Universities Embrace AI in Admissions Processes
Several leading universities are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and similar technologies to process applications and assess essays from prospective students, marking a notable trend.
For instance, Virginia Tech is incorporating AI into its admissions system with a tool designed to evaluate student essays, aimed at enabling quicker admissions decisions. Meanwhile, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is considering AI chatbots for video interviews with some applicants, according to a report.
Juan Espinoza, Virginia Tech’s vice president for enrollment management, shared with the media, “As humans, we experience fatigue and fluctuations in our mood. AI remains constant, without the effect of tiredness or bad days.” He emphasized that AI’s consistency is a significant advantage.
Virginia Tech insists that AI serves only as an additional layer in grading essays, rather than making decisions independently. Previously, essays were assessed by two reviewers to ensure fairness and accuracy. Now, AI takes over one of those roles, with a second human reviewer stepping in if there’s a notable disagreement in scores—more than a two-point difference.
Ashley Parry, admissions director at Caltech, noted that their AI interviewing tool helps provide “a measure of reliability.” She pointed out the importance of assessing the candidate’s intellectual engagement and enthusiasm for their projects.
At Georgia Tech, the university is applying AI to analyze transfer student transcripts, with plans to possibly extend this technology to freshman evaluations in the future.
Richard Clark, Georgia Tech’s executive director of enrollment management, expressed optimism about AI reducing delays and errors in processing applications. “I’m really looking forward to its potential,” he said.
Stony Brook University in New York is piloting an AI feature that can summarize essays and recommendation letters while flagging key points for manual review. Such AI systems are likely saving educational institutions substantial time, perhaps thousands of hours.
Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) expressed frustration upon learning that their admissions essays might not even be read, as the school utilizes AI to summarize those documents. Alarmingly, students have also been cautioned that reliance on AI for their applications could lead to automatic rejection. Penalties for using AI in school work often range from failing grades to disciplinary actions for academic dishonesty.
As of now, Virginia Tech, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Stony Brook, and UNC have not responded to inquiries regarding these developments.
