Can AI Help You Pick a Prep School? [We Put It to The Test]

The AI Revolution: Why Everyone’s Talking About Artificial Intelligence

Everywhere you turn these days, you’re hearing about artificial intelligence—articles, podcasts, news segments—it’s everywhere. Experts are saying AI will soon be embedded in nearly every part of our lives, and honestly, I believe them. I’ve started using Perplexity as my go-to for online searches instead of Google, hoping to avoid the biases built into traditional algorithms. It’s been helpful for things like trip planning, summarizing books and podcasts, and even finding top-rated products without sifting through tons of ads or sponsored content.

 Testing AI in the World of Prep School Placement

Naturally, with all the buzz around AI, I wanted to put it to the test in my world—prep school placement for basketball players. I tried out both ChatGPT and Perplexity to see if they could replicate what I do at PREP Athletics: helping families find the right-fitting prep schools for their athletes. After running dozens of prompts and scenarios through these tools, I came to a clear conclusion—they can’t replace what I do. They haven’t attended a prep school. They haven’t driven the miles to walk those campuses, met face-to-face with coaches, or maintained long-term relationships with schools across the country. And they definitely haven’t placed players from 38 countries at more than 60 different schools.

The Value of Human Insight in Athletic Placement

Beyond just data and statistics, so much of what I do relies on nuance. These AI platforms simply can’t grasp the subtle but critical elements that factor into a successful prep school match—like the personality of a coach, the culture of a program, the vibe of a dorm, or how a specific player might fit into a team’s depth chart. Admissions standards change, team needs evolve, and coaches move on. Keeping up with all that in real time takes human connection and experience—something no algorithm can replicate.

The Limitations of AI in Understanding Prep School Nuance

I was hoping AI could at least give me a rough idea of some decent school fits based on the prompts I gave it, but even then, it fell short. The suggestions lacked the human insight that’s required when helping a family make such an important decision. What AI can’t capture are the soft skills—reading a room, understanding a kid’s goals and personality, or knowing when a parent is concerned about more than just basketball. That’s what makes the work we do at PREP Athletics so personal, and why real experience will always matter more than code when it comes to finding the right path for a young athlete.

Conclusion

If you’re looking into prep school, reach out to us at PREP Athletics. We’re here to help you explore your potential and make choices that align with your athletic and academic future. We’ve also got a long list of resources to get you started in the right direction, so check out our YouTube or our podcast to dive deeper.