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More students are using AI, like ChatGPT, to help write their college and grad school essays. But now, admissions committees are catching on to certain words and phrases that signal AI involvement.
For example, the term “tapestry” is a red flag, and consultants report seeing it frequently in essays, indicating potential AI use.
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Colleges are responding with various policies. Some, like the University of Southern California, have a strict “zero-tolerance” approach, while others, like the University of California, allow AI for brainstorming but insist on independently written final drafts.
The Common Application considers AI-generated content as plagiarism, and its consequences can be severe.
As AI tools become more popular, a new demand has emerged for human editors to make AI-generated essays sound more authentic. These editors help maintain the personal and genuine voice of the writer, which AI can sometimes lack.
Despite efforts to regulate AI use in admissions, detecting AI-generated content remains challenging. Some tools claiming to identify AI involvement face criticism for their accuracy issues.
Admissions officers stress the importance of essays as a space for applicants to express themselves genuinely and caution against relying too much on AI, which may compromise the individuality of the writing.
The evolving use of AI in college admissions raises questions about fairness, transparency, and the role of technology in shaping the application process.
Students explore AI capabilities while educators and institutions grapple with the need for clear guidelines to uphold the integrity of admissions.
