Your child’s essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will be interesting to ask your kids -honestly - whether they used AI, and to come back in December or March to let everyone know the results and AI use.

According to my DC, everyone used AI for idea generation, like they do now for everything. I do think that's generally permitted.

I wonder how similar these essay ideas will be.

Mine didn’t use AI for anything…too afraid to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did not hire an essay coach, writing tutor or private college counselor, so DS asked me and/or my husband to proofread his essays. I'm really proud of his essays and how much he's developed in his writing style since middle school!

We did the same thing! No hired help, just us offering moral support and to read it over when needed. Our DD drove the process and we had a supporting role.

She goes to a great school and her writing style has a genuine voice that is hers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be interesting to ask your kids -honestly - whether they used AI, and to come back in December or March to let everyone know the results and AI use.

According to my DC, everyone used AI for idea generation, like they do now for everything. I do think that's generally permitted.

I wonder how similar these essay ideas will be.

Mine didn’t use AI for anything…too afraid to.

Mine was too afraid to use even Grammarly! I proofread his essays before he submitted but even then he found a thing or two later. It is what it is. They were great essays and hopefully they are well received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be interesting to ask your kids -honestly - whether they used AI, and to come back in December or March to let everyone know the results and AI use.

According to my DC, everyone used AI for idea generation, like they do now for everything. I do think that's generally permitted.

I wonder how similar these essay ideas will be.

Mine didn’t use AI for anything…too afraid to.

absolutely no AI here either. and it's kind of killing me cuz i regularly use AI for editing. I am editing my kid's essay - but lightly so it's still his voice. And I'm not using any AI to do it either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone hire an essay coach? How did that work out? Was it worth it?

No we didn't hire a separate essay coach but this is part of what the college consultant offers - she has an essay coach on her staff. Honestly we didn't like her. She wrote her own words into DS's essay that made it worse in our opinion and wasn't his own voice/words. I thought professionals weren't supposed to do that. We counseled DS to take it out and go back to his own words. Read better and more authentic.

[Anonymous]

My dd didn’t let me read hers until a few minute's before she submitted her applications because she just wanted proofreading, not input on content. I was really blown away. Her writing included really vivid descriptions and was poignant without mentioning any tragedy. I’m so grateful I got to read it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD did not offer to let me read hers. She wants the application process to be completely hers. No input from mom allowed.

Ugh! I don’t think this is smart. Independent doesn’t mean zero help. Even now, as a full grown adult, if I am working on a fellowship application or something very important, I ask my husband and other colleagues for feedback and editing help

Independence means making your own choice, including choices your mom thinks aren't smart. As long as the kid picks, I'm fine with any choice, but if a parent "insists" they're losing independence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD did not offer to let me read hers. She wants the application process to be completely hers. No input from mom allowed.

Good for her but also gonna be a stark lesson in life for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you think of their essays/prompts generally?
Were there surprises for you as to the contents?
Did you like their writing style?

I had been asking my ds how his essays were going for couple of weeks. He kept saying they are progressing.
Once finished, and I read them, I didn’t realize before he had a writing style.
I also got few insights about him(good way)
All in all was pleasantly surprised.

Same! Last year, my DS really expressed his individuality, insight and character in his own voice.

I think the key was that he didn’t overthink the prompts and worry that his experiences and activities weren’t good enough. He was matter of fact about it. I hadn’t seen much of his writing for school, so I was also pleasantly surprised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD’s style is extremely to the point, so not at all what admissions offices are looking for. Ah well. Great kid, active and outgoing and very high stats, and already in at two rolling safeties that don’t worry overmuch about essays. Will thrive wherever she’s planted.

Don’t be too sure. My DS applied to mostly just below Top 20 schools last year with the same style and got several acceptances.

[Anonymous]

I think most kids used AI.

All of you pleasantly surprised by “how great the writing” is - maybe you’re not familiar with what paid AI college essays look like after you’ve worked the prompt for four or five weeks.

They’re now websites and GPT wrappers that all do this. And they all advertise on social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most kids used AI.

All of you pleasantly surprised by “how great the writing” is - maybe you’re not familiar with what paid AI college essays look like after you’ve worked the prompt for four or five weeks.

They’re now websites and GPT wrappers that all do this. And they all advertise on social media.

This is a good point. I used to think AI writing was good…but once I saw several examples, it really is easy to spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD did not offer to let me read hers. She wants the application process to be completely hers. No input from mom allowed.

That’s awful. I’m sorry.

Why is it awful? Sounds like PP’s daughter is independent and ready for college!

She doesn’t trust her Mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think most kids used AI.

All of you pleasantly surprised by “how great the writing” is - maybe you’re not familiar with what paid AI college essays look like after you’ve worked the prompt for four or five weeks.

They’re now websites and GPT wrappers that all do this. And they all advertise on social media.

This is a good point. I used to think AI writing was good…but once I saw several examples, it really is easy to spot.

It was one in three in 2024. I bet it’s 1 in 2 now.
https://www.edweek.org/technology/1-in-3-college-applicants-used-ai-for-essay-help-did-they-cheat/2024/07

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be interesting to ask your kids -honestly - whether they used AI, and to come back in December or March to let everyone know the results and AI use.

According to my DC, everyone used AI for idea generation, like they do now for everything. I do think that's generally permitted.

I wonder how similar these essay ideas will be.

Mine didn’t use AI for anything…too afraid to.

+1 mine didn’t use AI at all. She doesn’t like AI.