The process of brainstorming and writing a personal statement for college applications holds value beyond the final essay. For students, it’s an opportunity to pause and reflect: Who am I in addition to what I’ve accomplished? What do I want to communicate that isn’t already in my application? As an essay counselor, I encourage my students to focus on more meaningful truths about themselves instead of just test scores and resumes.
Of course, it’s no secret that the widespread popularity of AI has impacted almost every aspect of education, including the college application process. I spoke to Susan Knoppow, the co-founder and CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, and she offered a refreshingly optimistic perspective on AI in this context. She told me that students must ultimately do the heavy lifting of thinking and writing themselves, and AI can’t accomplish that on its own.
While AI tools can assist with grammar or structure, they cannot think, reflect, or synthesize personal meaning. They rely on preexisting data and lack the emotional intelligence to shape a story that resonates on a human level. Recognizing this limitation is an important part of media literacy, especially as students navigate new digital tools in their writing.
Students may turn to AI because they feel it is the easiest approach. However, writing a personal statement doesn’t have to be an excruciating chore. It can be approached as a series of what Knoppow calls “thinking tasks,” which feel smaller and more manageable. These include reflecting on meaningful experiences, identifying a specific story in which to anchor the essay, and articulating why that story captures something essential about one’s identity or growth. An effective essay starts with a well-conceived idea: something personal, authentic, and revealing. The strength of this foundation matters. “It’s hard to edit your way out of a poorly-conceived idea,” Knoppow points out.
In this process, counselors play a crucial role—not as editors rewriting student voices, but as reviewers who guide, ask questions, and encourage reflection and clarity. Ultimately, the personal statement is more than a college essay. It’s an exercise in voice, agency, and vulnerability. The willingness to confront one’s story with honesty is what makes the process transformative.
It’s also important to keep in mind that these essays will be read by admissions officers who are eager to identify what makes each student unique and a good fit for their college.
Advisors should remind students that they are more unique than anything that AI can produce. This process of introspection is beneficial for students as people and beneficial to their essays because it results in a more compelling application.