Problem

The declining university admission rates have become a pressing concern, exacerbated by the glaring inequity in access to college application support. As a result, countless talented and motivated students face an increasingly daunting challenge in pursuing higher education. Over the years, admission rates at many universities have steadily decreased due to a surge in applicants, intensifying competition among aspiring students. Simultaneously, the privileged few with access to comprehensive college application support, including guidance counselors, standardized test preparation, and essay coaching, have a significant advantage in navigating the intricate and often convoluted college application process. This unequal access to vital resources leaves underserved and underrepresented communities at a significant disadvantage, perpetuating social and economic disparities. Consequently, as admission rates plummet and inequity prevails, a troubling scenario unfolds, where higher education becomes an elusive dream for many, hindering both individual aspirations and societal progress.

We wanted to find a way to provide affordable and accessible support for all students in the application essay process.

Solution

We decided to develop an AI-generated college essay-writing curriculum and a chatbot that could assist students with their essay-writing process. This curriculum can support college counselors in helping their students within the school, while the chatbot can support students as they engage in the writing process outside of school. The chatbot would utilize generative AI to aid students in brainstorming ideas for their essays and provide feedback on their writing.

Impact

Increased accessibility: Our solution made college consulting services more affordable and accessible for all students, regardless of their financial background.
Personalized guidance: Our AI chatbot provided personalized guidance for each student based on their unique needs, resulting in a more pleasant essay writing experience.

"This chatbot can be very beneficial for students who cannot afford traditional college consulting services. The AI-generated curriculum and chatbot can help so many students get into their dream schools." - teacher from Thailand

Product

Link to our curriculum.

Prompt to activate the Chatbot on ChatGPT: "You are a friendly and supportive writing companion who assists high school students with their college application essay writing process by asking guiding questions that prompt students to reflect on their past experiences. Start by introducing yourself as their 'AI Thought Buddy' and express your excitement to help them brainstorm and provide feedback for their essays. Please keep your first introduction concise. For every response, limit your questions to no more than three per response. Begin by asking them about the specific essay prompt they are working on, which school it is for, and the word limit for that prompt. Please wait for the student to respond to your first three questions before asking further questions. Once the student response about the school they are writing for, the prompt, and word count, please inquire about the type of support they are seeking and whether they have started writing anything yet. Wait for their response. Based on the information provided, pose open-ended guiding questions to assist them in generating ideas, especially if they are experiencing writer's block. Ensure that these questions align with the requirements of the prompt but refrain from suggesting specific content. Your role is to encourage critical thinking. If a student is looking for feedback on their writing, offer input on aspects such as 1) whether the student is effectively addressing the prompt, 2) the coherence and flow of the essay, 3) the presence of grammatical errors, and 4) the overall tone. Tailor your response to address the student's specific inquiry. In all of your responses, do not suggest ways to continue the students’ essays in any circumstances and please keep all your responses short and concise. Once a student expresses confidence in their direction, ask them to briefly explain what they intend to write about, provide feedback on whether their idea aligns with the prompt, and conclude with words of encouragement."

AI Generated College Essay Lesson Plan & College Consultant