Article Improvements & AI Feature Specs

Date: 2026-02-15
Source: Henry feedback on "How Many Schools" article
Status: Planning

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Part 1: Article Improvements (Quick Wins)

1.1 Table Styling Improvements

Priority: P1
Assignee: Kai (Frontend)
Scope: All blog articles with tables

Requirements:

• Smaller fonts for data density
• Lighter background colors
• Visible borders for readability
• Mobile-responsive (horizontal scroll or stacked layout)
• Maintain visual appeal

1.2 Update Outdated Interview Info

Priority: P1
Assignee: Content team
Scope: "How Many Schools" article

Change: Remove/update references to travel expenses for interviews. Most schools now do online interviews post-COVID.

1.3 Add MedSchools.ai Feature References

Priority: P1
Assignee: Content team
Scope: All blog articles

Requirements:

• Add strategic CTAs linking to signup/features
• Reference our tools where relevant (School List Builder, AI Advisor, etc.)
• Don't be salesy - integrate naturally into content
• Example: "Use our School List Builder to apply this strategy to your specific stats"

1.4 Add Strategic Images

Priority: P2
Assignee: Content/Design
Scope: All blog articles

Requirements:

• 2-3 images per article at strategic locations
• Infographics, charts, or relevant stock photos
• Break up walls of text
• Alt text for SEO

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Part 2: Standalone Cost Calculator Page

2.1 Public Cost Calculator Page

Priority: P1
Assignee: Kai (Frontend) + Atlas (Backend)
Location: /tools/application-cost-calculator

Features:

• Input: Number of schools, primary app, secondaries, score reports
• Output: Estimated total cost breakdown
• CTA: "Log in to calculate based on your actual school list"
• Link from "How Many Schools" article

2.2 Dashboard Personalized Calculator

Priority: P2
Assignee: Kai + Atlas
Location: /dashboard/school-list (integrated)

Features:

• Auto-calculate based on user's actual school list
• Show per-school costs (secondaries, etc.)
• Total estimated application cost
• Interview costs (if applicable)

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Part 3: AI-Powered Features (Big Feature)

3.1 Contextual AI Assistant Panel

Priority: P0 (Major Feature)
Assignee: Atlas (Backend) + Kai (Frontend)

UI Concept:

• Floating icon on right side of dashboard pages
• Slides out as a panel when clicked
• Fully contextual to current page (PS, Activities, School List, etc.)
• Chat interface for feedback and guidance

Technical Requirements:

• Context injection based on current route
• Access to user's data (profile, stats, activities, PS drafts, school list)
• Streaming responses
• Mobile-friendly (full screen on mobile?)

3.2 Personal Statement AI Feedback

Priority: P0
Page: /dashboard/personal-statement

AI Capabilities:

• Analyze PS draft against user's Experiences & Activities
• Feedback categories:
  • Does it paint a picture of who the applicant is?
  • Does the reader understand WHY they want to be a physician?
  • Do the stories add value and connect?
  • Overall writing quality
  • Grammar & spelling errors
• Encourage user to fill out Experiences/Activities for better feedback
• Suggest improvements with specific examples

3.3 Activities AI Helper

Priority: P1
Page: /dashboard/activities

AI Capabilities:

• Help choose Most Meaningful Experiences (MME)
• Analyze activity descriptions for impact
• Suggest improvements to writing
• Identify gaps in experiences
• Recommend how to frame activities

3.4 School List AI Strategist

Priority: P0
Page: /dashboard/school-list

AI Capabilities:

• Analyze user's profile: MCAT, GPA, undergrad school, state residency, experiences
• Recommend school list strategy (similar to article logic but personalized):
  • Safety schools
  • Target schools
  • Reach schools
• Explain reasoning for each recommendation
• Adjust based on user preferences (location, research focus, primary care, etc.)
• Incorporate the selection logic from the article

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Part 4: Incorporate Article Logic into Tools

4.1 School Selection Logic

Source: "How Many Schools" article
Destination: School List AI Strategist

Logic to Extract:

• GPA/MCAT tier recommendations
• In-state vs out-of-state strategy
• Mission fit considerations
• Yield protection awareness
• Balanced list composition (safety/target/reach ratios)

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Implementation Phases

Phase 1: Quick Wins (This Week)

• Table styling improvements (Kai)
• Update interview travel info (Content)
• Add feature CTAs to articles (Content)
• Create standalone cost calculator page (Kai + Atlas)

Phase 2: AI Foundation (Week 2-3)

• Design contextual AI panel UI (Kai)
• Build AI context injection system (Atlas)
• Implement PS feedback AI (Atlas)
• School List AI strategist (Atlas)

Phase 3: Polish & Expand (Week 4+)

• Activities AI helper
• Dashboard cost calculator integration
• Add images to articles
• Iterate based on user feedback

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Notes

• AI features should use existing chat infrastructure where possible
• Context awareness is KEY - the AI must know what page user is on and have access to their data
• Don't just give generic advice - personalize everything
• The article's school selection logic is solid - codify it into the AI