How can admission essays carry even an ounce of weight going forward?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure many of you use ChatGPT or the like in your daily lives and see its power to write just about anything.

Is it time for schools to 100% kill all essays? Honestly, what's the point?

Using ChatGPT well is also a skill. A skill that is going to be more important in the future.

HS and college students are already using it extensively. It is very helpful in reducing the amount of time required, eliminates the need to hire college counselors to review essays dramatically reducing costs and reduces stress.

You start with what is output and then personalize it extensively, which takes about 5% of the total effort compared to writing it from scratch. It has been a lifesaver in the last cycle for applying and getting into T20.

This, unfortunately, is the right take. This technology is a game changer and is not going anywhere. I don’t think that we can put the genie back in the bottle.

This is NOT the right take. Before someone can effectively use technology (BTW, not what the college asked for), they need to possess the skills themselves, otherwise they are not “using” the tool, it is using them. The idea that PP’s cheating offspring displaces someone who actually has the brains to benefit from. T20 is too bad.

Did you enjoy creating your first fork from scratch before you started using forks?

Not PP, but i don't think this is the right analogy. Most likely PP ate with their hands before using a fork. It's about understanding the basic, unassisted task before using a tool to make it easier or better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

Honey, I've seen too many moms of "analytical high stats" kids. If you ever wanted is for your kid to get a quant job at Jane Street, those schools are the best feeders.

[Anonymous]

Writing still matters in STEM. Don’t push the narrative that terrible communication is ok just because you know science.

[Anonymous]

I agree that lots of high stats kids hate writing application essays. College application essays are not like normal essays. They are about yourself. There are many minefields as well. Kids are told never to mention anxiety or mental health so writing about how they overcame their post pandemic anxiety is a red flag. Many kids are not comfortable using something deeply personal like the death of a loved one or friend in their essays even though I’m sure AOs would find that juicy and more interesting.

I wish the essay really was just a prompt to show their writing style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

Honey, I've seen too many moms of "analytical high stats" kids. If you ever wanted is for your kid to get a quant job at Jane Street, those schools are the best feeders.

“Honey” is passive aggressive and misogynistic. Do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

Honey, I've seen too many moms of "analytical high stats" kids. If you ever wanted is for your kid to get a quant job at Jane Street, those schools are the best feeders.

“Honey” is passive aggressive and misogynistic. Do better.

Okay, Sweetie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

Honey, I've seen too many moms of "analytical high stats" kids. If you ever wanted is for your kid to get a quant job at Jane Street, those schools are the best feeders.

Ivies particularly Princeton also feeds to quants. However they are not known to attract kids who hate to write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

Honey, I've seen too many moms of "analytical high stats" kids. If you ever wanted is for your kid to get a quant job at Jane Street, those schools are the best feeders.

Ivies particularly Princeton also feeds to quants. However they are not known to attract kids who hate to write.

If you can't communicate well using the English language, I don't know if you're going to gain admittance to a really top University. Just like English, majors are not getting into these schools without some high level facility in math and science, stem majors are not getting in without some high level facility with English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Essays shouldn't be a big problem for top kids. High school education is supposed to prepare you really well in writing. This is a non-issue.

Even those kids use it…I don’t understand your comment.

Unless you are shooting for T20 schools, essays are not that important anyway, AI or not.
If you are shooting for T20, and can't write a good essay, I call it a misfit.
The fact that "even those kids use it" doesn't help you. AI or not, those kids are going to write really good essays, so, a non-issue.
You are trying to make the case AI is going to change things dramatically but no it's not.

It already is…it’s called leverage. A kid that before would have only applied to 7 schools will now apply to 15 because AI can write the essays much quicker…so why not.

Also, two things can be true. That kid may be able to write an excellent essay on their own…but why bother if I can produce the finished product in one hour vs 20. Their editing skills are also likely top notch.

Finally, there are plenty of analytical high stats kids that just hate writing essays. It won’t matter much for actual college because they will be a STEM major and do just fine. Those kids will now apply to schools they probably would have passed because the essay portion will no longer be a problem.

That's the problem. These kids don't belong there. Fit is a lot more important than ranking. They should apply to MIT, Gtech, CMU, UIUC, Pursue, state flagship, SJSU.
Look, you clearly don't have any idea how college application works. Often your post reads just like an AI post, talking non-sense solemnly. The only difference is that, Chatgpt will apologize (insincerely) to me when I point out the error, whereas you are stubborn as ever.

I assume I am expert as anyone with two kids at top 10 colleges…you sound like a total dipshit.

You actually basically agreed with my post BTW.

Honey, I've seen too many moms of "analytical high stats" kids. If you ever wanted is for your kid to get a quant job at Jane Street, those schools are the best feeders.

“Honey” is passive aggressive and misogynistic. Do better.

I think it was meant to be passive aggressive. Certainly disrespectful but not necessarily misogynistic in this context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't recognize AI slop, you probably think you're getting great stuff out of chaptgpt. With the amount of reading AOs do, I think they can tell.

As someone whose original writing has been incorrectly attributed to AI generation, I don't believe that intuition suffices for this distinction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't recognize AI slop, you probably think you're getting great stuff out of chaptgpt. With the amount of reading AOs do, I think they can tell.

Low paid AOs are much less intelligent than most students applying to selective schools and much much less intelligent than AI.

Here's the thing. The first time you read chatgpt generated essays, they sound great. The 50th time you read a chatgpt generated essay they sound robotic.

I don't know if there is a higher level of ai that will sound more genuine but chatgpt is almost overly polished and their synthetic nature is detectable. Fixing a synthetically created essay to sound more genuine and give it voice is more work than just writing the damn thing yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't recognize AI slop, you probably think you're getting great stuff out of chaptgpt. With the amount of reading AOs do, I think they can tell.

As someone whose original writing has been incorrectly attributed to AI generation, I don't believe that intuition suffices for this distinction.

They you are overcooking your writing. Your voice isn't coming through

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's always been the case that rich kids could buy "editors" to write their essays. It would be entertaining to have kids submit essays as part of a standardized testing...I predict that admissions would change quite a bit if admissions officers could see how kids actually write without "support."

And must be hand written. In cursive.

[Anonymous]

Rich kids never write their own essays anyway. They need to abandon essays entirely unless they’re written under exam conditions as part of SAT or similar standardized testing.

And while we’re at it, they need to have a flag on every single test result where the kid had accommodations like extra time to do the test.