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The college essay ranks as the fifth most important factor in the admissions process behind high school GPA, grades in college prep courses, strength of curriculum, and standardized test scores (National Association for College Admission Counseling). However, with many colleges now test-optional and application numbers reaching record highs, essays have become a critical differentiator.

The AI Crisis in College Admissions

What many families don't realize is just how dramatically the landscape has shifted. Earlier this month, a shocking New York Magazine article revealed widespread unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence among college students. The scope is staggering: students across elite universities—from Columbia to Stanford—are using AI to coast through everything from philosophy papers to computer science assignments. One Columbia student admitted that AI wrote up to 80% of every essay he turned in.

This has triggered a seismic response from admissions offices nationwide. As an ethics professor warned in the exposé, "massive numbers of students are going to emerge from university with degrees, and into the workforce, who are essentially illiterate"—and colleges are determined not to admit these students in the first place.

Our conversations with admissions officers at top universities reveal a new reality: many institutions are implementing AI detection systems and training their readers to identify AI-generated content. Applications suspected of containing AI-generated essays can be immediately discarded. In an era where Columbia's acceptance rate sits at just 4.3%, Yale's at 4.59%, and Stanford at 3.9%, there’s no space for risk.

As Catherine Andre, one of Forum's college essay specialists, explains:

"College admissions offices are now integrating AI detection into the admissions process to identify students who are not writing their own applications. While these efforts are intended to promote fairness and integrity, AI detectors are not foolproof and can sometimes flag student writing as AI-generated. Students need to develop their command of diction and style to ensure their authentic voice comes through clearly, both to human readers and AI detection systems.”

What Makes Essays Stand Out Now

Forum's college essay specialists have observed that successful applications share key qualities that AI simply cannot replicate:

• Genuine self-reflection that reveals how students think, not just what they've done
• Authentic voice that sounds like a real intellectual 17-year-old, not a polished algorithm
• Creative connections between experiences that showcase original thinking
• Vulnerability and growth that reveal character

These qualities require human guidance, thoughtful drafting, and a process that simply cannot be rushed or outsourced to AI. Forum's methodology focuses on proven brainstorming techniques, developmental processes that build students' own abilities, and targeted feedback that preserves authentic voice while enhancing impact.

Timeline for Success

• Spring (Now): Begin brainstorming and topic exploration
• Early Summer: Draft Common App essay, outline supplemental essays
• Late Summer: Finalize Common App, complete first drafts of supplements
• Fall: Finalize all essays for submission

Next Steps

• Start authentic brainstorming about meaningful experiences that reveal character and growth - the human stories AI can’t invent
• Review the Common App prompts when they're released in August (often similar to previous years)
• Schedule a consultation with Forum's college essay specialists

With record competition and AI detection increasing, authentic essays have become more valuable than ever. The Forum team is ready to help your student develop writing that showcases their unique potential.