Imagine a world where the very technology students are warned against using for college applications is now being wielded by admissions offices themselves. Yes, you read that right. After the initial panic over AI-generated essays, some colleges are now quietly—and in some cases, boldly—integrating artificial intelligence into their application review processes. But here’s where it gets controversial: while students are told to steer clear of AI for their essays, schools are using it to scrutinize those same submissions. How’s that for a twist?
Students are well aware that using AI chatbots to craft their personal statements is a no-go—or at least, it should be. Yet, it might surprise you to learn that institutions like Virginia Tech and the California Institute of Technology are deploying AI to analyze these very essays. And this is the part most people miss: AI isn’t just speeding up the process; it’s being touted as a tool that can, in some cases, outperform human reviewers. Take it from Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management at Virginia Tech, who points out, ‘Humans get tired, have bad days, and can be inconsistent. AI doesn’t. It’s relentless in its consistency.’
This fall, Virginia Tech is launching an AI-powered essay reader, promising to notify students of admissions decisions a month earlier than usual. But don’t worry—colleges insist AI isn’t making the final call. Instead, it’s being used to review transcripts, eliminate tedious data-entry tasks, and even evaluate the authenticity of student research projects. For instance, Caltech’s new AI tool interviews students about their research via video, looking for signs of genuine passion and intellectual ownership. ‘It’s about gauging authenticity,’ says Ashley Pallie, Caltech’s admissions director. ‘Do they truly own this work? Is there joy in their project? That’s what matters.’
But not everyone is on board. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faced a backlash after its student newspaper revealed the school was using AI to assess grammar and writing style in essays. Applicants, parents, and students were quick to criticize, forcing the university to clarify its practices. Here’s the kicker: while some schools are transparent about their AI use, others are keeping it under wraps, wary of public scrutiny. Ruby Bhattacharya, chair of the admission practices committee at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), notes that the prevalence of AI in admissions is hard to measure because it’s such a new trend. NACAC’s updated ethics guide now urges colleges to ensure their AI use aligns with values like transparency, integrity, and respect for student dignity.
So, where does this leave us? Colleges argue that AI can streamline the process, reduce errors, and even uncover insights about students that might otherwise be missed. For example, Stony Brook University is using AI to summarize essays and letters of recommendation, highlighting key details like personal challenges that could impact a student’s application. ‘It allows us to see the transcript in a whole new light,’ says Richard Beatty, the school’s senior associate provost for enrollment management.
But let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Is it fair for colleges to use AI when students are discouraged from doing the same? And what happens when AI becomes so advanced that it’s making admissions decisions? Emily Pacheco, founder of NACAC’s AI and admission special interest group, predicts, ‘Ten years from now, AI will likely be admitting students.’
What do you think? Is AI in admissions a step forward or a slippery slope? Should colleges be more transparent about their use of this technology? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s just getting started.
