How to Use AI for Writing Scholarship Essays: Insider Tips from Reviewers

Navigating the scholarship application process can be overwhelming, especially when facing multiple essays with tight deadlines. With the rise of AI models like ChatGPT, many students are wondering if and how they should use this technology to write their applications.

The drawbacks of using AI in scholarship applications

At the Community Foundation, we manage more than 75 scholarship funds. This involves reviewing thousands of essays annually. Thankfully, I have a team of committee members to help, and they have a bit of AI advice for applicants.

Last year, scholarship committee members saw an increase in essays featuring similar word choice, generic responses and uninspired structure—all telltale signs of computer-generated writing. Our reviewers also said the authentic essays stood out from the crowd.

So, while we encourage students to be resourceful and learn new tools, AI isn’t a replacement for writing your own essay. It’s a useful tool for specific parts of the process though. Now let’s dive into the strengths and weaknesses of using AI when writing personal essays.

The Dos and Don’ts of using AI for scholarship applications

I already covered how using AI to apply for scholarships can harm your chances. But our reviewers also know the struggle of staring at a blank page. Don’t stress. Read the tips below and see our list of sample prompts to begin writing AI-assisted scholarship essays that will still earn you high marks. 

Do use AI to…

…understand what a prompt is asking. We tell applicants the purpose of every question on our Insight Resume, but not every scholarship provider is as transparent. AI can help you analyze what a prompt is intended to uncover or measure. 

…enhance your brainstorming process. Tell ChatGPT you need help brainstorming ideas for personal essays. It can help you get started on a few exercises, including options like Memory Mining, Core Values Discovery and Question-Driven Exploration.

…edit for spelling, grammar and brevity. Scanning large amounts of text to identify typos and grammar issues is where AI excels. The tech can also simplify writing to fit a specific length or improve readability. 

Don’t use AI to…

…write an outline or essay. Many institutions consider this an unethical use of AI. Some providers have already incorporated processes to identify and ding applicants who outsource writing to AI for the reasons we touched on above. 

…suggest responses to prompts. For reasons similar to the above statement, ideas you create and stories you’ve lived should form the foundation of any personal essay.

…provide a final review. The goal is to showcase your voice and viewpoint, so don’t rely on a machine for a final edit. Ask a couple of people—teachers, classmates or mentors—to edit and provide feedback.

…analyze your life story. Every AI platform has terms and conditions. Read them carefully! You may find that the company has ownership over the data you submit, so don’t tell it anything you want kept private.

Ultimately, you should treat AI as a collaborator not your personal writer or editor. Use its suggestions as ideas to remix and refine into an original essay. At the end of the day, we want to know you and not AI's impression of you.

If you’re questioning whether you’re using AI appropriately, ask if it would be ethical to have a human perform the same task. For instance, can a classmate review your essay for errors? Of course! Could that same classmate draft the entire essay for you? Absolutely not.

Why writing essays with (or without) AI is important

Writing is thinking, so there is no greater skill to hone as a student. Beyond campuses and classrooms, writing is also one of the top ranked skills in the job market. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 73.4% of employers want a candidate with strong written communication skills.

Scholarship essays aren't just about academics; they're investments in your future. So, exercise your writing muscles often, including using the AI guidance above. As you do, you’ll identify the values and experiences that shape your point of view, making your next essay easier and easier to write.

Start small, be patient with yourself and remember that your most powerful asset is your own lived experience. Ready to begin? Grab a notebook, open a document and start putting words to paper. Your scholarship—and your future—await.