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Using AI to generate course descriptions

_In the app: `/transcripts`_

AI course descriptions generate 2-3 sentence summaries for your transcript courses in seconds. The AI writes for college admissions readers, not marketing. Available on the Family plan ($29/month with a 14-day trial); trial families get 10 free generations before needing to upgrade.

How to

Generate an AI course description

  1. Log in to your Family plan account (or start a 14-day trial).
  2. Go to Transcripts in the left menu.
  3. Create a new transcript or open an existing one — click Edit.
  4. In the course list, click '+ Curriculum / description (your notes)' to expand the curriculum and description fields for a course.
  5. Check that the Subject name and Grade level are filled in — the AI uses these as primary inputs.
  6. Click the '✨ AI generate' button (visible only on Family plan or trial).
  7. The AI will write a 2-3 sentence description and place it in the description field within seconds.
  8. Read the generated text. You can edit it freely before saving — treat it as a draft.
  9. The description stays in the field and will print on your transcript (Common App or Standard format).

Provide more details for a better AI generation

  1. Expand the curriculum and description fields (click '+ Curriculum / description').
  2. Fill in the Curriculum field with a real, well-known curriculum name (e.g., 'Saxon Math', 'IEW Writing with Ease') — the AI uses this if it recognizes it.
  3. In the description field, jot down topics you covered or anything unique about the course (e.g., 'Included calculus, physics, labs at community college').
  4. Check the 'H' (Honors / AP / dual-enrollment) checkbox if the course is weighted — this signals to the AI the rigor level.
  5. Click '✨ AI generate'. The AI will use all this context to write a description.

Use multiple generations for the same course

  1. Generate a description using '✨ AI generate'.
  2. Read it. If you don't like it, select all the text in the description field and delete it.
  3. Click '✨ AI generate' again to get a new version (if you have generations left on your trial).
  4. Keep the version you like best, or blend pieces from different generations by editing by hand.

Check how many AI generations you have left (trial only)

  1. Click Settings (left menu).
  2. Scroll down to 'Trial AI usage' section.
  3. Look at 'AI course descriptions' — the number shows how many you've used and how many remain (e.g., '3 / 10').

Upgrade from trial to keep generating after your 10 free descriptions

  1. Click Settings.
  2. Click the 'Upgrade to Family plan' button or pricing card.
  3. Choose your billing cycle (monthly or annual) and enter your payment details.
  4. Once subscribed, AI generations are unlimited — no more caps.

Export a transcript with AI-generated descriptions

  1. In your transcript editor, fill in your courses and generate (or write) descriptions.
  2. Scroll down to the Format section and choose Standard or Common App layout.
  3. Click 'Generate watermarked PDF' to get a preview (or buy a clean PDF to remove the watermark).
  4. The descriptions appear in the course detail sections on the PDF.

Options & settings

  • Curriculum field (optional input for the curriculum/textbook name — AI may use it if well-known, for reference only, not printed)
  • Course description textarea (where AI output lands; you can hand-edit after generation)
  • H checkbox (Honors / AP / dual-enrollment flag — helps AI understand course rigor)
  • Subject name (required for AI to generate; AI uses this as a primary input)
  • Grade level (passed to AI from the school year/semester block to provide context)

Common questions

Can I use AI descriptions on the free transcript builder?

No. The free transcript builder at /transcript-builder has no AI and no login required — you write descriptions by hand. The '✨ AI generate' button only appears when you're logged into a Family plan account or during your 14-day trial. To use AI, sign up for a trial or upgrade to the Family plan ($29/month).

What if my subject doesn't have a curriculum?

Leave the Curriculum field blank — it's optional. The AI will still generate a description based on your Subject name and any topics you jot down in the description field. You can add a curriculum name later and regenerate if you want.

How long is a generated description?

2-3 sentences, max 60 words. The AI deliberately keeps descriptions short and factual so college admissions readers see consistent, professional summaries — not marketing copy.

Can I edit the AI description after it's generated?

Yes. The generated text lands in the description field like any other text — you can edit, trim, or rewrite it. It's a draft you own and can polish as needed.

What if the AI generates something wrong or off-topic?

Delete the text and click '✨ AI generate' again (if you have generations left on trial). On the Family plan subscription, you have unlimited generations. Or write the description yourself — the field accepts free text.

Do AI-generated descriptions print on the PDF?

Yes. Descriptions appear in course detail sections on both Standard and Common App transcripts. If you include them in the description field, they'll print. You can always leave the description blank if you prefer.

What's the difference between the free transcript builder and Family plan transcripts?

The free builder (/transcript-builder, no login required) has no AI and generates watermarked PDFs only. Family plan transcripts (in the app under /transcripts when logged in) have AI course descriptions, clean PDF exports, and auto-fill from your enrollments and grades.

Good to know

  • The AI button only shows on the Family plan or trial — if you're using the free transcript builder or a free account, you won't see it. You must log in to a Family plan account or trial to access AI descriptions.
  • Trial families are capped at 10 generations across all courses. Once you hit 10, the AI button stops working until you subscribe to the Family plan.
  • Rapid-clicking the AI generate button won't sneak in extra generations — the app prevents that at the database level with atomic updates.
  • The AI won't mention your student's name or make outcome promises (e.g., 'earned a 5 on the AP exam'). This is intentional — admissions readers want factual course summaries, not marketing.
  • Curriculum names must be real and well-known. If you type something made-up, the AI may ignore it or note that it doesn't recognize it.
  • The description field is optional — you don't have to use AI. You can write descriptions by hand, leave them blank, or use both approaches for different courses.
  • Transcript Pro ($60/year) does NOT include AI descriptions — it gives you unlimited PDF regenerations and Common App formatting only. AI is Family plan only.

Plans

Family plan only ($29/month, includes 14-day free trial). Trial families: 10 free AI course descriptions. After trial ends or cap is hit, subscription unlocks unlimited generations. Transcript Pro ($60/year) and free tier: no access to AI descriptions.

Want answers tailored to your own students and state? Your Teacher's Aide knows your account — or start a free trial.