The Role of AI in College Admissions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we live, work and learn. From virtual assistants to self-driving cars, AI is already having a profound impact on our daily lives. But what about the college application process? How will AI evolve the way students apply to college and how universities evaluate admission candidates? While much is still to be determined, it’s an interesting exercise to consider the possibilities of how both applicants and universities can take advantage of AI for better efficiency in their work processes. 

Here are a few ideas of what’s possible.

Every spring, universities release their admission updates stating another increase in application numbers. Despite the additional work for enrollment offices evaluating applications, universities are not adding personnel to their admission teams, often leading to employee burnout. Universities can help with the turnover rate of admission officers by using machine learning algorithms to assist with the initial screening process of applicants. This can automate tasks such as verifying application completion, follow-up with applicants for missing application material, calculating GPAs, highlighting applicant strengths or possible red flags and more. By streamlining some of these processes, enrollment officials can spend more time with nuanced evaluations of various applicants. 

Predictive modeling using machine learning algorithms is already used in a number of professional sectors. Using similar algorithms, universities would be able to analyze applicants’ academic and personal data to predict their likelihood to succeed as a student or possibly what support systems are needed to ensure a student succeeds academically on campus. These insights will allow universities to make informed decisions in recruiting, admission and retention processes. 

Writing college admission essays tends to be one of the dreaded tasks for applicants. Often, students don’t know where to start, while others have plenty of ideas of what to write about but cannot settle on one particular topic. Usually, where students struggle the most is with starting the writing process. AI technology can assist students with brainstorming sessions and automating feedback on essays. Additionally, I foresee some students using programs like ChatGPT to write college essays. The sample pieces I’ve reviewed from ChatGPT have been written to an acceptable standard. However, it lacked a sense of emotion and originality and was written linearly, which can lose a reader’s attention. More importantly, there are concerns regarding ethical and moral boundaries if an applicant submits such work. Furthermore, if universities grow concerned about the use of AI in college admission essays, it’s possible writing sections of standardized exams would be reintroduced or more institutions could require class written assignments as part of the required application material.   

College List Building 

Currently, our college counseling office uses a tool called College Kickstart to help students generate a balanced college list. In this process, the algorithm takes into account a student’s academic data and compares it to the historical data of how LJCDS alumni fared in the admissions process for these universities. It will categorize each college on the list and its potential admission match for the prospective applicant. Tools like College Kickstart are valuable as it is able to harness vast amounts of information and data with a click of a button.

While the advances in AI technology are quite impressive, I do not anticipate it will replace the human element within the process. Human judgment and voice will still continue to be at the center of the admission process. However, AI will help stakeholders improve their workflow and allow for more creativity if used correctly. There are also broader issues to consider such as biases that may seep into the programming of algorithms. It will be important that the use of AI will continue to promote equity and access for all students. And regardless of how one feels about AI, it’s here to stay. It’s only a matter of time before the high school students and admission offices at universities adapt them to their needs.