Let’s address the elephant in the room: AI has become impossible to ignore! Families consistently asked me about it. How are colleges using AI? Can students use ChatGPT to generate ideas? What is actually allowed? Behind the scenes, colleges are incorporating AI into every aspect of admissions. Chatbots handle routine questions. Systems flag applications. Tools scan for writing that may not be authentic.

I ran my own experiments this year. I found that AI detection software is unreliable in catching essays that were actually written by AI. And when I tested AI for college recommendations, male and female applicants received different college lists. This raises serious questions about bias.

In addition, most colleges lack clear policies about acceptable AI use. Students need guidance, not vague references to academic integrity.

A significant portion of my work centered on the UC system. With nine campuses and almost 250,000 students applying, the UC represents both opportunity and complexity. I wrote about UC acceptance rates, application insights, and how to create your best application strategy.

To help students navigating college applications on their own, I created three UC-specific tools: The A–G GPA Calculator helps students determine their UC GPA. The PIQ Workshop provides structure for writing the Personal Insight Questions. And the UCSD College Quiz helps students rank the eight residential UCSD colleges.

Over the years, I emphasized this time and time again: rankings tell an incomplete story. Students thrive when they pick schools that align with their academic interests, learning style, campus environment, and financial reality. Particularly, financials and ROI surfaced repeatedly. Is this school worth the cost? What level of debt are we considering? What do graduates actually earn?

I created the Pocket Campus Tracker as a structured tool to help students identify their best-fit colleges. It organizes what matters during campus tours and research: academics, campus culture, financial considerations, and specific details that will strengthen "Why Us?" essays later. The tracker ensures important details don't get lost in the noise.

In addition, my book continues to help students and families worldwide make sense of college applications.

Standardized testing was a major storyline in 2025. Both the SAT and ACT went fully digital. Multiple highly selective institutions reinstated testing requirements: Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and MIT brought back testing. This is no longer a philosophical debate. It is the reality. If you want to apply to certain schools, you will need scores. I expect that trend will only strengthen next year.

The themes that shaped my work this year will continue to matter: AI, affordability, best fit, and standardized testing. If anything, they will become more important.

I work with students from many backgrounds, including domestic, international, and first-generation students. Some families face financial constraints that make college guidance feel out of reach. Through my pro bono work at local California high schools and the Matchlighters Program (by the College Essay Guy), I put this belief into practice: access to support shouldn't depend on the ability to pay. That belief drives my work. I hope the resources I am building continue to serve you and your family well as we move into 2026. 

Wishing you and your family a successful and fulfilling year ahead!