I'm a college admissions expert, and my top students use AI. Here's how your kids should use AI on their essays.

As the college application season approaches, many parents are contemplating whether their teenagers should utilize AI tools to craft their admissions essays. As an expert in college admissions, my perspective is that the effectiveness of AI largely hinges on its application and timing. Historically, students have sought shortcuts in essay writing, whether it involved purchasing essays from mills, imitating successful templates, or hiring consultants. With the advent of AI, these shortcuts have become more accessible and widespread. A study analyzing over 370,000 college essays, reported by the New York Times, revealed a notable trend: post-ChatGPT, essays became more sophisticated and vibrant, yet they also started to converge in style, often sacrificing individuality for polish. When advising students on essay writing, I emphasize that they are not writing for a faceless institution but for a person—an admissions officer inundated with applications. This officer is not merely looking for the most accomplished candidate; they seek the one who stands out in memory. To create a compelling essay, students must move beyond listing achievements, which are already highlighted in their applications. Instead, I guide them to explore their personal experiences. I encourage students to reflect on three key areas: their failures, which foster relatability; their sacrifices, revealing true values; and their contradictions, showcasing their complexity. These unexpected elements tend to capture a reader's attention. Before penning their first drafts, I have students dedicate time to introspection, uncovering moments from their lives. The initial drafts are often rough, but those aiming for highly competitive schools typically produce numerous revisions—sometimes as many as 20 drafts—to refine their narratives. The essence of their writing lies in their unique insights and memories, which AI cannot replicate. AI can serve as a valuable tool in this process, provided it is used judiciously. Once a student has crafted a genuine draft, AI can assist in enhancing clarity and precision. Prompts such as "Does this section feel clichéd, or am I making unexamined assumptions?" or "Is there anything confusing or underdeveloped in my writing?" can transform AI into a constructive collaborator rather than a substitute writer. While concerns about AI in education are valid, they often stem from age-old issues in essay writing. The core solution remains the same: encouraging students to express authentic thoughts in their distinct voices. If AI is to be used, it should only come into play at the end of the writing process, aimed at refining an original essay instead of replacing it altogether. My experience as an educator at Harvard Summer School and founder of The Ivy League Challenge underscores this approach.