Is it okay to use AI tools to help with my college essays?
I keep seeing people talk about using AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm or draft their college essays. I’m a senior and kind of stuck on ideas for my Common App essay, so I’m wondering what people’s opinions and experiences are with using AI as a brainstorming tool.
I totally get why admissions offices wouldn’t want essays written entirely by a chatbot, and I know it has to sound like my authentic voice. But would it be wrong if I just used it for some inspiration or maybe to help outline my thoughts? My school counselor didn’t have a clear answer. Has anyone asked their admissions reps about it or have any advice?
I want my application to be as strong as possible, but I also want to make sure I’m not doing anything that could get me in trouble.
I totally get why admissions offices wouldn’t want essays written entirely by a chatbot, and I know it has to sound like my authentic voice. But would it be wrong if I just used it for some inspiration or maybe to help outline my thoughts? My school counselor didn’t have a clear answer. Has anyone asked their admissions reps about it or have any advice?
I want my application to be as strong as possible, but I also want to make sure I’m not doing anything that could get me in trouble.
4 months ago
•
8 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You're definitely not alone in wondering about this; lots of students are curious about the role of AI in the college application process. Generally speaking, it's fine to use AI tools for brainstorming, generating ideas, or even sparking an outline—so long as the final content and voice genuinely reflect your own experiences.
Think of AI like you might use a thesaurus, a grammar checker, or even a Google search. If you're stuck on coming up with a topic or need a kickstart, AI can offer prompts and help you organize your thoughts. For example, you might ask for ideas based on activities you’ve done or moments that stand out to you. Then, after reviewing those suggestions, you can pick the ones that feel personally meaningful and start writing about them in your own words.
What admissions officers care about is authenticity. They want to hear YOUR unique perspective, not a generic story generated by a tool. Most admissions offices have said that as long as students use AI responsibly—meaning, not copying and pasting entire essays generated by AI, but rather using it as a supplemental resource—it's not a problem. Some even compare it to talking through ideas with a teacher or counselor.
Every school is a little different, though, so if you’re unsure, you might want to check the specific college’s website or reach out to them directly. For now, using AI for inspiration is generally okay, as long as the essay truly represents your voice and lived experience.
Here's an example: Let’s say you use AI to help brainstorm five possible essay topics, then you choose one and write about a personal moment connected to that idea—such as how learning to cook family recipes on weekends with your grandmother shaped your approach to problem-solving. As long as the storytelling and reflection are your own, you’re in the clear.
Just make sure to revise, personalize, and review your drafts so what you submit is unmistakably your work. Good luck with your essays!
Think of AI like you might use a thesaurus, a grammar checker, or even a Google search. If you're stuck on coming up with a topic or need a kickstart, AI can offer prompts and help you organize your thoughts. For example, you might ask for ideas based on activities you’ve done or moments that stand out to you. Then, after reviewing those suggestions, you can pick the ones that feel personally meaningful and start writing about them in your own words.
What admissions officers care about is authenticity. They want to hear YOUR unique perspective, not a generic story generated by a tool. Most admissions offices have said that as long as students use AI responsibly—meaning, not copying and pasting entire essays generated by AI, but rather using it as a supplemental resource—it's not a problem. Some even compare it to talking through ideas with a teacher or counselor.
Every school is a little different, though, so if you’re unsure, you might want to check the specific college’s website or reach out to them directly. For now, using AI for inspiration is generally okay, as long as the essay truly represents your voice and lived experience.
Here's an example: Let’s say you use AI to help brainstorm five possible essay topics, then you choose one and write about a personal moment connected to that idea—such as how learning to cook family recipes on weekends with your grandmother shaped your approach to problem-solving. As long as the storytelling and reflection are your own, you’re in the clear.
Just make sure to revise, personalize, and review your drafts so what you submit is unmistakably your work. Good luck with your essays!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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