Making an essay sound like a teenager wrote it.

[Anonymous]

Um, this isn't a thing. My oldest is an amazing writer and did really well when he applied. My second is a weak writer and has had to do many, many drafts to produce a decent essay. You worry about number 2 not 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She could try the Hemingway Editor, which will indicate grade level readability. Might just help flag overly complicated sentences. Fancy vocabulary doesn’t always sound smarter.

Isn’t this AI?

[Anonymous]

Maybe my average teen kid athlete can charge $250/hour making essays "sound like a teenager".

Who knew this was but another college counselor niche.

[Anonymous]

"ChatGPT, sprinkle some Gen Z slang into this essay."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop making up things to worry about.

+1
My DS is a great writer and I would have never thought that it would be an issue. You're a worry wort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about this too.

Had an Essay Coach look at her essays and the comments were so minimal and filled with “you are such an amazing writer” “this is absolutely delightful” “so beautifully worded”.

I’m worried it sounds too good. She’s been working on them for months though.

You’re ridiculous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good lord do you really think your kids are the only good writers out there? Lots and lots and lots of kids are strong writers. Does kid have 5 on Eng Lang AP? In 700s for verbal SAT score? Good Rec from English teacher? Then they’ll know your DC, just like 1000s of others, is a strong writer. Be grateful and move along.

Maybe a bit harsh, but this is the right idea.

[Anonymous]

Leave it alone you don't want to dumb it down.

[Anonymous]

OP, what are you really asking I wonder.

Are you saying you find your kids' essays filled with a rich vocabulary and grammatically correct, but you don't find the essays compelling or interesting?

I just can't imagine you would ask this question otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what are you really asking I wonder.

Are you saying you find your kids' essays filled with a rich vocabulary and grammatically correct, but you don't find the essays compelling or interesting?

I just can't imagine you would ask this question otherwise.

So many other threads have AOs and Counselors saying that you have to have bad grammar and structure so that the AI doesn't think you cheated on the essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe my average teen kid athlete can charge $250/hour making essays "sound like a teenager".

Who knew this was but another college counselor niche.

This is brilliant - hire a dumbing down consultant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what are you really asking I wonder.

Are you saying you find your kids' essays filled with a rich vocabulary and grammatically correct, but you don't find the essays compelling or interesting?

I just can't imagine you would ask this question otherwise.

So many other threads have AOs and Counselors saying that you have to have bad grammar and structure so that the AI doesn't think you cheated on the essay.

No - but AI has tell tale signs.
Easy to spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop making up things to worry about.

Exactly. My kid is so smart. Should I tell him to miss some questions on the SAT so people don't think he cheated?

Humblebrag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She could try the Hemingway Editor, which will indicate grade level readability. Might just help flag overly complicated sentences. Fancy vocabulary doesn’t always sound smarter.

This is true.

+1

OP doesn't have to worry about this at all. In part because I can virtually guarantee that it does sound like a teenager wrote it.

[Anonymous]

I think it is only suspicious if it doesn’t go along with other parts of the application. Such as high SAT verbal, 5 on AP Lang and/or Lit, recommendation from English teacher, wants to major in English or something similar.

It’s too late now but you can pay to get copies of your written responses from AP tests. My child did got back a copy of their AP English Lang test (score was a 5). The writing on the essay section absolutely matches their application essay. Can’t remember which college but they submitted it as a writing sample because it is an example of timed writing with zero chance of outside help or AI use.