Dubai Student Launches AI Platform to Help Underprivileged Youth Navigate College Applications
A high school student in Dubai is using artificial intelligence to level the playing field in global education. Garv Lamba, an 18-year-old Year 13 student at GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail, has developed an AI-powered website to assist underprivileged students with the often overwhelming college application process.
The platform, college-compass. pages.dev acts as a virtual college counsellor, guiding students through personalised academic and extracurricular planning. It uses advanced AI and natural language processing to gather information about a student’s background, goals, and interests, and then provides tailored recommendations for portfolio development, college essay improvements, and extracurricular suggestions.
Garv, who has been accepted to the University of California, San Diego to study Artificial Intelligence, said his own experiences applying to universities sparked the idea. “Even with access to school counsellors and consultants, I felt lost during my application process. I realised many students don’t have any such support,” he said.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with fellow students Ian Pannetier and Mahmoud Moursy for a year. The AI tool evaluates students’ strengths and weaknesses, recommends ways to enhance their applications, and even simulates college interview scenarios to build confidence and preparedness.
One standout feature is its ability to suggest extracurricular activities that align with students’ personal strengths and long-term aspirations, helping them stand out in competitive admissions environments. The platform also provides constructive feedback on college essays, a critical element for applicants to Ivy League and other top-tier institutions.
“It’s not meant to replace human counsellors entirely,” Garv clarified, “but it’s a strong alternative for students who don’t have access to these resources. It’s designed to be free, accessible, and impactful.”
Looking ahead, the team aims to expand the platform into a more comprehensive resource hub. “We envision building a full database of global colleges along with tools for detailed portfolio development,” Garv said.
Since its launch, the platform has been gaining traction with positive reviews from users in India, the United States, and other regions, signaling a growing demand for inclusive, technology-driven solutions in education.
