How Colleges Are Using AI in Admissions: What Students Need to Know
In recent years, the landscape of college admissions has begun to shift as artificial intelligence (AI) tools enter the decision-making process. From analyzing essays to predicting which students are most likely to attend, AI is increasingly playing a role in how applicants are evaluated. But how exactly is AI being used, and what does it mean for prospective students?
AI and Essay Summarization
Some colleges are now utilizing AI to help with subjective tasks like summarizing personal essays and recommendation letters. Tools such as Student Select can analyze a student’s writing and create summaries based on personality traits, skills, and non-cognitive attributes like motivation and interpersonal interaction. These insights help admissions officers quickly assess applicants on qualities beyond academic performance, offering a more holistic view of the individual.
AI tools, however, come with ethical concerns. For example, what exactly should these algorithms be programmed to look for in an applicant? How far should AI be allowed to go in assessing the “whole student”? These are important questions, especially in light of recent legal decisions affecting college admissions. For instance, during the Supreme Court case that ended affirmative action, it was revealed that Harvard University ranked applicants on five criteria: academics, extracurriculars, athletics, recommendations, and personality. AI is now capable of summarizing many of these same aspects, but it may be harder to trust its judgment on more subjective factors like personality.
The Future of AI in Admissions Decisions
A recent Intelligent.com survey highlighted a paradox: while many schools foresee using AI tools to make the final admissions decisions in the future, 66% of admissions professionals are already concerned about the ethical implications of using AI. Yet, a significant number of schools currently use AI at various stages of the admissions process, particularly in large universities that receive tens of thousands of applications annually.
Take, for example, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). With over 100,000 applications, they rely on A/B testing and norming processes to ensure consistency in admissions decisions. While UCSD’s VP for Enrollment, Jim Rawlins, emphasized that they are not experimenting with AI on “live 17-year-olds,” he acknowledged that AI has the potential to assist in situations where human reviewers may not have time to reevaluate every application thoroughly.
This means that while human judgment remains central, AI could play an increasingly critical role in the preliminary steps—sifting through applications, identifying trends, and flagging exceptional candidates for further review.
Why AI in Admissions Is Controversial
AI tools offer powerful efficiency, but they come with significant risks. For one, they operate as “black boxes,” meaning it’s often unclear how they arrive at their conclusions. This raises concerns about accountability—if an applicant feels wrongly rejected based on an AI review, there may be limited recourse to understand why. Since AI tools are not held to the same standard of transparency as human reviewers, this lack of accountability creates a legal and ethical gray area.
Despite these concerns, AI is getting better at mimicking human decision-making. Colleges are working to develop AI systems that align with their institutional values and admission goals, but as Jim Rawlins notes, AI is “mathing,” not “thinking.” Its strength lies in processing massive amounts of data quickly, but the nuances of human judgment are still required for high-stakes decisions.
Predicting Enrollment and Institutional Goals
In addition to evaluating applicants, AI is increasingly used to help colleges predict future enrollment trends. With the impending “enrollment cliff”—a predicted drop in the number of college-age students due to declining birth rates—colleges are looking for more efficient ways to attract and admit students. AI can analyze historical data from past applicants and current students to estimate how likely a student is to enroll if admitted. This helps schools allocate resources more effectively and plan for future classes.
Admissions offices are also using AI to identify schools or regions where students perform exceptionally well. For instance, if a small number of students from a particular high school consistently excel in college, admissions teams might use AI to flag that school for stronger recruitment efforts.
What Does This Mean for Prospective Students?
For students applying to colleges that use AI in admissions, it’s essential to be aware of how these tools work. Asking schools directly if they use AI, and if so, how, is a good first step in understanding how your application will be reviewed. As AI plays a bigger role, applicants may want to consider how they craft their essays and applications to address the qualities that AI tools are designed to evaluate—such as motivation, integrity, and interpersonal skills.
Additionally, students should remain proactive in seeking feedback from human advisors, whether they are high school counselors or independent consultants. Just like working with a counselor to strategically position yourself as a strong candidate, understanding how AI operates and tailoring your application accordingly could give you an advantage.
Final Thoughts
AI is becoming an integral part of the college admissions process, but its role is still evolving. While these tools offer efficiency and data-driven insights, they come with ethical risks, particularly concerning transparency and fairness. Students should stay informed about how AI may impact their admissions process, ask the right questions, and remain focused on crafting authentic applications that highlight both their cognitive and non-cognitive strengths. The future of admissions may be more high-tech, but human qualities will always be at the heart of successful applicants.
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