Students applying to college know they can’t — or at least shouldn’t — use AI chatbots to write their essays and personal statements. So it might come as a surprise that some schools are now using artificial intelligence to read them.
AI tools are now being incorporated into how student applications are screened and analyzed, admissions directors say. It can be a delicate topic, and not all colleges are eager to talk about it, but higher education is among the many industries where artificial intelligence is rapidly taking on tasks once reserved for humans.
In some cases, schools are quietly slipping AI into their evaluation process, experts say. Others are touting the technology’s potential to speed up their review of applications, cut processing times and even perform some tasks better than humans.
“Humans get tired; some days are better than others. The AI does not get tired. It doesn’t get grumpy. It doesn’t have a bad day. The AI is consistent,” says Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management at Virginia Tech.
This fall, Virginia Tech is debuting an AI-powered essay reader. The college expects it will be able to inform students of admissions decisions a month sooner than usual, in late January, because of the tool’s help sorting tens of thousands of applications.
Colleges stress they are not relying on AI to make admissions decisions, using it primarily to review transcripts and eliminate data-entry tasks. However, AI also plays a role in evaluating students. Some highly selective schools are adopting AI tools to vet application packages curated with the help of admissions consultants.
The California Institute of Technology is launching an AI tool this fall to look for “authenticity” in students who submit research projects with their applications. Students upload their research to an AI chatbot that interviews them about it on video, which is reviewed by Caltech faculty.
The prevalence of AI usage is difficult to gauge because it is a new trend; the National Association for College Admission Counseling has even updated its ethics guide to address AI use.
On the other hand, some institutions have faced backlash for their AI usage. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faced negative feedback after reports emerged that it was using AI to evaluate applicants’ essays.
At Virginia Tech, Espinoza has received inquiries from other colleges interested in the AI technology but concerned about potential backlash. However, he notes that the AI reader his school developed is only to confirm scores generated by human readers.
Colleges see the benefits of AI tools for applicants, such as eliminating errors in tasks like uploading transcripts and simplifying the application process for students. Georgia Tech and Stony Brook University are among the institutions rolling out various AI tools aimed at improving admissions efficiency while maintaining student engagement and fairness. As technology continues to evolve, the role of AI in admissions will be watched closely by educators and stakeholders.
