My Approach to AI in the College Application Process

As an essay coach, I believe the most compelling college essays are authentic reflections of a student's own voice, experiences, and ideas. My role is to guide students through the writing process, not to replace it.

To support an ethical and meaningful writing process, I follow these principles:

• I do not paste student essays or personal writing into AI tools or large language models (LLMs). Your work remains private and is developed through brainstorming, conversation, gentle coaching, and thoughtful feedback.

• Students are expected to write and revise their own essays. AI should not be used to generate, rewrite, or substantially edit application essays or personal statements.

• I may use proofreading tools, such as Grammarly, to identify grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors, unless a student prefers that I do not.

• I may teach students how to use AI responsibly for college research, such as exploring academic programs, campus opportunities, comparing college programs, and other factual information. This reflects the way many people gather information online today and is generally consistent with what colleges permit.

• Any information gathered through AI should always be verified using official college websites and other reliable sources, as AI-generated information can be incomplete or inaccurate.

My goal isn't simply to help students write an essay that gets them into college. It's to help them discover who they are, clarify what they value, and develop the confidence to tell their own story. The self-reflection that happens throughout the writing process often becomes just as valuable as the finished essay itself.