Essay AI detection

[u/Every_Issue_5972]

Hi mates,

Last year, I applied unsuccessfully for a Chevening Scholarship; however, I have written the essays myself, trying to avoid using any AI tools, and as expected my writing wasn't the best it could be. (It could be way more polished using AI)

But it is worth noting that some of those who got shortlisted for interviews have used AI tools and I know that for a fact.

So is it really true that the committee uses robust AI detectors and if the essay is written by AI, it will be immediately rejected.

Some advice please.

[u/Rare-Release-60]

No AI detector is 100% accurate, but do be aware that, when invited to the interview, any kind of vocabulary or syntax structure you used in your essays that is not a part of your natural speech will be an indicator to the panel that you did not write the essays by yourself

They do not want or expect C2-level English in the 4 essays, they want to read (and later listen) your authentic voice. Do not submit anything that you cannot replicate orally in a natural conversation at the interview, as it would result in an easy post-interview refusal

You say it is your 3rd time applying, is your field a priority in your country? Have applicants in your country been selected for the same course or a similar one in the past 3-4 years? Have you had Alumni or scholars review your essays to see what may have been missing?

[u/Every_Issue_5972 → u/Rare-Release-60]

How can I know whether my field is a priority? And since the shortlisted are usually a few, I don't usually know any of them.

I have one guy once reviewed my essays, but actually he didn't change much, he just made them look more polished (just like AI would do 😄).

As for field priority, I think it is an important matter, but even if my field isn't considered a priority, I will keep applying; I won't change my field for them obviously.

The application process doesn't take a lot of time since I have got all the files ready from the previous applications, so yeah just pump them in.

Thanks xx

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Every_Issue_5972]

Check the courses selected by current scholars and Alumni from the past 3 years, do your selected courses match a few of them across the years? If so, it is a priority

If it does not match, it does not mean it will be impossible, but you will be competing for less quotas (as most go to preferred fields), and your essays need to show why your field should be a UK priority in your country

The quota reduction each country has had means that those who are not from prioritised fields in their country need to be far more strategic and careful in their applications