a text that already belongs to them:

Does this section seem too generic? Have I neglected to examine certain assumptions?
Are there any confusing or underdeveloped elements?

AI should be seen as a training partner, not as a ghostwriter. It can only be effective if the student's ideas and voice are already present.

Conclusion

While AI raises concerns, the real challenge remains unchanged: encouraging students to express a personal truth with an authentic voice. No chatbot can accomplish that.

It is crucial to encourage teenagers to think for themselves. If AI is involved, it should only be to refine an already authentic essay, not to replace it.