College admissions is a game that around 20 million high schoolers in America participate in, hoping to win the golden ticket to their dream school. But with acceptance rates dropping, “achievements that greatly increased your chances of acceptance a decade ago may barely move the needle today” (Chada 18).

With AI on the rise, students now have the perfect opportunity to stand out. Learning how to use AI to build apps, streamline projects, or even gain experience with startups—like students at Flintolabs do—can set you apart in ways that traditional extracurriculars no longer can.

Start distinguishing yourself from the crowd by gaining skills that are only growing in importance in this day and age.

Experience with AI opens doors

AI is more than a buzzword; it’s a career accelerator. By handling the “boring, repetitive tasks faster” (Patterson 5), AI frees students to focus on creativity and problem-solving. With even universities making AI part of their core offerings, becoming fluent in it is no longer optional, it’s a necessity, as “AI is here to stay, so it’s important to learn how you can use AI in a professional context to give you an edge that will help move you to the next level” (Nierman 10).

High schoolers who learn AI skills can build apps, websites, and digital projects while sharpening problem-solving abilities. These projects don’t just teach coding; they demonstrate initiative, innovation, and adaptability, traits valued by both colleges and employers. Whether you’re pursuing tech or any other field, showing you can use AI effectively signals you’re ready for the future.

AI and College Admissions

While AI shouldn’t be used to write your applications, showing you’ve learned it can significantly boost them. Programs that teach students to apply AI in creative ways, like Flintolabs, give you tangible proof of your skills, such as a working app or project portfolio.

According to College Board, internships and hands-on experiences “will help you stand out from other college applicants,” as it shows that “you're interested in taking on responsibility and learning new things” (Collegeboard 1). Combining that with AI projects highlights two rare traits in applicants: creativity and discipline. It shows you don’t trade hard work for shortcuts—you use technology to amplify effort.

Final verdict

AI isn’t going anywhere, it’s only becoming more essential. By engaging with AI early, you’re not just preparing for the future; you’re actively shaping it. Building skills, creating projects, and gaining real-world experience can set you apart from the crowd and give you an admissions edge that lasts well beyond college.

So, why wait? Start building your AI toolkit today and step into college applications with confidence, passion, and a competitive advantage.

References

1. Board, College. “Do Colleges Care about Internships? – BigFuture | College Board.” Bigfuture.collegeboard.org, bigfuture.collegeboard.org/help-center/do-colleges-care-about-internships.

2. Hanson, Melanie. “College Enrollment & Student Demographic Statistics.” Education Data Initiative, 17 Mar. 2025, educationdata.org/college-enrollment-statistics.

3. University, Cornell. “Cornell University | Online AI Certificate .” Cornell University | Online AI Certificate , online.cornell.edu/ai/.

4. YEC. “Artificial Intelligence Is Here to Stay: Considerations for PR Professionals.” Forbes, 12 Dec. 2023, www.forbes.com/councils/theyec/2023/12/12/artificial-intelligence-is-here-to-stay-considerations-for-pr-professionals/.