How AI Plays a Role in the College Admissions Process

With the ever-increasing prevalence of AI in our daily lives, of course students wonder about how it plays into decisions that affect their future. How much of a role does AI play in the college admissions process? What is AI looking for? How can applicants stand out? Do institutions allow AI to have the final say in the decision to admit (or decline to admit) students?

AI sounds a little scary at first: How could a machine properly evaluate a candidate? Important factors that weigh into the decision on an applicant include subtle distinctions involving their socioeconomic background and/or educational opportunities offered. For example, their high school may have had 20 AP course options, or just a handful. Other considerations are the student’s efforts, achievements, and obstacles they’ve overcome despite certain challenges or hardships. The concern (for admissions officers and students alike) is that AI may not be able to decipher a student’s unique qualities or potential, which is more personal and not as quantifiable. While it’s almost certain that, given a formula, AI could factor for how many AP classes were available to an applicant. But would it be able to factor for a drop in grades for one semester caused by something extraneous? 

Current Use of AI in Higher Education

According to a survey conducted in September of 2023 by Intelligent.com, half of higher education admissions departments already had AI in use. Of the 399 respondents, 82% of those in higher education said that they anticipated their institution would be using AI to assist in the admissions process by 2024. Another 5% claimed their school planned to implement the use of AI in the application process by 2025. 

How Institutions Use AI

Respondents reported that efficiency is the main reason for the use of AI in their admissions process. Schools are flooded with applications almost simultaneously. This leaves admissions officers with a lot to filter through during a brief window of time. Historically, data and formulas have been used – sometimes by temporary employees – to sift out the applications that don’t qualify. So, the concept of using data or rubrics to wade through applications isn’t new. Machine learning and admissions algorithms can make this task faster and more accurate, without sacrificing accuracy or quality. Sia, a machine learning AI engine, claims the ability to process the contents of a transcript in seconds, without errors!

Respondents declared that most AI is used to review transcripts and letters of recommendation. That, in itself, doesn’t sound so bad, especially considering that algorithms were already used by humans prior to AI. However, some schools also use it to review personal essays and even to conduct interviews.

Surprisingly, 87% of respondents from schools currently using AI claimed that the final decision on applicants is “sometimes” or “always” made by AI. Nobody wants to be just a data point, but this news punctuates the importance of good grades and high test scores. Highly selective schools, with their more nuanced approach to evaluating candidates, are expected to continue to have humans make the final decision about applicants. 

Chatbots

The Good

Another way colleges and universities have implemented AI is through the use of chatbots. Chatbots, while lacking a personal touch, have many advantages. They are available any time of day, so you can ask a question and get feedback within seconds. Additionally, students who cannot afford college counseling services, may be able to use AI chatbots as a sounding board. Chatbots could be useful, for example, in the drafting stage or when trying out ideas or arguments for their essay. 

The Bad

Students may be tempted to use AI to write their essay for them. This, of course, is not only unethical, but it would rob them of the opportunity to showcase their authentic self. An applicant’s experiences, how they’ve persevered, and their hopes and dreams for the future are uniquely theirs to tell! Plus, admissions officers approach applications with healthy skepticism. They are adept at identifying when an applicant’s voice isn’t consistent throughout. 

A quote from an article in The Guardian said it well: When students use AI to complete essay assignments, “The results tend to be grammatically impeccable but intellectually bland, rife with cliche and misinformation.”

So, don’t even think about it, lol. 

Bias

While many believe that the use of AI in the admissions process will likely reduce bias, it remains a concern. Developers are continuously working to improve AI engines to reduce biases and bad information. For example, AI software Student Select attempts to fight systemic racism and other prejudices by removing potentially revealing data such as applicant name, zip code, and dates. Still, AI is unfortunately only as good as the information it is supplied. If a program is fed the criteria for acceptance based on previously accepted applicants, it’s likely to continue to accept the same types of applicants. This, in itself, could pose a problem. Consider, too, what biases may be present if the software is designed by humans who have biases themselves.  

Moving Forward

AI is here, and that isn’t likely to change. The choice students have is how to approach their applications. Using AI to brainstorm ideas and get your questions answered by your top choice schools has advantages. Just be careful not to use it for the parts of the application that need to come from you. 

Questions?

Reach out to one of our counselors today!  Contact us.

Sources:

8 in 10 Colleges Will Use AI in Admissions by 2024 – Intelligent.com

Is AI Affecting College Admissions? – U.S. News & World Report

Balancing the potentials and pitfalls of AI in college admissions – USC Rossier School of Education

‘A real opportunity’: how ChatGPT could help college applicants – The Guardian