Authentic Personal Statements start with you, not AI
There’s nothing more intimidating than starting something from scratch or staring at a blank page. I felt that exact pressure while writing this blog post. I was intimidated to start, looked for inspiration, and honestly, just procrastinated. And lately, thanks to the availability and advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it’s become even harder. Tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Poe taunt us to open a web browser, write a compelling prompt, and “just see” what AI offers us. It’s tempting. What’s the harm?
Well, when it comes to writing your Personal Statement, relying on AI to generate ideas for you can actually work against you, undermining the authentic voice of your narrative and even putting your application at risk.
Sure, you could ask AI for suggestions and then return to your blank page with a head full of suggestions. But why do yourself a disservice by clouding your personal experiences and insight from a tool that knows nothing about you?
The Personal Statement is your most significant opportunity in the college application to express who you are. Unlike your transcript, GPA, or activities list, you have the chance to use your voice to express your growth and experiences in 650 words.
But wait, don’t colleges use AI in their review process?
Yes, it’s true. Last month, we wrote about the rise in use of AI within college admissions offices. However, it’s important to note that colleges are using AI as it is intended - to expedite a process or task at scale. In this way, colleges may use AI as a tool to help them with the thousands of applications to review each year. They’re applying technology in the way it is designed - to make a process more efficient.
So, how do you actually approach that looming blank page?
Our Essay Coaches partner with students to break down the essay. We facilitate conversations around personal stories, family dynamics, challenges and proud moments that have shaped our students. We ask through provoking questions that pull each student’s unique characteristics and perspective. Then, we help shape these thoughts, ideas, and emotions into a compelling Personal Statement.
But, you do not need to wait for an Essay Coach to get started. Here are some tips to start now:
Start early.
We cannot emphasize this enough. At LogicPrep, we start working with students in June following 11th grade to allow multiple ideas, drafts, and revisions to evolve.
Just…start.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Many students prefer to start with a “spill draft,” putting all their ideas down and refining later (seriously, it’s ok to skip the punctuation and embrace the run-on sentences here).
Try a voice note.
Sometimes it’s easier to begin by telling your story out loud - literally! Embrace this by saving voice notes on your phone that you can potentially translate into text later. Sometimes talking helps to get the ideas flowing.
Start with a photo.
Scroll through a few of your favorite photos and pick one or two that stand out. Describe what you see and the memory it captures. What made your happy in that moment - the people, the place, the event? Photos are powerful prompts to spark storytelling.
Don’t focus on the questions.
The Common App questions are just there to guide you; relieve the pressure to pick the perfect prompt (spoiler alert: there’s no such thing) and try to identify instead what it is you want to say.
Capture ideas in the moment.
Create a dedicated note on your phone. Write down a few lightbulb moments. What made you proud? What challenged you? These little ideas add up.
Keep a journal.
Want to go a step deeper? Start journaling (as early as 9th grade, even). This is a habit that often reveals major themes for your essays over time.
Official Policies on AI in College Essays:
Lastly, we think it’s important to mention that there are official policies on AI in college applications. On the Common Application, all students are required to affirm to a statement that all work is their own, and that includes work written by AI.
Colleges have echoed this statement with their own statements on Artificial Intelligence. Here’s a few examples:
“Your application essays and other written materials should accurately represent your writing skills. We discourage you from using AI tools like ChatGPT as the main source of your essay’s content.” - Washington University in St Louis
“While an applicant may use artificial intelligence to assist with spelling and grammar review, in the same way as any other platform that supports basic proofreading, the content of all essays, short-answer questions and any other material submitted by an applicant must be the work of that individual.” - Brown University
“If you opt to use these tools at any point while writing your essays, they should only be used to support your original ideas rather than to write your essays in their entirety.” - Boston University
While the blank page can be daunting, the potential negative consequences of succumbing to AI intervention are significant - and ultimately, undermining the purpose of the college essay: to give every student the chance to tell their story in a way that no one else can.
Need help getting started on your essay? Let’s chat!
