Harvard Admissions Officer Shares How to Showcase an Inspirit AI Project in College Applications
In the increasingly competitive landscape of college admissions, high school students need every advantage to stand out. For this reason, Inspirit AI offers high school students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of AI and build a unique AI project that showcases their skills and creativity. Developed and taught by graduate students from Stanford and MIT, the Inspirit AI Scholars program equips students with fundamental AI coding skills and provides them with a platform to demonstrate their talents in a way that captivates college admissions officers.
Justin Neiman, a former Harvard admissions officer, gave a webinar on how the Inspirit AI program helps bolster students’ college applications. From showcasing an AI research project to guidance from top university mentors to college and career workshops—there are so many resources available to high school students in the AI Scholars program. In this blog post, we are sharing how Inspirit AI helps high school students succeed in the college admissions process.
Stand Out In College Admissions with an AI Research Project
In today's digital age, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries, making it one of the most sought-after fields of study. For high school students, the opportunity to build an AI research project is not just impressive—it’s a game-changer. Completing a robust AI project as a high schooler demonstrates a student’s ability to tackle complex problems, think critically, and apply cutting-edge technology to real-world issues. These are precisely the kinds of qualities that college admissions committees look for in applicants.
By showcasing an AI project on their college applications, students can significantly differentiate themselves from other candidates, highlighting their initiative, intellectual curiosity, and readiness to engage with challenging material at the university level.
In a recent webinar, Justin Neiman, former Harvard University admissions officer, discussed the importance of including a research project on a college application. Independent research demonstrates intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, scholarly interests, and more—all traits that colleges are invested in! Watch a recording of the webinar below to learn how Inspirit AI helps high school students succeed in the college admissions process.
Comprehensive College and Career Workshops
Beyond the technical skills, Inspirit AI understands the importance of preparing students for the college admissions process itself. That’s why the program includes a dedicated college and career workshop as part of its curriculum. This workshop offer students valuable insights into the college admissions process, including detailed reviews of successful admissions essays.
By analyzing what makes an essay compelling, high school students can apply these learnings to their own applications, crafting essays that resonate with their personal narratives and academic goals. This holistic approach ensures that students are not only technically prepared but also strategically equipped to present themselves in the best possible light to admissions committees. Through this preparation, Inspirit AI helps high school students prepare for a successful admissions process at top CS/AI programs at colleges and universities.
“[AI Scholars] has affected my journey because in the process of applying for competitive schools, I believe this program put my application at a competitive advantage. I think it helped me be comfortable with being uncomfortable and trying new fields of STEM that I may not have been particularly comfortable with.”
Guidance from Top University Mentors
One of the standout features of Inspirit AI is the mentorship provided by alumni and graduate students from top universities like Stanford and MIT. These mentors are not just instructors; they are guides who help students navigate both the technical aspects of AI and broader questions about academic and career planning through in-session workshops. The close interaction with these accomplished mentors also gives high schoolers a glimpse into the world of top-tier universities, helping them set ambitious goals and understand what it takes to achieve them.
Additionally, learning from instructors at top universities can be incredibly inspiring and motivating for high schoolers. These instructors bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for their subjects, which can ignite a similar enthusiasm in students. The opportunity to interact with experts who are at the forefront of their fields gives high schoolers a glimpse into the world of higher education and research, encouraging them to set ambitious goals and strive for academic excellence.
By providing high school students with guidance from top university mentors, Inspirit AI helps set students up for success in the college application process.
A Dynamic Learning Environment and a Strong Peer Network
Inspirit AI fosters a dynamic learning environment where students collaborate, problem-solve, and innovate together. This collaborative atmosphere not only enhances learning but also helps high schoolers build a network of like-minded peers who are equally passionate about technology and innovation. This network can be a powerful resource, offering support and inspiration as students continue their academic journeys. Additionally, the connections made during the program can last well beyond the bootcamp, potentially leading to future collaborations and opportunities in the tech world.
In addition to the high-quality instruction and mentorship that happens during the program, Inspirit AI Scholars also provides high school students with access to a network of like-minded peers and professionals upon completion. This network, called the AI Ambassadors program, can open doors to future opportunities, whether it's through collaborative projects, internships, or even college recommendations.
Inspirit AI Scholars alums receive access to talks on the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, such as generative AI, as well as college and career guidance. Hear from Inspirit AI alumni about their perspectives on how the AI Scholars program—including the dynamic learning environment—has impacted their college and career journeys.
Preparing Students for Rigorous CS/AI Classes in College
The Inspirit AI course material is specifically designed to prepare high school students for rigorous computer science and AI programs in college. By introducing fundamental concepts and hands-on coding experience, students build a strong foundation in these critical areas, making them well-prepared for the challenges of college-level coursework. The curriculum's focus on real-world applications also ensures that students can connect theoretical knowledge to practical problem-solving, a key skill in higher education and beyond.
“I mentioned Inspirit AI in my college essays, which really tailored my application to the fields I was interested in...Inspirit AI has made for interesting conversation during internship interviews. The experience is pertinent to the positions I have applied for.”
How Inspirit AI Helps Students Succeed in the College Admissions Process
In summary, Inspirit AI provides a unique blend of technical training, college admissions support, and mentorship, all of which are crucial in helping students succeed in the college admissions process. By building an impressive AI project, gaining insights from college and career workshops, and benefiting from the guidance of top university mentors, students are well-equipped to not only apply to college but to thrive once they get there.
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
