While many colleges and universities are deploying the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the college admissions process, using it to recruit applicants and prescreen applications, they are also continuing to emphasize that a student’s application and writing must be their original work and the use of AI in generating content (as well as parental or other outside generation) is expressly prohibited.
The Common App, for example, has the student sign a statement that confirms this is their original work. In addition, many colleges will run the essays through an AI evaluation system.
While the generation of content is expressly prohibited, AI can be deployed in the college application process ethically. And, like any other approach, it has pros and cons.
Compiling the list
A well-developed query can help create an initial list of colleges. Indicating location, size, admissions probability (safety, target or reach) even social or political environment while listing GPA, desired major and other demographic information within ChatGPT, for example, will generate an initial list of colleges to research.
It is important to note that nuance and context may be missing and the list may not be fully accurate. The AI typically does not consider the differences in admissions rates across majors, which can be significant; University of Colorado Boulder has an overall admissions rate of 80%, but their engineering acceptance rate is about 40% and most out-of-state applicants are offered pre-engineering rather than direct entry. There are other nuances such as while Boulder is test optional for admissions, they do lean into testing (and math scores) for engineering and computer science majors. Unless the question is crafted very carefully, the results will not reflect these accurately and may lead to creating a list which is not fully balanced.
Setting a tour itinerary
Heading out of town to tour colleges but not sure where to visit and would like to use your time more efficiently? AI can help plan the itinerary and provide high-level information about the campus and majors. Including the trip length arrival and departure points and other information will generate a daily itinerary and optional visits. Specific tour availability, academic fit and other impacting factors may not be addressed, so diligence is still required for a successful trip.
Evaluating essays
While generating content is expressly prohibited, there are tools which can be deployed to improve essay writing for both main essays and supplements. Some are used without thought, like spell check or Grammerly. There is, however, a new tool, Esslo, which does not write the essay or generate content; instead, it evaluates the essay across multiple categories like: detail, voice, character, curiosity and contribution. It highlights excellent passages, discrepancies in content and areas for improvement. It provides feedback but does not recommend actual text or words to use, thus keeping in the spirit and letter of the requirement of keeping the work in the author’s original work. It has a free trial of one essay, one review, then has a monthly fee thereafter.
Remember: AI is a tool that cannot always determine accuracy, and since it “learns” and aggregates from multiple sources, the results might not always be accurate. So, after using AI to generate initial results, additional research to confirm validity is recommended.
Hollis Bischoff is a college admissions adviser for College Unlocked. For more information, email [email protected] or visit collegeunlocked.com.
