Insights

Practitioner notes from the current cycle.

Long-form essays, recent commentary, and the answers we find ourselves repeating on calls. Written by Oak's founders and senior partners. Free to read.

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Essays

Navigating AI in college essays — what admissions readers actually detect

Generative AI has changed what counts as a strong essay. Here's what admissions officers can now detect, what they can't, and how to use these tools without compromising your voice.

Hao Cui · 1 min

June 10, 2026

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Recent articles

Athletics

Ivy slot vs. D1 full ride — the conversation nobody has honestly

Recruited athletes face a choice that most consultancies are too conflicted to discuss. Here is the honest framework, from someone who lived it.

1 min · Simon Kushkov

Admissions

How many schools should you apply to? The defensible answer.

The honest, profile-specific framework for sizing your college list — without the inflation that hurts your applications.

1 min · Hao Cui

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Admissions

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