Since I always have new readers, I share this article every year. It is my favorite -I love reading words of wisdom from the masters of admissions. However, this year I added a new piece of advice about AI.

Selecting a college essay topic can become the most challenging aspect of the application process. Students often search for the perfect topic that is not cliché, while feeling pressure to create a fascinating story that has never been told before. The truth is, all stories have been told before: the comeback after a basketball injury, the mission trip that changed your life, the patience you showed while vacationing with 30 family members in a small cabin with one bathroom. The lesson is that there is no one unique topic - they have all been done.

Does this mean you should settle for mediocrity? No. It does mean that you need to differentiate yourself by finding YOUR voice, making sure it is heard, and unveiling the fantastic and authentic YOU in your story.

Here are a few tips from the masters.

AI does not make you authentic.

"...I guarantee that any essay one writes with the help of AI is not going to be nearly as good or authentic as one that an applicant composes on their own. And, remember, we're trying to build a community of learners who will contribute to the academic and social fabric here, so we count on authenticity in the application. Also, you are asked to sign off on your application verifying that the work is yours alone." Karen Richardson, Dean of Admission at Princeton.

Just make sure that the story you're telling is uniquely YOURS.

"I believe everyone has a story worth telling. Don't feel like you have to have had a huge, life-changing, drama-filled experience. Sometimes the seemingly smallest moments lead us to the biggest breakthroughs." Maggie Schuh, high school English teacher in St. Louis.

Tell a good story.

"Most people prefer reading a good story over anything else. So... tell a great story in your essay. Worry less about providing as many details about you as possible and more about captivating the reader's attention inside of a great narrative. I read a great essay this year where an applicant walked me through the steps of meditation and how your body responds to it. Loved it." Jeff Schiffman, Director of Admissions at Tulane University

Write like a journalist.

"The first few sentences must capture the reader's attention, provide a gist of the story, and give a sense of where the essay is heading. Think about any article you've read - how do you decide to read it? You read the first few sentences and then decide. The same goes for college essays. A strong lead will place your reader in the "accept" mindset from the beginning of the essay. A weak lead will have your reader thinking "reject" - a mindset from which it's nearly impossible to recover." Brad Schiller, MIT graduate and CEO of Prompt

Write like you speak.

"You should use words and phrases that you would actually use in everyday conversation. The most meaningful essays are those where I feel like the student is sitting next to me, just talking to me". Kim Struglinski, admissions counselor from Vanderbilt University.

Read it aloud.

"Reading your essay aloud is the best way to corroborate that your essay is revealing your voice. Do you feel the emotions? Is it a good story? Is the reader learning something valuable about you? And, will the admission reader say 'yes, I can see this student making a difference at our college'?" Tracy Sullivan & Maryline Michel Kulewicz, College 101 Admission Consultants

There are so many admission resources out there. I really enjoy reading Rick Clark's Georgia Tech Admission Blog. He is knowledgeable, honest, and tells an engaging story. Hint: elements of a good essay!

The college tips were paraphrased from College Essay Guys's "35+ Best College Essay Tips from College Application Experts" plus "Navigating College Applications with AI: What Colleges Say + CEG's Advice to Students and Counselors."

College 101 Admissions Consultants LLC. Website: . Email: . Phone: 508-380-3845.

College 101 Admissions Consultants LLC. Website:. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 508-380-3845.