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Preserving Student Authenticity in Applications

Jun 23
3 min read

When should students use AI in their college applications? Although educators have not come to a consensus, one thing’s for sure: AI is here to stay!

Last month, I attended the Independent Educational Consultants Association’s (IECA) annual conference in Baltimore. One presentation I found particularly important was “Preserving Student Authenticity in Applications,” presented by Meredith Lombardi (Director of Education and Training Common App), Katherine Nerona-Balog (Independent Education Consultant Admit-Ed), and Samantha Scanlan (Senior Assistant Director Towson University). The presentation's central question: “How can students take ownership over their personal essay while incorporating emerging technology into their writing process?”

Student authenticity is central to a strong essay. Schools aren’t looking for “perfect” students, but ones who exemplify their character through real-life examples that demonstrate their motivations and possible contributions to the campus community. While using AI to write an essay runs counter-intuitive to this goal, there are ways this technology can assist students.

How AI helps students varies. Some software programs like Grammarly and Wordtune check over grammar and clarity in personal statements. Others like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini serve to help brainstorm ideas. They can also be “research assistants” in the college search (although information about schools isn’t always accurate). The Common App’s Student Advisory Committee has acknowledged how AI is used to review writing, organize requirements, and offer guidance. However, AI-written essays are prohibited (and generally obvious).

Some colleges are embracing AI for brainstorming and editing while others have strict bans against any uses. Take Georgia Tech, a STEM driven school that calls AI applications “powerful and valuable” tools to help refine an application. WashU allows students to use AI that checks spelling, but notes that essays should be honest representations of students' work. Under CalTech’s AI FAQs, it says “if you are still wondering whether your use of AI in crafting your essay application is unethical, ask yourself whether it would be ethical to have a trusted adult perform the same task you are asking of ChatGPT”. Differences between AI policies means it’s important to know where a school stands before applying.

Students may choose to use AI to write their essays because of how embedded the technology has become in everyday life. Nevertheless, many admissions officers might interpret unethical AI usage as demonstrating a lack of integrity or reliability, putting students at risk for rejection. Afraid your AI use is unethical? Check where it falls on this chart:

The Common App holds students to a standard of authenticity, requiring a signature attesting to that. Examples of fraud include (but are not limited to) falsifying documents, impersonating school officials, or misrepresenting your background. The inclusion of misrepresentation through artificial intelligence in August 2023 is an expansion of this policy.

It’s not limited to students. Admissions officers are experimenting with AI in their jobs as well. For instance, admissions officers are using Slate AI, which allows them to “average” grades and locate certain details on a student’s application. This tool is built to help colleges streamline their process, not plug students into an algorithm. In a constantly changing world, many admissions officers are embracing innovation while keeping human perspectives at the core of building a college class.

The college essay is one of the few places in an application where a student gets to speak directly to an admissions reader as a full human being. I am comfortable with a student using AI to research what a specific college values in its applicants. Everything else, I ask students to keep in their own hands. This is evolving territory for everyone in my field, including me. What I can promise is that I will stay intentional, stay honest with you, and always keep your student's best shot at admission at the center of every decision I make.

Look for my AI stance in a coming broadcast.

Thanks,

Pamela