AI in College Admissions

In a world where artificial intelligence can write an essay, compose a song, and even pretend to be your best friend, it might feel tempting to ask: What if it could also get me into college?

Let’s be clear — don’t do it.

The Common App has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to AI-generated materials. If they suspect your application includes writing that isn’t your own, they’re required to report it to protect their reputation and the integrity of the admissions process. And colleges take that seriously. Using AI to write any part of your application could make you ineligible for admission at nearly every school on your list.

But the consequences aren’t just about getting caught. College is, at its core, an educational institution. Admissions officers are trying to understand who you are – your curiosity, your voice, your ability to learn and communicate. If they don’t get an accurate picture of that, they can’t fairly assess how you’d fit in or how to help you thrive once you’re on campus.

And here’s the thing: they will know. Even if your essay makes it through the first round undetected, the truth tends to come out the moment you’re asked to write your first paper in college. A student’s authentic writing voice is one of a kind. AI can mimic tone, but it can’t capture your specific rhythm, humor, and perspective.

Admissions officers don’t want perfect. They want you. They read thousands of essays every year; they can spot when something feels impersonal or disconnected. A polished but soulless essay does far more harm than a genuine, slightly imperfect one ever could.

So if you’re staring down a blank page, wondering how to start, don’t ask AI to do it for you. Ask yourself: What story do I want to tell? Then tell it. It’ll be messy at first, but you’ll refine it, and more importantly, it’ll be your ideas, your words, and your work. That’s the kind of application that gets noticed and remembered.