The Truth about College Admission The Truth About AI and Essay Reading - Juan Espinoza
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Sep 16, 2025 
Juan Espinoza, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Virginia Tech, discusses the integration of AI in college essay reviews. He explains how this technology helps speed up the admissions process while maintaining quality. Juan emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in essays, advising students to stay true to themselves. He also highlights the continuous monitoring of the AI system and the significant role humans still play in admissions decisions. Lastly, he shares tips for students to focus on genuine interests while writing.
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Summer Road Trip Through Iowa
- Juan shared a summer road trip where his wife is visiting all 50 states and they explored Iowa's State Fair.
- They biked, hiked, and stayed at the American Pickers guest house as part of the trip.
Essays Reveal The Student Beyond Grades
- Essays let universities hear a student's story when academic metrics look similar across applicants.
- Virginia Tech uses short, targeted supplements to assess non-cognitive traits tied to long-term success.
Grade Inflation Raises Essay Stakes
- Grade inflation and weighted GPAs compress academic differentiation, increasing essay importance.
- Short, targeted essay prompts help distinguish applicants beyond inflated academic metrics.