ChatGPT and the college application essay

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiosity I started using the ChatGTP bot to write some personal essays, A la common app.

Here was my first request:

Write a 500 word college application essay connecting my love for Legos with my interest in bicycle transportation.

Here was the answer - within 60 seconds

As a child, I was always drawn to the bright colors and endless possibilities of Legos. I would spend hours lost in my own imagination, building elaborate structures and cities with the small plastic bricks. Little did I know at the time, this love for Legos would shape my future interests and passions in a way I could have never predicted.

While I still enjoy the occasional Lego set, my interests have evolved over the years. As I grew older, I became increasingly interested in sustainable transportation and the ways in which we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It was around this time that I discovered the world of cycling.

At first, my interest in cycling was simply a way to stay active and have fun. But as I delved deeper into the world of bike culture, I began to see the many benefits of bicycle transportation. From the health benefits of regular exercise to the environmental benefits of reducing emissions, it was clear that cycling was a win-win for both individuals and society as a whole.

As I continued to explore the world of cycling, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to my childhood love of Legos. Both cycling and Legos are all about creativity, problem-solving, and finding new and innovative ways to approach challenges. Whether it's building a new bike trail or constructing a intricate Lego model, the process of creation is both rewarding and stimulating.

But beyond the personal enjoyment and fulfillment that both Legos and cycling bring, there is a larger societal impact at play. Legos have long been a tool for educational development, teaching children skills such as spatial reasoning and creativity. Similarly, cycling has the potential to be a powerful force for change in the world. By promoting sustainable transportation, we can work towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change.

As I look towards my future, I am excited to continue exploring the intersection of my two passions: Legos and cycling. Whether it's through the design and creation of innovative cycling infrastructure or the use of Legos as a tool for educational development, I am eager to make a positive impact on the world.

In conclusion, my love for Legos and my interest in bicycle transportation may seem like unrelated passions, but they are actually deeply interconnected. Both allow for creativity, problem-solving, and personal fulfillment, and both have the potential to make a positive impact on the world. It is this combination of interests that makes me a unique and passionate candidate for college, and I am excited to see where my passions will take me in the future.

I'm pretty impressed but... I wanted it to be better.

I refined it with these two requests:

add more details about bike transportation and building things efficiently

and

More details about Legos and efficient problem solving

and got back THIS:

As a child, I was always drawn to the endless possibilities of Legos. With just a few bricks, I could create almost anything my imagination could conjure up. This early exposure to building and problem-solving with Legos helped to shape my analytical and creative thinking skills, and I have continued to turn to Legos as a source of inspiration and challenge throughout my life.

One aspect of Legos that particularly interests me is the way in which they can be used to teach efficient problem-solving and design principles. For example, when building with Legos, it is often necessary to use a limited number of bricks to construct a functional and aesthetically pleasing model. This requires careful planning and the ability to think creatively in order to find the most efficient solution.

This concept of efficient problem-solving is something that I have found to be applicable in many areas of my life, including my interest in cycling. Whether it's designing a bike-friendly city or creating a maintenance plan for a fleet of bikes, finding the most efficient and effective solution requires careful planning and the ability to think outside the box.

In addition to teaching problem-solving skills, Legos also encourage creativity and the ability to think in three dimensions. As a child, I would often spend hours lost in my own imagination, building elaborate structures and cities with the small plastic bricks. This early exposure to spatial reasoning has proved invaluable in my studies and future career goals.

Overall, my love for Legos has had a lasting impact on my personal and professional development. From teaching me the value of efficient problem-solving to fostering my creativity and spatial reasoning skills, Legos have played a vital role in shaping the person I am today. I am confident that this passion will continue to guide me in my college studies and beyond, and I am excited to see where it will take me next.

This was written in less than 5 minutes, start to finish. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Shh! Why the F do you want to share it here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just out of curiosity I started using the ChatGTP bot to write some personal essays, A la common app.

Here was my first request:

Write a 500 word college application essay connecting my love for Legos with my interest in bicycle transportation.

Here was the answer - within 60 seconds

As a child, I was always drawn to the bright colors and endless possibilities of Legos. I would spend hours lost in my own imagination, building elaborate structures and cities with the small plastic bricks. Little did I know at the time, this love for Legos would shape my future interests and passions in a way I could have never predicted.

While I still enjoy the occasional Lego set, my interests have evolved over the years. As I grew older, I became increasingly interested in sustainable transportation and the ways in which we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It was around this time that I discovered the world of cycling.

At first, my interest in cycling was simply a way to stay active and have fun. But as I delved deeper into the world of bike culture, I began to see the many benefits of bicycle transportation. From the health benefits of regular exercise to the environmental benefits of reducing emissions, it was clear that cycling was a win-win for both individuals and society as a whole.

As I continued to explore the world of cycling, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to my childhood love of Legos. Both cycling and Legos are all about creativity, problem-solving, and finding new and innovative ways to approach challenges. Whether it's building a new bike trail or constructing a intricate Lego model, the process of creation is both rewarding and stimulating.

But beyond the personal enjoyment and fulfillment that both Legos and cycling bring, there is a larger societal impact at play. Legos have long been a tool for educational development, teaching children skills such as spatial reasoning and creativity. Similarly, cycling has the potential to be a powerful force for change in the world. By promoting sustainable transportation, we can work towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change.

As I look towards my future, I am excited to continue exploring the intersection of my two passions: Legos and cycling. Whether it's through the design and creation of innovative cycling infrastructure or the use of Legos as a tool for educational development, I am eager to make a positive impact on the world.

In conclusion, my love for Legos and my interest in bicycle transportation may seem like unrelated passions, but they are actually deeply interconnected. Both allow for creativity, problem-solving, and personal fulfillment, and both have the potential to make a positive impact on the world. It is this combination of interests that makes me a unique and passionate candidate for college, and I am excited to see where my passions will take me in the future.

I'm pretty impressed but... I wanted it to be better.

I refined it with these two requests:

add more details about bike transportation and building things efficiently

and

More details about Legos and efficient problem solving

and got back THIS:

As a child, I was always drawn to the endless possibilities of Legos. With just a few bricks, I could create almost anything my imagination could conjure up. This early exposure to building and problem-solving with Legos helped to shape my analytical and creative thinking skills, and I have continued to turn to Legos as a source of inspiration and challenge throughout my life.

One aspect of Legos that particularly interests me is the way in which they can be used to teach efficient problem-solving and design principles. For example, when building with Legos, it is often necessary to use a limited number of bricks to construct a functional and aesthetically pleasing model. This requires careful planning and the ability to think creatively in order to find the most efficient solution.

This concept of efficient problem-solving is something that I have found to be applicable in many areas of my life, including my interest in cycling. Whether it's designing a bike-friendly city or creating a maintenance plan for a fleet of bikes, finding the most efficient and effective solution requires careful planning and the ability to think outside the box.

In addition to teaching problem-solving skills, Legos also encourage creativity and the ability to think in three dimensions. As a child, I would often spend hours lost in my own imagination, building elaborate structures and cities with the small plastic bricks. This early exposure to spatial reasoning has proved invaluable in my studies and future career goals.

Overall, my love for Legos has had a lasting impact on my personal and professional development. From teaching me the value of efficient problem-solving to fostering my creativity and spatial reasoning skills, Legos have played a vital role in shaping the person I am today. I am confident that this passion will continue to guide me in my college studies and beyond, and I am excited to see where it will take me next.

This was written in less than 5 minutes, start to finish. What do you think?

If you ask same question, will it give same answer or similar one?

[Anonymous]

link to the bot is here:

https://chat.openai.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If you ask same question, will it give same answer or similar one?

different each time, and you can give it follow up instructions to refine it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shh! Why the F do you want to share it here?

I thought about that but, c'mon. With two weeks EVERY high school and college student in the country is going to know about this bot.

[Anonymous]

Here's my next try:

Write a college application essay connecting my interest in political campaigns with housework. 500 words

As I stand at the sink scrubbing the grime off a particularly stubborn pot, I can't help but think about how similar this task is to running a successful political campaign. Both require strategy, attention to detail, and a willingness to roll up one's sleeves and get down to the nitty-gritty work.

Growing up, I was always fascinated by politics. I loved learning about different governments, following the news, and debating current events with my friends and family. But it wasn't until I volunteered on a local political campaign that I fully appreciated the hard work and dedication that goes into running for office.

At first, I was just excited to be a part of the action. I went door to door, handing out flyers and talking to voters about the candidate's platform. But as the campaign picked up steam, I found myself taking on more and more responsibilities. I helped organize events, update social media, and even worked the phones, calling potential donors and urging them to support our candidate.

Through all of this, I learned the importance of organization and efficiency. Just like how a dirty kitchen can quickly become overwhelming, a disorganized campaign can easily lose ground to a more cohesive one. I also learned the value of persistence. Sometimes, voters weren't interested in hearing what I had to say, but I knew that every conversation, no matter how brief, was an opportunity to make an impact. In the same way, I knew that every dirty dish was one step closer to a clean kitchen.

But perhaps most importantly, I learned the importance of teamwork. Whether it was the campaign staff working together to come up with a new strategy or my family pitching in to help with the housework, I saw firsthand how much more we could accomplish when we worked together towards a common goal.

As I continue my education and consider my future career goals, I know that I want to stay involved in politics and make a difference in my community. Whether it's running a campaign of my own or working behind the scenes to support a candidate I believe in, I know that the skills I've learned through my experience with political campaigns and housework will serve me well.

In a world that often seems divided and hostile, I believe that bringing people together to work towards a common goal is more important than ever. And whether it's through the political process or simply by helping to keep a household running smoothly, I know that I have the dedication, organization, and teamwork skills to make a real difference.

[Anonymous]

This article has some good points about equity, and also I'll bet the money-grabbing College Board will jump on this:

https://summitprep.com/blog/chatgpt-and-college-essays/

[Anonymous]

Exact same prompt, second try. No changes requested:

Write a college application essay connecting my interest in political campaigns with housework. 500 words


As a child, I was always fascinated by political campaigns. I loved watching the speeches, the rallies, and the debates, and I spent countless hours reading about the candidates and their platforms. But as I grew older and learned more about the world, I realized that politics was about more than just the grand speeches and the media coverage; it was about the day-to-day work of building and maintaining a community.

This realization came to me in a particularly meaningful way when I began to take on more responsibilities around the house. As the oldest child in my family, I quickly learned that keeping a household running smoothly required a lot of hard work and organization. I was responsible for making sure that the dishes were washed, the laundry was done, and the house was clean and tidy.

At first, I saw these tasks as a burden, something that took me away from the things that I really cared about. But as I grew more responsible and began to understand the importance of these tasks, I began to see the connections between housework and politics.

Just as a political campaign requires careful planning and attention to detail in order to be successful, so too does the work of running a household. Both require a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to working towards a common goal. And just as a political campaign can bring people together and create a sense of community, so too can the work of maintaining a household create a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

In fact, I would argue that the work of maintaining a household is a form of political activism in and of itself. By taking care of our homes and our communities, we are participating in the larger political process of building and sustaining a healthy and thriving society.

As I look ahead to college and beyond, I am excited to continue exploring the connections between my interest in political campaigns and my experiences with housework. Whether I'm working on a campaign or simply doing my part to keep my own home running smoothly, I know that I will be making a positive contribution to the world around me. And I believe that this sense of purpose and responsibility will be an invaluable asset as I continue to grow and learn.

[Anonymous]

Hope this makes colleges drop the stupid essays that rich parents already buy with college essay coaches. Standardized tests and gpa and done. (ECs are already gamed by the rich).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hope this makes colleges drop the stupid essays that rich parents already buy with college essay coaches. Standardized tests and gpa and done. (ECs are already gamed by the rich).

Standardized tests and gpas are gamed by the rich already too.

[Anonymous]

Same request -- but I asked it to make it more folksy

now add more colloquialisms, make it more folksy, more idioms.

Growing up, I was always drawn to the excitement of political campaigns. I couldn't get enough of the speeches and rallies, and I was always curious about the candidates and their platforms. But as I got older, I realized that politics was about more than just the flashy stuff - it was about the nitty-gritty work of building and maintaining a community.

That realization hit me especially hard when I started taking on more responsibilities around the house. As the oldest kid in my family, I learned pretty quickly that keeping a house running smoothly takes a lot of elbow grease and organization. I was in charge of making sure the dishes got washed, the laundry got done, and the house was clean as a whistle.

At first, I saw these chores as more of a pain than anything else. They seemed to take me away from the things I really cared about. But as I grew more responsible and started to understand the importance of these tasks, I began to see the connections between housework and politics.

Just like a political campaign needs careful planning and attention to detail to be successful, running a household takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Both require a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to working towards a common goal. And just like a political campaign can bring people together and create a sense of community, the work of keeping a house in order can bring a family closer and give everyone a sense of belonging and purpose.

In my mind, maintaining a household is a kind of political activism in and of itself. By taking care of our homes and communities, we're doing our part to build and sustain a healthy, thriving society. And let's face it, a clean house is a happy house - so I guess you could say I'm working towards a cleaner, happier campaign.

As I look ahead to college and beyond, I'm excited to continue exploring the connections between my love of politics and my experiences with housework. Whether I'm working on a campaign or just doing my part to keep my own home running smoothly, I know I'll be making a positive contribution to the world around me. And I believe that sense of purpose and responsibility will serve me well as I continue to grow and learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hope this makes colleges drop the stupid essays that rich parents already buy with college essay coaches. Standardized tests and gpa and done. (ECs are already gamed by the rich).

OP here -- I have NO IDEA. But look at what I was able to get with almost no effort.

I know it isn't great or anything. But it will be very hard for students now to write personal college essays that seem authentic and yet prove that they weren't written by a chatbot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hope this makes colleges drop the stupid essays that rich parents already buy with college essay coaches. Standardized tests and gpa and done. (ECs are already gamed by the rich).

Absolutely! Countries with much larger populations (China and India) have figured it out and do exactly this. Of course, throw in some set-asides for first gen+poor, true African Americans, Native Americans, etc. We did the ethical, proper route for Kid 1. He did not get into an ivy but a top 20 and watched idiots who gamed the system get into Ivies. For kids 2 and 3, we WILL be gaming the system, lying and leveraging anything we can.

[Anonymous]

write a college application essay connecting my interest in chinese cooking with a major in architecture

As a child, I was always fascinated by the intricate details and delicate balance found in Chinese cooking. From the careful selection and preparation of ingredients, to the precise timing and presentation of each dish, there was a sense of harmony and intentionality that captivated me.

As I grew older, my love for Chinese cooking only deepened, and I began to see the connection between the art of cooking and the art of design. Both require a strong attention to detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and a desire to create something that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

It is this connection that has led me to pursue a major in architecture. Just as a chef must consider the flavors, textures, and presentation of a dish, an architect must consider the form, function, and aesthetic of a building. Both require a strong foundation in the principles of their craft, as well as a willingness to experiment and push the boundaries in order to create something truly unique and memorable.

As I embark on my journey towards a career in architecture, I know that my love for Chinese cooking will continue to inspire and inform my work. The skills and perspectives I have gained in the kitchen will serve me well as I design and create buildings that are functional, beautiful, and harmonious.