As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize various industries, it’s now making its way into the world of college admissions. Schools are beginning to use AI to assist in the initial phases of college application grading. The adoption of AI for reviewing applications aims to streamline the process, making it faster and more efficient for admissions teams to handle large volumes of submissions. However, this shift comes with both opportunities and challenges for students, parents, and college counselors.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into how and why colleges are using AI in application reviews, explore the role of large language models (LLMs) like GPT, and provide strategies for students and counselors to adapt to this new reality.
Why Colleges are Using AI in Application Grading
1. Managing High Application Volumes
One of the primary reasons colleges are turning to AI is to handle the sheer volume of applications they receive each year. Elite institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford process tens of thousands of applications annually, making it challenging for human admissions officers to give each application the in-depth review it deserves. AI can quickly analyze vast amounts of data, such as academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities, providing an initial assessment of applicants.
2. Efficiency and Speed
AI technology allows admissions teams to process applications much faster. By using algorithms to analyze structured data such as GPA, test scores, and course rigor, schools can identify top candidates or flag applications that require closer human review. This helps admissions officers focus their attention on applications that are more complex or nuanced, such as those that involve unique personal essays or special circumstances.
3. Consistency and Objectivity
One of the potential benefits of using AI in admissions is that it can introduce consistency and reduce human bias. Unlike human reviewers, AI algorithms do not experience fatigue or subjective bias, which could lead to inconsistencies in the evaluation process. By using a consistent set of metrics, AI can help ensure that all applications are reviewed according to the same criteria, leading to a more objective process.
4. Integration with Holistic Admissions
AI doesn’t just focus on academic data. Many schools are exploring how to integrate AI into holistic admissions processes, which consider the whole student, including their extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, and personal background. Advanced AI models can analyze a student’s entire application portfolio, including written essays, to assess their potential beyond traditional academic metrics.
How AI is Used in the Initial Phases of Application Grading
1. Analyzing Structured Data
AI excels at processing structured data—information that is easy to categorize, such as test scores, GPA, and course load. Many schools use AI to scan this data and rank applicants based on academic performance. This gives admissions officers a starting point for determining which applications warrant more in-depth review.
2. Essay Evaluation and Sentiment Analysis
AI is also being used to evaluate college application essays. Large language models (LLMs) like GPT can assess written content for grammar, coherence, and even emotional tone. AI can identify how well an essay aligns with the prompt and evaluate a student’s ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively. Some programs even use sentiment analysis to assess the emotional impact of an essay, helping admissions officers gauge the authenticity of a student’s voice.
3. Identifying Anomalies and Patterns
AI tools can also be used to detect patterns across applications. For example, AI can flag applications that contain inconsistencies between a student’s academic record and their essay writing style, helping to prevent potential fraud or identify applications that might require closer scrutiny. Similarly, AI can identify trends, such as the overuse of certain essay clichés or formulaic responses, allowing admissions officers to prioritize more original submissions.
4. Flagging Applications for Human Review
Rather than making final decisions on its own, AI often plays a role in flagging certain applications for further human review. For example, if an application has strong academic credentials but the essay seems weak or off-topic, AI can alert the admissions team to take a closer look. This ensures that while AI speeds up the review process, important decisions are still made by human admissions officers.
Potential Drawbacks of AI in Admissions
While AI brings many benefits to the admissions process, there are also potential downsides that must be considered:
1. Bias in AI Models
AI systems are only as objective as the data they are trained on. If the data used to train an AI model contains biases—such as historical data that reflects socioeconomic or racial inequalities—those biases can be perpetuated in the admissions process. For example, if a school has historically admitted more students from affluent backgrounds, an AI model might prioritize applicants from similar backgrounds, perpetuating inequality.
2. Over-Reliance on Quantitative Metrics
While AI is effective at analyzing structured data like test scores and GPAs, it may struggle to assess the qualitative aspects of an application, such as a student’s passion, resilience, or potential for growth. Over-reliance on AI could lead to a greater emphasis on quantitative metrics, which may not fully capture a student’s potential or unique contributions.
3. Concerns About Authenticity
There is growing concern that students may use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate parts of their college essays. While AI can be a useful tool for brainstorming and drafting, it’s important for students to ensure that their final essay reflects their authentic voice. Admissions officers are increasingly aware of the possibility of AI-generated content and are learning to recognize signs that an essay may lack authenticity.
How Students and College Counselors Should Adapt
As AI becomes a more common tool in college admissions, students and college counselors must adjust their strategies to ensure applications stand out in this new landscape. Here are some ways to adapt:
1. Focus on Authenticity
With AI playing a role in the initial review process, it’s more important than ever for students to ensure their applications are authentic. This is especially true for personal essays, where students need to highlight their unique experiences, perspectives, and passions. While AI can help with brainstorming or editing, the final product should be a true reflection of the student’s voice and character.
2. Strengthen Extracurricular and Personal Components
As AI tends to focus on academic metrics, students should ensure that the personal components of their applications—such as extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and letters of recommendation—are strong and well-rounded. These elements can help differentiate students in a process where many applicants may have similar academic qualifications.
3. Work with College Counselors and IECs for Personal Guidance
College counselors and Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) are more important than ever in an AI-driven admissions world. Counselors can provide personalized guidance, helping students craft essays that resonate emotionally and authentically. They can also offer insights into how specific schools are using AI in their admissions process, allowing students to tailor their applications accordingly.
4. Use AI Tools Wisely
While students should avoid relying too heavily on AI tools for their essays, they can still use AI wisely to improve their applications. For example, students can use AI for grammar checks, organization, and structure. However, it’s essential to ensure that the content remains genuine and personal, rather than formulaic or generated by a machine.
5. Stay Informed on AI Trends in Admissions
AI is an evolving tool in college admissions, and its role will likely expand in the coming years. Students, parents, and counselors should stay informed about how different schools are using AI in their admissions process. Keeping up with the latest developments will help students adapt and ensure they are presenting the strongest possible application.
AI Graded College Apps
As AI technology becomes more integrated into the college admissions process, students, parents, and counselors need to understand how it works and how to adapt their strategies. While AI can streamline the initial phases of application grading, the human element remains crucial in assessing a student’s full potential. By focusing on authenticity, leveraging personal components of the application, and staying informed about AI trends, students can successfully navigate this new admissions landscape.
At Admyssion, we’re here to help students make sense of these changes and guide them through every step of the college application process. Whether you’re navigating AI-driven admissions or seeking personalized support, our expert team is ready to assist.
