At Olin, we are looking for students who share our values of “engineering for everyone.”
Our unique, two-phase application process helps us to identify students who will benefit from and contribute to our tight-knit college community and, ultimately, use their engineering education to make the world a better place. This means that getting to know you, how you think, what you care about and hope for is crucial to us. A primary way we accomplish this is through the college essay portion of your application.
The essays are a key component of the Olin application. Both the Common App prompt and the Olin specific essays provide the Admission Committee with insight into your desire for an engineering education and, more specifically, your understanding of the Olin experience. Your authentic voice should be represented in your application essays, and the reliance on AI, especially models like ChatGPT, will result in writing that is not authentically yours in voice, tone, or nuance. Copying and pasting directly from an AI generator is not permitted.
Tools for the review of the grammar and spelling in your Olin essays are examples of acceptable uses of AI. You may also use AI models for brainstorming or other initial research of either Olin or your essay topics. In short, consider how a parent, teacher, counselor, or other trusted adult might support you in writing your college application essays. They could meet with you to brainstorm ideas, help you clarify the details of your topic, or review a draft for grammar. It is acceptable to use AI tools in a comparable way when preparing your application to Olin College.
As you are drafting your essays for your Olin application, please remember that the things that make you – well, you! – are important. Your essays are your own voice in your application. Make sure you use them well. We are looking forward to reading them!