Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are becoming a routine part of the college admissions process—for students and, increasingly, for admissions offices themselves. Some colleges, like UNC Chapel Hill, now use AI to score writing quality before a human ever reads an essay. Others, like Duke, have stopped assigning numerical scores to essays entirely, choosing to evaluate them as part of a more holistic review. In this changing landscape, one question keeps coming up for both students and parents: can a chatbot write a better college essay than a student? The short answer is no. And that’s a good thing. 

For years, May 1—College Decision Day—was the final buzzer in the college admissions process. Students submitted their deposits, posted their decisions on Instagram, and turned their focus to graduation and move-in day. But in 2025, the buzzer sounded—and the game kept going. This year, college admissions has gone into overtime.

When it comes to preparing for college, summer doesn’t need to be expensive to be impactful. In fact, many of the most powerful growth opportunities are free. Whether it’s volunteering, launching a creative project, or taking on a self-directed learning experience, what matters most is how a student engages with the experience. A thoughtfully chosen summer activity can help a student discover their interests and clarify what they might want to study in college. It can also provide the kind of story colleges remember—one that shows curiosity, initiative, and heart.

When it comes to college application essays, there's a lot of speculation and misinformation out there. High school students often agonize over their essays, trying to craft the perfect piece that will magically win over admissions officers and secure their spot at their dream school. But the reality of how admissions officers actually evaluate essays may be quite different from what many students and parents expect. In this post, we'll debunk five of the most common myths about what college admissions officers look for in application essays.

For many families, the Common Application marks the beginning of a high-stakes journey—the college admissions process. And while the platform has long promised to make applying to college more streamlined, the truth is that navigating it can still feel overwhelming, especially when things change. This year, there are several important updates coming to the Common App that parents of rising seniors should know about. Some will make the process easier and more intuitive for students. Others may catch families off guard if they aren’t paying close attention. Here’s what’s changing—and what it means for your teen.