Using AI With Your WISE Admissions Playbook ™

This course includes optional AI Projects for each of the nine milestones. These are meant to help you think more clearly, organize your ideas, and turn your completed worksheets into plans and drafts—not to replace your own work.

You can use any general‑purpose AI writing/brainstorming tool. The basic process is the same.

When to Use the AI Projects

• Complete the worksheets and exercises for a milestone first.
• Once you’ve done your thinking on paper, open your AI tool.
• Copy‑and‑paste the AI Project prompt for that milestone from the course.
• Upload or paste your completed worksheets and notes when the prompt asks you to.

Think of AI as a smart organizer and coach that helps you see patterns and structure your ideas—not as an answer machine, or as a shortcut for your own thoughtful work.

How to Use the Prompts (Step‑by‑Step)

1. Finish the milestone work first

• • Fill out the relevant worksheets (for example, Ideal College, Identity Map, Activities Planning, etc.).
  • Don’t worry if your answers are messy, bulleted, or imperfect.

1. Open your AI tool in a separate tab

• • You can use a web‑based AI assistant that accepts text and file uploads.
  • Make sure you’re signed in if needed.

1. Copy the exact AI Project prompt

• • Go to the milestone’s “AI Project” section.
  • Highlight and copy the full prompt text (everything inside the quotation marks, if it’s presented that way).

1. Paste the prompt into the AI tool

• • Paste the full prompt into the chat box.
  • Do not edit the instructions at first; you can customize later once you’re comfortable.

1. Upload or paste your worksheets

• • If the tool allows uploads: attach the specific worksheets the prompt mentions (for example, “Academic Interest Worksheet,” “Initial Research List,” “Activity List Drafting Worksheet”).
  • If you can’t upload files: copy the text from your worksheets and paste it below the prompt. Label each section clearly (e.g., “Identity Map:”, “Design Your Ideal College:”).

1. Run the prompt and wait for the output

• • Let the tool generate its response.
  • You should see organized sections (for example: “Fit Criteria Checklist,” “Academic Snapshot,” “Story Arcs,” etc.).

1. Review and mark up the AI output

• • Print or save the output.
  • Highlight parts that feel true and useful.
  • Cross out or edit anything that doesn’t sound like you or doesn’t match your actual experience.
  • Add your own notes in the margins.

1. Bring it back into your Playbook work

• • Use the AI output as a draft or planning tool, not a final product.
  • Transfer the best ideas into your activity list drafts, college list, essay outlines, calendar, and other course worksheets.

Ethics and Guardrails: Keeping the Work Yours

To get the benefits of AI without losing your voice or honesty, follow these guardrails:

• You must do the thinking first
  • Always complete the worksheets before using AI.
  • If you feel tempted to let AI fill a worksheet for you, stop and come back after you’ve written your own thoughts.
• No invented achievements or experiences
  • Never ask AI to “make me sound more impressive” or to add activities, awards, or roles you don’t actually have.
  • If the AI suggests something that isn’t true, delete it.
• Keep your voice
  • If the AI output sounds like a corporate brochure or a robot, rewrite it in your own tone.
  • You can think of the AI’s text as a rough outline and then re‑phrase it in your words.
• AI can brainstorm, but you decide
  • You are the editor and final decision‑maker.
  • If an AI suggestion doesn’t feel right, you can ignore it.
• Don’t paste AI text straight into applications
  • Use AI to help you outline, organize, and revise.
  • When you write essays and short answers, make sure you are the main author: drafting, revising, and polishing in your own language.

A simple test: if someone who knows you well read your essay or activity list, would they say, “Yes, that sounds like you”? If not, revise until the answer is yes.

How Each Milestone’s AI Project Helps You

Here’s what the AI projects are mainly for, in plain language:

• Milestone 1 – Decide What You Want
  Turn your self‑reflection into a clear picture of who you are and what you want from college.
• Milestone 2 – Optimize Academics and Testing
  Turn your course plan and testing plans into an academic story and a realistic testing strategy.
• Milestone 3 – Build Your List
  Turn your research into a balanced list of colleges with clear reasons for each.
• Milestone 4 – Activities That Stand Apart
  Turn your current and future activities into a roadmap and ideas for more impact.
• Milestone 5 – Writing Excellent Applications
  Turn your activity list and brag sheet into strong descriptions and a recommender plan.
• Milestone 6 – Write Compelling Essays
  Turn your brainstorming into essay storylines, outlines, and ethical reuse ideas for supplements.
• Milestone 7 – Early Applications and Strategy
  Turn your strategy and calendar into a realistic application plan and weekly check‑in.
• Milestone 8 – Financial Aid and Scholarships
  Turn your checklist and resource notes into a personalized action plan and key questions.
• Milestone 9 – Acing the Final Test
  Turn your checkers and comparison tools into a final submission checklist and decision reflection.

You are not required to use the AI projects, but they can make your planning, organizing, and revising faster and clearer—as long as you stay honest and keep your voice at the center.