Artificial intelligence has seemingly found its way into almost any industry and profession. In most cases, it has enabled businesses to automate workflows, significantly reducing costs and delivery times. Unfortunately, despite offering certain tangible benefits, not everyone is excited about the technology.
Besides the fact that AI might potentially leave millions of people without a job, the technology has also done irreparable damage to certain fields. One of the most affected industries is education, with students relying on tools such as ChatGPT to finish their homework, write essays, and even cheat on exams.
In this article, we will explain how technology has affected colleges and changed the work of admissions officers.
Why Are AI-Generated Essays a Problem?
Every Ivy League college admissions consultant worth his salt will tell you that AI essays are a form of cheating. Even if you input the most important data into a software, it still shouldn’t be considered an original piece. On top of that, there are other concerns that admission officers take into account:
Authenticity
Most students believe that essays are nothing more than personal information presented on a piece of paper. However, there’s much more to them than meets the eye. Colleges use these essays to evaluate a person’s creativity, individuality, and experiences.
As such, essays offer valuable insights that plain data doesn’t cover. As mentioned, while AI can follow your instructions, it doesn’t produce the same narratives or self-reflections. Only you can offer personal insights and testify to your struggles, which college officers will quickly notice.
Fairness
Of course, there’s always a question of fairness when it comes to artificial intelligence technology. We have to consider that some applicants will always write by hand, which might put them at a disadvantage. Funny enough, those who can afford advanced software might even have an advantage over other AI users.
The use of this technology can jeopardize the entire admissions process, increasing the odds for candidates who shouldn’t be considered. There is also a question of whether colleges want to work with people who are prone to cheating.
Integrity
Speaking of cheating, colleges view essays as part of their commitment to academic excellence and honesty. Using AI-powered tools is generally considered misrepresentation, which is no better than traditional plagiarism.
Colleges’ admissions officers want to assess each person’s unique voice, instead of going through hundreds of pages of dull, generic content. All of these factors have prompted schools to implement new policies on AI use transparency, with officers relying on detection tools to flag deceptive behavior.
4 Ways Colleges Have Responded
Although education organizations are considered slow adopters and reactive, colleges around the world had to quickly respond to the AI threat. Many of them have already introduced new measures for tackling the threat, with these 4 being the most common ones:
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AI Detection Software
The best way to counter AI is with AI. Colleges are now using either 100% AI-driven process or a hybrid human/AI model to evaluate essays. By relying on detection programs, schools can easily notice fraudulent patterns, such as a lack of detail, generic phrasing, or stylistic uniformity,
The only problem with AI detection software is that it doesn’t always work. While it is a relatively reliable technology, you still require human input to avoid flagging the wrong person.
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Clear Policies
The best way to address potential misuse is to introduce reliable policies. Nowadays, many colleges limit AI use to brainstorming and grammar checking. However, there are also those who have banned these programs altogether.
Many schools will openly ask students how they wrote their essays to increase overall transparency. The main focus is on increasing fairness for all applicants and ensuring that the college admissions officers have a better understanding of each person’s life experience and character.
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Essay Formats
Another innovative method of addressing AI overflow is through new essay formats. Schools are now experimenting with different types of content, encouraging students to submit videos or respond to short-answer prompts. These formats exploit AI’s limitations, requiring students to provide all data manually.
Another interesting pilot project involved proctored writing samples. In this particular case, applicants are required to write an essay in real time, which minimizes the chance of abuse.
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Combined Review
As mentioned, many schools use a combination of AI and human review to evaluate applicants’ essays. This is perhaps one of the best ways to address the issue while minimizing the work for admissions officers.
Based on the initial data, the hybrid model is very accurate without sacrificing fairness. The good news is that admissions officers still have the last say, allowing them to fix potential injustice if AI software made a wrongful accusation.
Best Tips for Applicants
It is worth noting that AI technology has affected applicants equally, regardless of whether they use it. So, if you plan to use it, here are a few things you must know in advance:
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- Learn About Policies: We recommend using AI only if a college permits it. Otherwise, it is too much of a gamble.
- Be Transparent: If a college allows the technology, explain how you’ve used it. Again, stay within the school’s policies to avoid trouble.
- Personalize the Content: Even if you use software for an essay, you should thoroughly edit the content. Personalize the essay as much as possible to stand out.
- Consider Different Formats: If a school allows different formats, you should try them all out. For example, a video essay could be much better suited to your persona.
- Practice Writing: Ultimately, it is always better to write your essay by hand. If you’re unsure of your skills, we recommend that you start practicing well before applying to a school.
Maximizing AI Tools
If you’re adamant about using software for your essay, first get acquainted with the school’s policies. You can even ask their admissions officers how you can use these solutions without getting flagged. That way, you’ll finish the application much faster, and you can increase your odds of getting accepted.
