AI in Admissions

Since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, AI has become an integral part of everyday life. Not surprisingly, both university applicants and admissions officers are simultaneously wrestling with – and embracing – this new technology. The key is using it wisely.

When AI first emerged, many universities were alarmed and responded by trying to prevent its use in applications. Schools experimented with AI detection programs like Turnitin, hoping they could identify AI-generated essays. However, these tools weren’t foolproof. They frequently flagged authentic student writing as AI-generated, making them unreliable for such pivotal decisions.

Now, rather than trying to police AI, universities are adapting to it. For example, Virginia Tech has been open about using AI to summarize application files, helping admissions officers manage a surge in applications. Human readers still make the admissions decisions, but AI helps organize and streamline the review process.

AI is also changing the role of the college essay. As more students use AI to help them generate ideas and even write their essays, their work has become increasingly generic and less reflective of the applicant’s individual voice. Partly in response to this and to encourage a higher volume of applications,  many universities, including Georgia Tech, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tulane, and University of Washington, have eliminated their supplemental essays. Other universities have shortened their writing requirements or changed how they evaluate them.

The focus on AI in admissions extends beyond the United States. Starting with 2026 entry, UCAS, the United Kingdom’s centralized university application system, replaced its traditional single personal statement essay with three structured questions to improve fairness, reduce anxiety, and make the application more straightforward.

Given that essays have become a less reliable way to distinguish applicants, universities are looking closely at other parts of the application. Demonstrated interest has become increasingly important at many schools such as Washington University in St. Louis and Boston University. Admissions offices are closely tracking applicants’ participation in campus visits, virtual information sessions, and other forms of engagement. Additionally, a growing number of universities in the U.S. and abroad are inviting applicants to submit short videos or participate in adaptive online interviews to gain a better sense of their personality.

In this changing admissions landscape, applicants should keep these key points in mind:

• Essays: They are extremely important. Be as authentic as possible; your essay should sound like your genuine voice.

• Standardized Testing: Validation of your academic abilities, whether through GCSE exams, AP scores, or SAT or ACT tests, will be valued deeply by many universities. Indeed, most highly competitive universities in the U.S. have returned to requiring standardized testing for all students.

• Videos: Some universities, including Brown, Caltech, and the University of Chicago, strongly encourage short video introductions or interviews. Additionally, companies like InitialView may give international students the opportunity to express themselves beyond their resume and essays. Take advantage of these opportunities to convey your personality.

• AI Policies: Review the AI guidelines for every university to which you apply.

• Keep Your Drafts: Save versions of your essays throughout the writing process. Maintaining a record of your work can be helpful if questions ever arise about how your essay was developed.

At Ivy Options, we help students showcase their true story. Our counselors work with students to preserve and highlight their personality and experiences that make each application uniquely their own. Please reach out to us at info@ivyoptions.com for more information on our services or to schedule a free initial consultation.