Key Takeaways
- Some colleges are using artificial intelligence (AI) to review components of applications, such as research projects and transcripts, and to eliminate data entry tasks.
- AI is being used to conduct interviews, detect fake applications, and identify low-income students eligible for federal Pell Grants.
- The use of AI in college admissions is a growing trend, with some schools, such as Caltech and Virginia Tech, already implementing AI-powered tools.
- However, not all colleges are buying into the trend, with some, such as UCs and USC, opting for a human-centered approach.
- The use of AI in college admissions raises concerns about bias, transparency, and the potential for machines to replace human evaluators.
Introduction to AI in College Admissions
The college admissions process is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, such as Caltech and Virginia Tech, are using AI-powered tools to review applications, conduct interviews, and detect fake applications. According to Ashley M. Pallie, the dean of undergraduate admissions at Caltech, "We wanted to bring the student voice back into applications… It might seem strange to use AI to get more of a human voice, but I think of it as a way to bring more authenticity into the fold." Caltech’s use of AI-assisted technology, developed by InitialView, helped screen roughly 10% of recent early applicants.
The Growing Trend of AI in College Admissions
The use of AI in college admissions is a growing trend, with more and more schools incorporating AI-powered tools into their evaluation process. Virginia Tech, for example, debuted an AI-powered essay reader in the fall, which is expected to inform students of admissions decisions a month sooner than usual. As Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management at Virginia Tech, noted, "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." The AI tool can scan about 250,000 essays in under an hour, compared to a human reader who averages two minutes per essay.
Concerns and Criticisms
However, the use of AI in college admissions is not without its criticisms. Some schools, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have faced backlash from applicants and parents over the use of AI to evaluate essays. The university declined to comment on the issue, but its admissions website states that AI programs are used to provide data points about students’ common application essays and transcripts, and that every application is evaluated comprehensively by human evaluators. As Ruby Bhattacharya, chair of the admission practices committee at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, noted, "I don’t think it’s as black and white as saying using AI in college admissions is either good or bad in any kind of blanket way… It has a role to play, and that role may evolve in the future."
Human-Centered Approach
Not all colleges are buying into the trend of using AI in admissions. Some, such as UCs and USC, are opting for a human-centered approach, with teams of readers who evaluate applications and provide personalized feedback. As Gary Clark, UCLA’s associate vice chancellor of enrollment management, noted, "The human process on our side, I think, needs to mirror the human process on the other side… We’re looking at what they share in their personal insight question responses and things that they’ve accomplished or dedicated their time towards outside of class. Especially those qualitative things, I think, really require human evaluation." UCLA’s approach involves a team of over 300 readers who evaluate each application twice, providing a comprehensive and nuanced assessment of each applicant.
The Role of AI in Detecting Fraud
AI is also being used to detect fake applications and prevent financial aid fraud. Golden West College in Huntington Beach, for example, is using AI to flag potential fake students, with algorithms that look for patterns and trends in the data. As Claudia Lee, the college’s vice president of student services, noted, "The AI uses algorithms in place based on the information we provide it to look for the patterns, the trends, in the data that could point to fraud." The use of AI in this context has been successful, with the college able to reduce the number of fake applications and prevent financial aid fraud.
Conclusion
The use of AI in college admissions is a complex and evolving issue, with both proponents and critics presenting valid arguments. While AI can bring efficiency and consistency to the evaluation process, it also raises concerns about bias, transparency, and the potential for machines to replace human evaluators. As colleges and universities continue to navigate this new landscape, it is essential to consider the implications of AI on the admissions process and ensure that the use of technology aligns with the values of transparency, integrity, fairness, and respect for student dignity. As Pallie noted, "It might seem strange to use AI to get more of a human voice, but I think of it as a way to bring more authenticity into the fold." Ultimately, the key to successful implementation of AI in college admissions is to strike a balance between the benefits of technology and the need for human evaluation and judgment.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-02/ai-may-be-scoring-your-college-admissions-essay