Colleges grapple with AI-generated college admissions essays

Introduction

The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing has sparked a heated debate in educational circles about the implications of using these applications to write college application essays. While these tools can generate essays almost instantly, the question remains: are they a boon for students seeking a competitive edge or a means to cheat the system?

To explore this issue, a mock experiment was conducted in which a college admissions essay was written in response to a prompt from the Common App, specifically one asking applicants to describe a challenge or setback they faced. The challenge chosen was a personal narrative involving an anxiety disorder experienced during high school.

The experiment began with a request to ChatGPT to generate an essay based on this prompt while providing a few personal details. The AI produced an essay that was markedly formal, reminiscent of a polished academic piece, beginning with, "It all started during my early teenage years when I began experiencing severe anxiety about attending school." In contrast, the author’s version leaned towards a more casual and personal tone, expressing feelings of self-doubt and social anxiety, as illustrated by the line, "I worried constantly about saying the right thing to my peers, all people I perceived to be much cooler than me."

To further assess the differences between the two essays, both were taken to Shannon Gundy, a college admissions professional with over 30 years of experience at the University of Maryland. Gundy noted that the authenticity and humanity present in the author's essay were lacking in the AI-generated version. She pointed out that phrases such as "This obstacle not only reshaped my life but also laid the foundation for my personal growth and success" sounded too formal and disconnected from the voice of a typical high school student. Gundy emphasized the importance of authenticity in admissions essays and suggested that overly polished writing might fail to represent the true self of the applicant.

The discussion then turned to whether using AI in the college admissions process can be considered cheating. Gundy firmly stated that using such tools to produce work rather than assisting in the writing process qualifies as cheating. The tools may improve over time, but admissions officers are likely to develop ways to detect AI-created essays.

Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy—a significant player in educational resources—has introduced an AI feature in his platform designed to help students brainstorm and refine their essays without writing them for them. This feature aims to democratize access to essay writing assistance, especially for students who may not have resources like tutors or guidance counselors.

As college admissions begin to navigate this new technology landscape, there's concern about an influx of essays that sound uncanny or impersonal due to AI's involvement. Gundy expressed hope that students recognize the opportunity to present themselves genuinely, suggesting that in the long run, authenticity will resonate more with admissions committees.

Ultimately, both academics and tech companies like Google view tools like Bard as collaborative resources that can enhance a student's existing work, rather than replace the writing process altogether. Currently, many educational institutions lack clear guidelines regarding the ethics of AI use in admissions essays, creating a considerable gray area linked to the concepts of cheating and academic integrity.

In conclusion, though AI tools may provide students with shortcut advantages, they pose risks of inadequately representing an applicant's unique voice and experiences.

Keywords

AI-generated essays, college admissions, authenticity, cheating, personal statement, educational tools, student voice, admissions officers, academic integrity.

FAQ

Q: Are AI-generated essays considered cheating in college admissions?
A: According to some admissions professionals, using AI to write an essay can be considered cheating as it does not reflect the student's own work or voice.

Q: How do admissions officers view AI-generated essays?
A: Admissions officers may view AI-generated essays as lacking authenticity and personal connection, which are critical elements in gauging an applicant's character.

Q: What alternative uses of AI tools are encouraged in the admissions process?
A: Tools like Khan Academy’s AI features can be used for brainstorming and feedback, helping students to improve their essays without producing the final product themselves.

Q: How are educational institutions addressing the use of AI in admissions essays?
A: Many schools currently have no explicit rules regarding the use of AI, resulting in a gray area of academic integrity and proper use of these technologies.