To AI or Not to AI, That Is the Question

I just made AI a verb. Maybe it'll catch on.

Some days, when I'm in denial about the speed of change, I wonder whether AI is just another trend. Most days, though, I recognize it's here to stay. The question isn't whether students should use AI—it's how they should use it.

When it comes to college admissions, there's an important difference between using AI as a tool and relying on it as a crutch.

I tell my students, "I am your AI."

You don't need artificial intelligence to brainstorm your Personal Statement—that's what our conversations are for. AI can't laugh with you. It can't notice the pause before you mention that your grandfather taught you chess, or ask the follow-up question that uncovers the story you've forgotten you even had. It can't read the expression on your face when you talk about something that truly matters to you.

Students need encouragement. They need support. But their brains work just fine.

For the Personal Statement and supplemental essays, let's begin with human conversation. Let's embrace the messy first draft. (Actually, let's embrace several messy drafts.) You can't get to a great final essay without working through the imperfect ones first. And learning how to revise—to think, reflect, and improve your own writing—is a skill that extends far beyond the college application process.

The art is in the making.

We can't control the final outcome. We can only control our effort.

Now, before I get too preachy…

Here's my promise: I'll stay current on AI in higher education, follow developments in college admissions, attend webinars on the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and share useful resources here on the blog.

My request to students? Don't use it. For this, right now, anyway.

Your application should sound like you.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year. When the same polished phrases and predictable language begin appearing over and over, experienced readers notice. Your authentic voice is still your greatest advantage.

For full disclosure, I absolutely use AI myself—for research, organization, and occasionally to generate a list of strong action verbs for your Activities List. (I took that one for the team.) You'll even find those resources in our shared folder.

But when it comes to your story?

That's still ours to discover together.

You and I will talk about your week, your challenges, your victories, and your hopes for the future. We'll prepare for the sometimes-daunting roller coaster of college admissions one conversation, one draft, and one revision at a time.

ChatGPT and Claude can happily wait by the pool while we do the real work.

Because when those acceptance letters start rolling in, I want you to know the words that got you there were yours. I'll simply be the friendly human cheering from the rooftops.