The New Rules of the College Essay in the Age of AI: Authenticity, Empathy, and Service Learning
BOSTON, Sept. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As college application season kicks into gear, students are once again being warned to steer clear of the “life-changing service trip” essay—often seen as one of the most overused and least effective college essay topics.
But new research and expert insights suggest a different story. When done well, service learning can offer students strong material for authentic essays—especially in the age of AI.
New research from School the World, a nonprofit leading immersive service learning for over a decade, offers fresh insight into the impact of these trips. A qualitative study conducted with Universidad del Valle de Guatemala included interviews with students, parents, and community members across several countries. Student reflections revealed recurring themes of cultural humility, leadership growth, and a deeper understanding of educational inequality.
Still, experts agree: not every service trip leads to an essay worth reading.
“There’s a difference between simply going on a trip and actually growing from it,” says Robin Freed, a veteran college admissions expert and premier counselor at IvyWise. “The topic of a service trip is often dismissed as overdone, but that’s an oversimplification. It’s not the trip itself that makes an essay fall flat, but the lack of reflection—admissions officers aren’t moved by generic stories about helping others. When students write with authenticity and connect the experience to their personal growth, identity, or values, even a common topic can become powerful and memorable.”
School the World’s model focuses on deep student engagement and long-term community partnership. Their service learning participants fundraise to build classrooms and mix cement shoulder-to-shoulder with local families. These shared efforts, coupled with facilitated reflection, help students move beyond the surface to consider their values, privilege, and purpose.
“We’ve always designed our programs to foster meaningful contribution and long-term perspective,” says Kate Curran, Founder and CEO of School the World. “The most compelling essays come from students who worked with communities, not just in them—and who took time to reflect on what those moments meant.”
As AI-generated content becomes more common in the college admissions process, authentic student voices will stand out. IvyWise’s Freed encourages students to ensure that their service learning essays have certain qualities to be impactful and stand out:
- It goes beyond the obvious: Students avoid the “I saw poverty for the first time” cliché.
- It’s rooted in one powerful moment: A funny, awkward, or emotional experience that reveals character.
- It connects the dots: From the trip to future action—at home, in school, or in life.
- It’s human: Humility, surprise, and even humor help students sound like themselves.
For families evaluating service learning experiences for students, experts encourage asking key questions: How does the organization sustain its work in the community? Are students contributing something of value? How are they working with local partners?
“After more than a decade, we regularly hear from students like Gabriela, who traveled with us in high school and found that the experience shaped her academic and professional journey,” explains Curran. “She went on to study international relations, joined Teach for America, and is now entering law school with the goal of pursuing a career in education justice.”
Whether abroad or local, well-designed service learning offers students more than just something to write about. It gives them a clearer sense of the person they’re becoming.
For more information on our Student Service Learning programs, visit schooltheworld.org/student-service-learning.
Media Contact: Lara Hoyem COO, School the World lara.hoyem@schooltheworld.org 617-867-9500
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