Trends and Themes: January 2024

January is always a good time to reflect on the trends and themes of the most recent application cycle and look ahead to what’s coming in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. As chair of the Committee on Current Trends and Future Issues of PCACAC (Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling), Sally and the committee have been keeping track of the following trends:

ChatGPT made a splash in 2022 and since then more generative artificial intelligence programs have been released. Throughout 2023, many people in college admissions questioned how these chatbots would impact the college admission essay and supplements and how institutions would respond. Some schools have instituted new policies to address this issue; for example, the University of California system includes a Statement of Application Integrity in which they state that the “UC conducts regular screenings to verify the integrity of the responses” and “may request authentication of the content or writing as the student’s.” Our March 1 blog post, Rejected! How ChatGPT Destroys the College Admissions Essay, offers an in-depth look at the risks of using AI chatbots to write college essays.

The Supreme Court decision on race consideration in college admission released at the end of June 2023 had a significant impact on the way that colleges are reading applications this cycle and changing their internal processes. Many schools changed their supplemental essays in order to comply with the ruling, including the University of Virginia. Their new prompt asks students: “What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA?” Other schools added on more essays.

In December 2020, Congress passed legislation requiring the Department of Education to update and simplify the FAFSA (the application which determines eligibility for federal student aid) by December 31, 2023. The Department of Education has begun a “soft launch” of the redesigned FAFSA and students and families can begin to complete their applications. We have yet to see the impact of the changes in the formula the government uses to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI). One of the more significant changes is the removal of the number of children a family has attending institutions of higher education in a given year. 

Changes relating to standardized testing have continued to emerge as a trend. While many schools saw an increase in applications and an increase in applications from historically underserved populations, other schools have decided to return to requiring either the SAT or the ACT. Two great examples are CalTech and MIT. Based on data from their internal review, CalTech has extended their moratorium on standardized test scores through the fall of 2025 and will no longer consider test scores in the admissions process. Conversely, MIT’s internal research demonstrated the need for test scores to be used in conjunction with a holistic review, to properly assess an applicant's preparedness to succeed given MIT’s curriculum. MIT requires students to complete a minimum of two semesters of calculus and two semesters of calculus-based physics regardless of their major. 

In addition to institutional policies based on internal research, the 2023-2024 admission cycle saw an increase in some state schools returning to requiring standardized test scores or considering test scores in specific cases such as below a certain GPA or for consideration for scholarships. For example, the University System of Georgia announced that they would continue the temporary test score waiver for schools not including the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia College & State University. 

The increase in both state and federal government oversight and involvement grew over the past year to include: a congressional hearing on antisemitism on the campuses of Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Pennsylvania; Department of Education investigations in response to alleged incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia; the North Carolina state legislature appointing board of directors; and proposed federal legislation introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) to ban legacy admissions. We anticipate that such oversight and proposed changes will continue through 2024 and will keep our readers abreast of any changes and their impact on students in the college application process.

Finally, the mental health of college students remains a priority for institutions across the country. Many schools are in the process of increasing access and resources for students who are struggling with issues ranging from anxiety and depression through substance abuse education and addiction counseling.

Weekly Update: December 19

As we head into the final weeks of December, emotions are running wild as our students have been learning their early application results! We’ve been anxious too!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

LEGACY ADMISSIONS – NOT JUST FOR THE MOST SELECTIVE SCHOOLS

The U.S. Department of Education released data this week on the number of colleges that give preference to applicants with legacy status. A new push to eliminate legacy admissions emerged after the Supreme Court’s decision on colleges’ use of race in admissions decisions this past June. In the 2022-2023 academic year, under 600 colleges and universities consider legacy status while making admissions decisions, with approximately two-thirds of those schools accepting more than 50 percent of applicants.

UVA ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF ACCESSUVA PROGRAM

UVA’s president announced the decision of the Board of Visitors to expand AccessUVA, the financial aid program to benefit more low- and middle-income students and families. The program was started in 2004 as a way to attract more applicants from diverse backgrounds. Students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less (previously $30,000 or less) will receive grants and scholarships to cover the cost of tuition, fees, room, and board. Families whose incomes are $100,000 or less will receive grant or scholarship aid equal to tuition and fees or more. And finally, families with annual incomes below $150,000 (an income increase from $125,000/year) will receive a minimum of $2,000 in grants. Additionally, UVA has set caps on the total students can borrow within each income bracket, both annually and cumulatively over their four undergraduate years at UVA.

VIRGINIA SENATOR TAKES THE LEAD IN REQUESTING FAFSA CLARIFICATION

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is part of a group of U.S. senators asking the Department of Education to provide “clear guidance and communication” regarding the implementation of the new FAFSA to students and their families. The Department of Education has announced that the FAFSA will be available by December 31, 2023, but the senators are asking for “an actual date.” Recent articles have suggested that once the new FAFSA is launched, there will be further delays in the time needed before the information will be sent to colleges and universities. This comes on the heels of the FAFSA calculation problems we discussed last week.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT BACKED BY BOARD

Fallout continues following the testimony of Harvard University President Claudine Gay before a U.S. House of Representatives hearing regarding increased incidents of antisemitism on campus. While there was a public cry for her resignation, both the Board of Overseers and the hundreds of faculty supported President Gay in continuing in her role. Since giving her testimony, President Gay has apologized for and clarified her remarks.

STUDENTS ARRESTED IN SIT-IN AT BROWN UNIVERSITY

At a sit-in at Brown University’s University Hall, 41 students were arrested and charged with trespassing. The action was organized by Brown Divest Coalition, a student group demanding that the university divest from companies that produce weapons and support a ceasefire in Gaza. More than two hundred additional students protesting outside the building on the Green were not arrested.

FCPS ANNOUNCES PLANNED OPIOID AWARENESS EVENT IN JANUARY

Earlier this year, Cayden Foster, a Centreville High School student, died from a fentanyl overdose. His parents have asked Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent, to share their story as part of a community conversation about opioid awareness. Please watch their story and join Dr. Reid at Edison High School at 6:30 p.m. on January 10 for this important conversation about opioid and drug use in Northern Virginia and Fairfax County. You can register using this link, though it is not required to register in advance. For more information and resources, visit FCPS’s website.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A year ago, the media was focused on the impact that ChatGPT and AI tools were going to have on the college essay and supplements. Now recent research from Stanford University shows that the hype and attention may have been over the top. The research analyzed surveys from over 40 high schools and found that 60 to 70 percent of students reported that they had recently cheated – about the same number as compared to last year, prior to ChatGPT. Pew Research Center surveyed over 1,400 adolescents in the U.S. and found that 32 percent reported having heard “nothing at all” about ChatGPT and another 44 percent had only heard “a little.” What we know from our essay work is that students who answer the prompt with highly specific, personal examples fare better in the admissions process!

Entrepreneur and Texas resident Elon Musk may try his hand at education. Reportedly, one of his charities’ tax filings indicates plans to use a $100 million gift from Musk to open a K through 12 school focused on STEM education. Once the school is operational, they will create a university to educate students in person and use technology to offer distance learning.

We mentioned two weeks ago that students might be avoiding Ivy League schools as a result of the anti-Semitism that has been rampant on their campuses since October 7. It turns out that we were on to something, because early applications to Harvard were down by 17%. And that’s not all - word on the street is that a lot of admitted Harvard students are, in fact, turning elsewhere - a theme emphasized in this New York Post article. Remember, Harvard has a restrictive early action program, so applicants are not obligated to enroll. Like I mentioned before, I think we will be seeing the consequences of this for a while.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

The level of stress we feel at this time of year can be pretty intense. Most people have one kid to worry about, but we have about forty! Whether we’ve been working with a student since seventh grade or just for a few months, we hold their hands every step of the way and become very emotionally invested in the outcomes.

We had a lot of good news - more than I was expecting given the circumstances relating to the Supreme Court ruling and all of the uncertainty associated with it - but some disappointing decisions too. And at the end of the day, I really believe that the kids who consistently work hard and make smart decisions will end up somewhere great. They don’t always get into their absolute top choice, but it will still be a happy outcome - it always is.

And with all of that behind us, we’re taking a much-deserved break! Some of us are working reduced hours this week, and then our office will be fully closed from Friday, December 22 through Monday, January 1.

We will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and restful winter break and a Happy New Year!

Interested in other Weekly Updates? Check out these recent posts!

Notable Common Application® Changes - 2023-2024 Edition

As we pore through the Common App® to capture all of the changes in the 2023-2024 application, I wanted to draw attention to a few in particular that stood out!

LaFAYETTE’S STANCE ON ACTIVITIES

I actually really admire this! Lafayette has made the decision to only review a student’s first six activities on the Common Application® instead of all ten. The idea is to be straightforward with students about their preference for quality over quantity when it comes to extracurricular involvement - they want students to be “deeply invested” in what matters most to them. While this is supposed to make things more equitable across income levels, and it will, I think this is really helpful for ALL students. I am so tired of watching teenagers feel overwhelmed and exhausted, doing things they don’t want to do, just so they can write them down on college applications. As a mom, it is painful to watch. I hope other schools follow Lafayette’s lead here!

---

NYU’S QUESTION ABOUT ASSISTANCE

NYU has added a question to their supplement about external guidance in the application process, and this threw everyone for a loop! As always, I would recommend being honest. There is nothing wrong with using an independent educational consultant - just as there’s nothing wrong with using an SAT tutor! However, I do think this is where it (really) helps to be using an organization that is vetted. NYU wants to make sure that the next Rick Singer isn’t running the show!

For what it’s worth, the counselors in our office are members of IECA - the Independent Educational Consultants Organization. We have an EXTREMELY strict code of ethics that goes well beyond expectations for most professionals in other industries. For example, we would never, ever accept any type of referral fee for directing a student to a third-party professional or organization, like an SAT tutor or summer program. Beyond agreeing to abide by this code of ethics, you can’t just sign up to become an IECA member - you have to qualify based on a certain number of college visits in recent years; professional references; experience; a certain number of students advised; and more. Because of this, colleges and universities have great relationships with IECA members - NYU itself held a private informational session just for IECA consultants! Anyway, I share all of this to point out that it’s important to let NYU know that you are working with an IECA member.

I would advise our clients to write something like this: “Because [I am the oldest child in my family/ my school does not provide individualized college guidance/ my parents are unfamiliar with the college admissions process today/ my parents didn't go to college in the United States/ etc] my parents and I felt that we could benefit from professional guidance with the college search and application process. I worked with Colleen Paparella, a professional member of IECA. Colleen and her team helped me narrow my college preferences to find the right fit; provided guidance on ways to determine which of my interests would translate to an intended major; advised me on course selection; and more. More recently, they helped review and edit my application materials. Every piece of information and aspect of my application is my own work, factually true, and honestly represented.”

---

SO MANY ESSAY PROMPT SHIFTS

Wow - there have been an incredible amount of changes when it comes to supplemental essays! Colleges are clearly trying to work within the boundaries set by the Supreme Court in order to get a sense of the ways that students have been shaped by their backgrounds. Harvard and William & Mary, in particular, are ones that stand out to me as very different this year!

---

LOTS OF AI/CHAT GPT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Institutions ranging from the College of Charleston to Georgia Tech (and plenty more!) have added snippets to their supplements about the use of AI to generate essay content. Stay away from this! Remember, even the “good” AI-generated essays are not actually good, because there’s no way for a student’s voice to come through! Plus - by sharing these types of cautionary messages in the applications, these schools are actually TELLING students that they are watching for this type of thing. And they are! Any attempt to get pass their filters is not going to be effective and will ruin years of your hard work. Do the right thing from the start and create your own content!

---

We’re still working our way through these applications, and we look forward to sharing more thoughts and guidance with our students in all of our August meetings!

Weekly Update: June 5

Good luck with finals for those of you taking them this week!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUNY ACCEPTS 125,000 STUDENTS

The State University of New York is sending out 125,000 acceptance letters to graduating high school seniors. No, they aren’t students who applied - the acceptances are automatic, with the goal of encouraging more high school seniors to enroll in college. We’ve discussed here before how the pandemic exacerbated a decline in enrollment that has been happening over the last decade, and this is the latest attempt by the SUNY system to enroll more students in local community colleges. 

GW JOINS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

The Association of American Universities, an invitation-only organization that comprises the country’s top research institutions, recently gained six new members - including GW. This expansion brings the AAU to its largest-ever membership of 71 schools, also welcoming Arizona State, the University of Miami, and Notre Dame. UC Riverside and the University of South Florida were admitted as well.

This prestigious organization was founded in 1900 by schools including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and UC Berkeley. 

VIRAL VIDEO LEADS TO FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP

Just a few months after going viral for his video response to his Morehouse College acceptance, Amir Staten got more good news - he was named one of Morehouse’s Bonner Scholars, earning a four-year full-ride scholarship. Morehouse College’s dean said that the selection panel had not seen the video before selecting Amir for the scholarship, though he was personally moved by the student’s excitement over attending Morehouse. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The rise of ChatGPT and other AI models has led to a lot of speculation about the future of the job market - and maybe we should be worried! Two University of Washington students recently won UW’s startup competition and $25,000 with their AI college counseling platform. The platform takes in data from students’ high school performance to offer advice on course selection, strategies for extracurricular activities, and help with the college search. Right now, the platform is maxed out at 30 users, as the college-student founders are doing some 1:1 counseling work themselves while they work on automating the entire process. This isn’t the first time a startup has tried to automate college counseling - for now, we think that a real-life counselor is the way to go! 

We are potentially just days away from the Supreme Court rendering a decision on the use of affirmative action in college admissions, and the expectation is that the conservative Court will abolish or limit affirmative action. We’ve seen a lot of articles speculating on what the ruling will ultimately mean for college admissions, including this one from David Brooks. He argues that the current admissions process creates an “elite” educated class, and that the race-based affirmative action programs at many schools should be replaced by class-based affirmative action in the admissions process. We will be eagerly awaiting the decision and tracking the impact it has on the admissions process moving forward.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

My top tips for parents who are sending their students off to college in the fall were featured in U.S. News’ Parents’ Guide to Freshman Year this week - the whole article is a great read if you are saying goodbye to your senior! While I know it can be challenging as a parent, sometimes the best thing you can do for your student is allow them to advocate for themselves and make mistakes - while always serving as a sounding board and supporter as they navigate this next step. 

Our juniors are starting to finalize their lists and several have moved onto early supplemental essay work! While we know that summer is busy for these students, we also know that they will be excited come senior year to have all of this work behind them. 

Have a great week - the last week of school for some of you!

Weekly Update: March 13

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

REGULAR DECISION NOTIFICATION DATES FOR CLASS OF 2027

It’s that time of the year! Colleges and universities across the U.S. are starting to release their regular decision notifications. College Kickstart is tracking regular decision notification dates for the class of 2027. We encourage high school seniors to bookmark this website, which is frequently updated. Good luck! 

BROWN UNIVERSITY DECIDES TO REMAIN TEST-OPTIONAL…FOR NOW

On Friday, Brown University announced that it will remain test-optional for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. This news comes just one week after Columbia University made headlines for its decision to go test-optional indefinitely. Brown plans to reevaluate its temporary testing policy again for the 2024-2025 cycle. Stay tuned! 

MORE UNIVERSITIES DROP OUT OF THE U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKINGS

Hot off the press! Bard College just announced that they are dropping out of the U.S. News and World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings. Bard is the third undergraduate institution to leave the rankings, following Colorado College and Rhode Island School of Design. 

YOUNG ADULTS REJECT COLLEGE AT ALARMING RATES

The numbers are in, and they aren’t so good for college enrollment! Since the beginning of the pandemic, college enrollment numbers have dropped at alarming rates. Young adults have adopted a more pragmatic approach to education, rejecting the traditional college model in favor of trade industries and alternative employment pathways. While these paths are helping students save money and develop a confident “do-it-yourself” attitude, experts worry that this trend could have dire effects on the economy, as well as industries that require degrees. However, young adults aren’t so worried, at least not for now. They are making strides toward the future “one step at a time.” 

FOUR UNIVERSITIES BLAST OFF INTO AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH FOR NASA

Students and faculty at Notre Dame, Boston University, Tennessee Technological University, and New Mexico State University just received an out-of-this-world opportunity. NASA recently selected teams at these four schools to conduct aeronautical research for the agency as part of its University Leadership Initiative. The diverse, multidisciplinary teams will contribute to some of NASA’s most prominent research goals, including infrastructure development and aircraft design. If you’re interested in learning more about each team’s research topic, click here.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

I’ve got a secret to share! No, actually make that ten secrets. Last week, I contributed to an article in U.S. News and World Report, revealing things you might not know about your college professors. For example, contrary to popular opinion, professors (even at big universities) can tell if you’re actually paying attention in class, and they can spot a bad excuse from a mile away. In order to make a good impression on your professors and develop strong relationships (and grades!), there are a few simple things you can do, from strategically choosing your seat to fact-checking your excuses. Click here to learn more about all ten secrets and tips for building rapport with your professors.

With inflation continuing to wreak havoc on the economy, families are more concerned than ever with finding ways to cut college costs. Surprisingly, some of the best ways to stretch your college tuition dollars are pretty simple–if you’re strategic and plan ahead. High schoolers can earn a hefty number of college credits for free by taking advantage of dual enrollment programs and/or advanced placement courses. Community colleges are also a great- but often underrated- resource to save money. Students can save thousands by attending a local community college and then transferring to a four-year college or university. There are also plenty of options for course sharing, which involves taking some community college classes during winter or summer breaks to offset the cost (and academic load) of a typical semester. 

I actually graduated a year early from college, so I can add a few tips here for others trying to do the same thing. At current tuition prices, this could save about $80k! (1) Take an extra class each semester. If your school is on a traditional 120-credit system and you take just one extra 3-credit course per semester, which is usually free to do, you will shave off a total of 18 credits by the end of your third year. (2)  Look for ways to pick up credit for things you would do anyway. In my case, I got 12 credits for internships I would have done anyway for resume purposes! I also got 9 credits worth of piano lessons, which was beyond easy and kind of a nice stress reliever too. 

Speaking of saving money, a huge controversy is brewing at Valparaiso University in Indiana. The school needs to update their aging dorms, and doesn’t have the funds to do it - so they are planning to sell several pieces of art for $10 million in order to fund the project. Not surprisingly, many professors are furious. Personally, though, I agree with the engineering professor quoted in the article: students should be prioritized. Money doesn’t grow on trees, and it’s not right to put kids in a room with single-pane windows during an Indiana winter. If they can sell the art to raise the money they need without cutting aspects of the undergraduate experience that would more directly impact students, I think this is an understandable solution. For what it’s worth, I had a really nice visit to Valparaiso back in 2019. I would absolutely recommend it as a great option for STEM or music-oriented students interested in a close-knit, smaller campus community.

With the birth of ChatGPT- a technology that can provide just about any answer or piece of writing that a student may need- those in the education world are asking a lot of questions. How will this technology change the nature of writing assignments? How will teachers catch cheaters? What updates will need to be made to plagiarism policies? While these questions represent legitimate academic concerns, Paul LeBlanc- president of Southern New Hampshire University- thinks we aren’t asking the right questions. Rather than concerning ourselves with the short-term effects on curriculum and assessment, we should be thinking about the bigger picture. How will this technology redefine knowledge? How do we teach students to use the technology, rather than allowing it to use us? LeBlanc believes that universities have a critical role to play in this paradigm shift. Schools need to prepare students to navigate technologies and provide a distinctly human touch on jobs that no algorithm can replace.

OFFICE HAPPENINGs

Are you looking to support your high school student AND a great cause? Then consider bidding on a DC College Counseling Strategy Session to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Our one-hour session will help your student kick off the college application process with a thorough analysis and action plan!

Rejected! How ChatGPT Destroys the College Admissions Essay

For months, those in the education world have been speculating about the dangers of ChatGPT- a new AI technology that can generate entire essays for students. Not only does ChatGPT pose threats to the classroom but also to the college admissions process. This past week, Beatrice Nolan at Business Insider decided to test the app and see exactly how it held up when it came to producing strong college admissions essays. Spoiler alert: it didn’t do well at all!

I was inspired by Nolan’s experiment and decided to play with ChatGPT myself. And what were my conclusions? I found that the app doesn’t just produce lackluster personal narratives. It downright destroys the college admissions essay! Here’s why.

ChatGPT strips away integrity

In one of my favorite holiday movies, Elf, the main character yells at the department store Santa Claus: “You sit on a throne of lies!” I can’t help but share his sentiment when it comes to AI-generated college admissions essays. The goal of the admissions essay is to share YOUR story, and the admissions committees expects YOU to write it. Commissioning an app to do it for you is a violation of academic integrity. And is that really the first impression you want to give a college or university? After all, ChatGPT is on everyone’s radar, and I can imagine that admissions committees will become pretty savvy at spotting human versus AI essays. 

Let’s also point out the obvious: a ChatGPT admissions essay is fictional. It can’t possibly capture your real experiences or feelings. To reinforce this point, I asked ChatGPT to write me an essay. Here’s the opening to my “personal” narrative:

I was 10 years old when I first saw the ocean. My family had decided to take a summer vacation to the coast, and I couldn't wait to see the vast expanse of blue water that I had only ever seen in pictures.

As we drove closer to the beach, I could feel the excitement building in my chest. Finally, we arrived at our rental house, and I ran out to the balcony to get my first glimpse of the ocean. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined, the waves crashing against the shore, the salty smell of the sea in the air….

Nice try, ChatGPT, but I never took a family vacation to the “coast” in fourth grade. The writing may be grammatically correct, but the story isn’t. Of course the admissions committee wouldn’t fact check my coastal vacation, and some might even argue that this is a harmless lie. But the false story IS harmful. It undermines the entire point of the personal essay: to give meaning to an experience in your life. The essay is the one piece of your application that truly makes you human, that shows the committee who you are beyond the numbers, the grades, and the list of activities. Plus, I have to wonder if the app is producing similar stories for anyone who asks the app to write them a personal essay. What if hundreds of applicants submit an essay on the same coastal vacation? That would spell disaster for those students!

ChatGPT can’t really answer the prompt

Contrary to popular belief, the college admissions essay isn’t a free-for-all. Most students apply to colleges through the Common App and will need to choose one topic from its list of seven essay prompts. While the prompts are rather broad- which gives students the freedom to tell a range of stories- they are specific in one regard: they require students to reflect on HOW an experience impacted them. In other words, the essay prompts are begging applicants to show their growth and emphasize their personal qualities. ChatGPT isn’t going to capture these layers of the prompts. And to prove it, I picked Common App essay prompt #2 and asked ChatGPT to write me “a personal essay on a challenge.” Here’s what the app produced:

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my life was overcoming my fear of public speaking. For as long as I can remember, I had always been terrified of standing up in front of a crowd and speaking. I would get shaky, my heart would race, and my mind would go blank.

The essay mostly detailed the day I supposedly overcame my fear of public speaking, but it didn’t tell the reader what I learned from the experience. So I decided to get more specific. “Write me a personal essay on a challenge and what I learned from it,” I commanded the app. 

It responded:

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my life was overcoming my fear of failure. For years, I had been afraid to take risks and try new things because I was scared of not succeeding. This fear of failure had held me back in many aspects of my life, and I knew that if I wanted to grow and succeed, I had to confront it head-on.

So, I decided to take a chance and apply for a competitive internship program at a prestigious company. I knew that the odds were against me, and that many talented and experienced applicants would be vying for the same position. But I also knew that if I didn't try, I would never know what I was capable of.

The application process was grueling. I had to fill out a detailed application, submit multiple essays, and go through several rounds of interviews. Every step of the way, I was plagued by doubts and fears. What if I wasn't good enough? What if I got rejected?

But I pushed through my fears and kept moving forward. I prepared as best I could for each interview and put my heart and soul into my essays. And finally, after what felt like an eternity, I received the news that I had been accepted into the program.

I was over the moon with excitement and relief. But more than that, I felt a deep sense of pride in myself. I had taken a risk, faced my fears, and come out the other side victorious.

Okay, so there are more details here but still no lesson. The reader has no idea what I learned or how I’ve grown as a result of that experience. It’s clear that while the app can pick up on keywords (like “challenges”) and effortlessly describe an event (albeit fictitious), it can’t begin to address the more reflective pieces of a college essay prompt. 

ChatGPT is void of personality

It’s no secret that college admissions have become increasingly competitive over the past few years. That means that a quality admissions essay, one that reeks of personality and an authentic voice, is more important than ever! ChatGPT simply cannot produce the level of quality necessary for an acceptance. From my own experimentation with the app, I can tell you that the responses are incredibly generic. How could they not be? Even though ChatGPT’s personal essays include details, they are cliche and void of actual human feeling. 

Even more problematic (at least to me as an English major) is the voice and style that’s lost in an AI-generated essay. It’s impossible to get a sense of an applicant’s personality or connect with the writer if the words aren’t their own. Case in point, this ChatGPT personal essay on a life-changing road trip:

As we hit the road, the excitement was palpable. We rolled down the windows and turned up the music, belting out our favorite tunes and chatting excitedly about the adventures to come. Our first stop was a small beach town on the coast, and we spent the afternoon soaking up the sun, swimming in the ocean, and indulging in some delicious seafood.

The next day, we drove inland to a national park, where we planned to hike and camp for a few days. The scenery was breathtaking - towering trees, rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. We hiked for hours, taking in the beauty of our surroundings and pushing ourselves to our limits. When we finally made it to our campsite, we were exhausted but elated.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly excited to read further. The details don’t make me feel like I’m really getting to know this reader. But maybe that’s just because I’m too distracted by cliche lines like “taking in the beauty of our surroundings.” Plus, I can’t help but wonder if there are any high school students who actually use words like “elated” and “palpable.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ultimately, ChatGPT destroys a lot more than the potential for a beautiful personal essay. It can lead to dangerous consequences for your college admissions chances, not to mention your integrity. And if you don’t believe me, just ask ChatGPT. In response to “should I write my own essay,” it replied: 

Writing your own essay can be a valuable learning experience, as it can help you develop your critical thinking, research, and writing skills. Additionally, it allows you to express your unique ideas and perspectives on a given topic.

However, if you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about how to approach a specific essay, seeking assistance can be beneficial. You can seek help from a tutor, a writing center, or even an online essay writing service. It's essential to ensure that any help you receive is ethical and that you maintain academic integrity…

If you’re in need of college essay writing assistance in the coming months, book a meeting with us. We have an entire staff of humans here at DC College Counseling who can help you produce an essay that is authentically you! 

Weekly Update: February 27

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUPREME COURT HEARING IS SET FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

Tuesday could be a big day for thousands with student loan debt. President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program will go before the Supreme Court. The program, which is estimated to cost $400 billion dollars, would offer up to $20,000 in debt cancellation for students who qualify. Some argue that the president does not have the authority to implement such a program. However, the Biden administration maintains the program is in line with the HEROES Act, which grants executive power to implement such a program during a national emergency- in this case, COVID-19. Although no announcements have been made, many speculate that the Supreme Court could release a decision by early summer, in which case, debt cancellations could be issued “fairly quickly.” 

CONTROVERSIAL AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE TO BE OFFERED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOLS

Fairfax County School District will pilot the controversial AP African American Studies course in three schools next year. Students at McLean, Centreville, and Westfield will have the opportunity to enroll. Currently, Virginia is one of four states reviewing the course that made national headlines in recent months.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER SCENE TO BE DEMOLISHED

The University of Idaho announced its plan on Friday to demolish the house where four students were brutally murdered in November. According to the school’s president, the owner of the home offered it to the university. Administrators then made the decision to demolish the house in an effort to promote healing and prevent sensationalizing the tragedy. To honor the four victims, the University of Idaho is establishing scholarship funds and an on-campus memorial garden.

SEVERAL COLLEGES PLAN TO CLOSE IN 2023

Recently, several colleges announced plans to close their doors at the end of the school year. Although application numbers are soaring at “name-brand” colleges, private universities without the name recognition are suffering. Since the pandemic began, enrollment numbers have dropped at these smaller schools, and economic uncertainty has weighed on endowment funds. Too, applicants are foregoing the high cost of private university tuition in favor of in-state institutions and alternative degree programs. For many, this is a concerning trend, especially since the number of university closures has quadrupled over the past decade. It is predicted that we will continue to see more closures in the near future.

MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY CUTS HUMANITIES MAJORS

Speaking of small schools, Marymount University in Northern Virginia announced its plans on Friday to address enrollment and financial concerns. The university will begin phasing out several majors, which have not been popular with students in recent years: art, English, history, mathematics, secondary education, sociology, theology and religious studies, and a BA program in economics. The goal, according to university officials, is to focus more on preparing students for “in-demand careers of the future.” Classes in these subject areas will continue to be offered, as the school insists they remain committed to educating the whole student.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSUES NEW SAFETY PLAN

Montgomery County School District (Maryland) released its new safety plan on Friday to address concerns over escalating behavior problems in school bathrooms. In an effort to curb drug use, threats, and vandalism, the district has organized immediate, short term, and long term plans. Most notably, the district will move forward with a bathroom monitoring strategy, a pilot program for student badges, and new staff training programs.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

In the 1970s, Title IX changed the face of college sports for women, opening a world of opportunity. In the process, it also opened up a world of elite international athletes at American colleges. Over the past forty years, female athletes from around the globe have flocked to U.S. colleges and universities, where they take part in academic and athletic programs that aren’t typically available in their home countries. While the advantages are obvious for these women, who oftentimes go on to become Olympic and/or professional athletes, some find their international presence on American campuses problematic. Some question whether U.S. schools should invest their resources in athletes who will ultimately compete under a different flag. Several coaches have responded by citing the pressures to form successful teams, regardless of an athlete’s origin. 

Chances are that if you’re the parent of a high schooler, you’ve probably retired the child’s bedtime routine. However, psychologist Lisa Damour believes there’s one bedtime habit parents of teenagers should definitely institute: let your child tuck you in! She believes it’s a powerful way to create important connections and conversations with high schoolers. Why? Well, teens aren’t always willing to chat at the dinner table, and many dread the “how was your day” question. Demour has found that teens are more inclined to talk with parents if they feel like they are steering the conversation and really being heard. That’s why she suggests creating a space for teens to chat at night when they feel a greater sense of independence over the exchange. It could be a tiring endeavor, but Demour insists it’s worth it for relationship-building and mental health.

Get ready for sticker shock! Stanford University recently announced a 7% tuition increase for the upcoming academic school year. Why such a sharp spike? Inflation! There is some good news, though. To combat the rising costs, the university plans to expand financial aid and raise minimum thresholds for support. Although Stanford’s increase is described as an “outlier,” experts say we can expect to see tuition increases in the 3-5% range at other schools. Many institutions froze tuition prices during the pandemic and are now trying to make up for COVID-related and inflation-induced losses. 

ChatGPT- a new technology that can produce large-scale pieces of writing for students- has been creating big problems for teachers over the past few months. And now it’s cause of concern for those in the college admissions world. Beatrice Nolan, a writer for Business Insider, decided to test ChatGPT’s ability to write a college admissions essay. Within minutes, she had three pieces of writing ready for her own “committee” to review. Two college admissions professionals carefully looked over the essays and drew some interesting conclusions. First, they felt the essays wouldn’t immediately be flagged as AI-generated. And the professionals did give credit to ChatGPT for directly answering the prompts, using sound grammar, and employing first-person narration. However, the responses wouldn’t hold up as part of an application for a highly selective school, they insisted. As one might predict, there was a lack of personal detail, and one expert believed the overall narrative was way too predictable. As for our opinion, we absolutely echo these experts’ rejection of the AI-induced college essay! This piece of writing is a chance to show off your unique voice and share a story that’s deeply meaningful to you. No technology can do that for you, nor should you want it to! 

Ahoy, Matey! That’s how students at California Polytechnic State University at Humboldt might be greeting their new roommates next year. In response to on-campus housing shortages, the university is considering renting a barge and turning the boat into a makeshift dorm. This creative semester at sea might seem fun, but some are worried about the dangers of young adults living on the water. And many don’t see this as a viable solution for a bigger housing problem. In a state where it’s notoriously difficult to find affordable housing, many California schools are trying to find new ways to accommodate students. Thus far, California Polytechnic State University hasn’t made any decisions yet, but just the talk of a boat dorm is leaving some students excited and others seasick.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We have been absolutely swamped with transfer apps in the lead-up to the 2/15 and 3/1 deadlines. And it’s on to the juniors now…. word on the street is that Common App will not be changing the essay topics for the Class of 2024! We are waiting to confirm that information tomorrow before clearing the way for our juniors to get started, but expect to send out essay instructions very soon.

Also, we found out that FCPS has released applications for the 2023 Student Representative to the School Board! Open to any 9th, 10th, or 11th grader in FCPS who lives in either Fairfax City or Fairfax County, this is a huge leadership role that would look phenomenal on any college application - plus, what a cool position! The first part of the application is due on March 17, so check it out!