Is AI the Secret Weapon or a Red Flag in College Applications?

AI tools like ChatGPT are all the buzz right now, and yes, they can be super helpful. But when it comes to college applications, are they really the ace up your sleeve, or could they send your essay straight to the red-flag pile? Let’s break it down so you can use AI smartly—without losing your secret sauce.

AI as Your Research Assistant, Not Your Ghostwriter

Here’s the thing: AI is amazing for grunt work. Want to dig into what clubs or research opportunities your dream school offers without spending hours clicking through tabs? ChatGPT can summarize that in seconds.

Need a more specific example? Instead of losing your mind scrolling, ask, “What unique opportunities does XYZ University offer for students interested in neuroscience?” Boom, you’ve got a starting point.

But when it comes to your essay—the part where you tell admissions officers who you are—AI needs to take a backseat. That’s all you, baby.

Why AI Can’t Be the Star of the Show

Let me be real with you: AI can’t tell your story. Sure, it’ll toss out big words and perfectly crafted sentences, but you know what’s missing? Soul. Heart. That little spark that makes admissions counselors lean in and think, “Wow, this kid has something to say.”

Here’s why:

• Essays Are About Connection: The best essays feel like a conversation. They’re vulnerable, honest, and very much you. AI might write a polished essay, but it’ll read like a chatbot wrote it. Yawn.
• It’s Too Perfect: Admissions officers have seen a lot of essays. If something looks too polished, too formulaic, or—let’s face it—too boring, they’ll know. Your quirks and imperfections? Those are your secret weapons.
• Your Life, Your Rules: AI doesn’t know what it’s like to be you. It can’t connect the dots between your childhood fascination with robots and your dream of being a bioengineer. That’s where your brilliance shines.

How to Use AI Without Losing Yourself

If you’re still thinking, “Okay, so where can I use AI?”—don’t worry, I’ve got you:

1. Quick Research: Use AI to gather facts. It’s your very own Google ninja. Just double-check the info to make sure it’s accurate.
2. Wordsmithing Assistant: Stuck finding the perfect word? AI’s thesaurus game is strong. But only use it to tweak, not to rewrite.
3. Grammar Police: Let’s be honest—even the best writers make typos. Use AI to catch errors, but don’t rely on it for nuanced edits. You’re better than that.
4. Fact Checker: If you’re name-dropping a program or professor, make sure you’ve got it right. AI’s handy for those little details.

Notice what’s missing? Outlining, conceptualizing, and drafting. That’s all on you. Why? Because admissions officers can spot the difference between a student who’s poured their heart into an essay and one who’s let a robot do the talking.

The Bottom Line

AI is a tool, not a magician. It’s there to help you clean up, polish, and organize—but the vision, the voice, the raw you? That can’t be outsourced. Admissions officers want to know who you are, and there’s no algorithm for that.

So use ChatGPT for what it’s good at: saving you time and making life easier. But when it comes to the parts of your application that really matter, trust yourself. You’ve got the ideas, the drive, and the story. Tell it your way. Top Dog is here to help.