Colleges Embrace AI Technologies to Transform Admissions Process

Thu Dec 04 2025 14:46:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As AI tools gain traction among college admissions departments, schools like Virginia Tech are utilizing these technologies to expedite application reviews and enhance student evaluations while maintaining ethical standards.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being adopted in college admissions processes, aiding schools like Virginia Tech and the California Institute of Technology in reviewing applications more efficiently. While colleges assert they are not fully relying on AI for admissions decisions, these tools are being harnessed to lessen workloads and improve the evaluation of student submissions. Examples include AI programs that analyze essays and transcripts, assisting in identifying applicants' authenticity and unique circumstances.

Students applying to college are now facing a paradox: while they are warned against using AI to write their own essays, admissions departments are increasingly leveraging AI technologies to analyze those submissions. This shift marks a significant change in the higher education landscape, with schools turning to AI for efficiency and enhanced evaluation capabilities.

Virginia Tech has recently introduced an AI-driven essay reader that is expected to expedite the admissions decision process to late January. 'Humans get tired; the AI does not,' explains Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management at Virginia Tech, highlighting the AI's consistency in grading compared to human evaluators.

Similarly, the California Institute of Technology is set to launch an AI tool to assess the authenticity of research projects submitted by applicants. Through a video interview process, the AI aims to determine the depth of engagement and passion the students possess regarding their work. Ashley Pallie, admissions director at Caltech, emphasizes that these tools are pivotal for understanding an applicant's genuine involvement in their research.

Current Trends and Ethical Considerations

Despite expressing caution in the implementation of AI, institutions like Georgia Tech and Stony Brook University are exploring AI's potential to streamline application processes, such as auto-analyzing transcripts and assessing letters of recommendation. Experts believe that collaborations between humans and AI could revolutionize how admissions offices function.

However, the public perception of AI in schools isn't always positive. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faced backlash when it was revealed they used AI to evaluate essays. The university has since clarified that human evaluators remain integral to their admissions process, a sentiment echoed across various institutions that seek to maintain transparency and integrity in admissions practices.

As more colleges experiment with AI-driven approaches, the objective remains the same: improve efficiency, streamline processes, and ensure they honor ethical standards in evaluating student potentials.