By Zelda Thomas-Curti, College Counselor and Essay Coach
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Every year, I see more students consider using AI for their college essays, and I understand why. The college process can feel overwhelming, and families are often looking for ways to make it easier. But when it comes to the personal essay, I want parents to know that the strongest writing usually comes from the student’s own voice.
The essay is one of the few parts of a college application where a student gets to show who they really are. It gives admissions committees something they cannot find in grades or test scores, which is a glimpse of personality, perspective, and self-reflection. That is why it matters so much for the essay to feel genuine and personal. Colleges are not only looking for strong students. They are also looking for thoughtful, self-aware young people who can communicate their experiences in a clear and authentic way.
This is also where working with a college essay coach can be so helpful. A good coach can help students think through their experiences, uncover what feels most meaningful, and shape a story that truly reflects who they are. Sometimes students need help recognizing that the moments they think are ordinary are actually the ones that make them interesting. What feels small or routine to them may be exactly what makes their story feel real and memorable to someone else.
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My concern with AI is not just that it can make an essay sound less personal. It can also pull students away from the process of discovering their own story. The best essays are not written to sound perfect. They are written to sound real. Colleges want to hear the student’s voice, including the small details, quirks, and honest reflections that make the writing feel human and memorable. That voice is what helps an application stand out in a crowded pool of similarly accomplished students.
It is also important for families to know that colleges have clear expectations around AI use in applications. In general, students should not use AI to write the actual essay. Some schools may allow it for brainstorming or editing, but the essay itself should remain the student’s own work. And while families sometimes think of this as a small shortcut, the consequences can be serious. At a recent college counselors conference, admissions officers from the University of Pennsylvania shared an example of a student who fabricated something on her application. She was initially accepted, but later had her admission rescinded. That story was a powerful reminder that honesty in the application process really matters, and that a rescinded offer is not just a warning. It is a real outcome that can change a student’s path in a major way.
As parents, one of the best things we can do is encourage our children to trust their own voice. The college essay does not need to be polished to the point of sounding generic. It needs to feel thoughtful, sincere, and unmistakably theirs. That is what helps a student stand out in a process where so many applications can start to sound similar. Students do not need to have the most dramatic story in the room. They need to have a true one.
Looking for an essay coach? Flying Colors can help. Email Ron Michalak, president and founder, to learn more at [email protected].