On the Use of AI in College Essays
A college counselor who has read thousands of essays explains why AI-written college essays are easy to spot and why using AI is risky.
Ms. Pont · College counselor
I edited my first personal statement on a Mac Classic, the writer, a senior I had taught in junior English, sitting beside me. I knew him well, and it was a pleasure to read his essay. When I changed the wording of an image, the senior laughed out loud, pointed at the screen, and exclaimed, “If I get into college, it will be your fault!”
He was admitted early to Stanford.
Since then, I have read thousands of college essays. When I read them, I hear the students’ voices (literally . . . it is as if they are there in the room reading to me), and I relish the uniqueness of both the stories and the voices. When I tweak an image, it is always carefully in keeping with the writer’s voice. I never want to undermine that voice because doing so undermines an essay.
As you can imagine, spotting any use of AI is easy for me. In fact, it is almost instantaneous. I can enumerate the particulars of what I see when AI rears its repugnant head, but the greatest damage is to the integrity of the essay. Both the story and the voice become homogenized, bland, robotic. Sure, the grammar is correct . . . but no college wants to accept a robot who uses excellent grammar.
And, more importantly, no college wants to accept a student who passes off AI as their own work.
Case in point: I recently toured the University of Virginia. The tour began with really great Southern biscuits, continued with thoughtful presentations by faculty members, proceeded with enthusiastic tours led by UVA students, and culminated in final words by the admissions director. In the only somber moment of the day, he vilified the use of AI in college essays, assuring students that they would not be admitted if the admissions officers suspected any use of AI.
Sure, it’s quick and easy. Sure, the end result is well-crafted. Sure, you might get away with it. But using AI is not only risky, it’s lazy. Risky and lazy? That’s a terrible combination. Best to spend the time to produce your own slightly ungrammatical but very human writing.
Originally published October 29, 2025.