Many U.S. colleges already utilize AI tools in their undergraduate admissions processes. This helps them handle the rising number of applications. According to a survey by Intelligent, admissions offices projected that their AI usage would climb from 50 percent in 2023 to 80 percent in 2024. While numbers for 2025 are not yet available, it is safe to assume that an even higher number of colleges will be using AI in the next admissions cycle. These tools aid in tasks such as screening applications, evaluating essays, analyzing interviews, and detecting plagiarism or AI-generated content. 

A common AI task is examining applicant data—for example, reading transcripts and academic records. AI can automatically pull out GPAs, course details, and other key metrics. This speeds up the initial screening. For instance, Texas A&M University–Commerce and North Carolina State University both use an AI tool called Sia. Sia extracts a student's coursework, grades, and credits. This helps admissions staff quickly evaluate transfer applicants and ensures consistency in their evaluation process.

Instead of manually reading each transcript, AI does the routine work. Human staff concentrates on a holistic review of applicants. In many large public universities, AI now goes beyond basic formulas. It uses machine learning to spot patterns that predict student success.

College essays have always been subjective. Now, colleges are turning to AI to bring consistency to this process: AI can check writing quality, structure, and content themes. 

A key example is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They use a tool called Project Essay Grade (PEG). PEG scores each essay's grammar, complexity, and style on a 1–4 scale. Humans still read the essays for content. If a reader disagrees with the AI score, they can override it. In other words, no decision is made by AI alone. The tool's main role is to save time and ensure consistency.

Texas A&M University also uses AI to scan essays for keywords or traits that indicate a strong candidate. AI looks for signs of leadership, perseverance, or alignment with the school's values. It flags essays for closer human review. 

However, generative AI (like ChatGPT) has made schools more cautious. In 2024, Duke University stopped scoring essays by writing quality alone, acknowledging that AI could produce too polished essays. Now, Duke uses essays to get more insight into the student's personality and experiences, rather than assessing their writing abilities. Read more about Duke's decision here.

Some schools deploy AI chatbots for initial interviews. Applicants answer questions in a chat or online form. The AI then analyzes their responses for keywords, sentiment, or other signals. This helps admissions staff decide which candidates receive a more in-depth human interview. Other schools utilize AI to transcribe and analyze interviews conducted by humans. The AI converts recorded interviews into text and highlights phrases that show enthusiasm or preparedness.

Some graduate programs have been using AI in interviews for quite some time. For example, Georgia Tech tested a machine-learning model that replicated their graduate admissions decisions with about 93% accuracy. While Georgia Tech doesn't use it yet for undergrads, it shows the potential that lies in AI. Overall, AI in interviews is still a supplement. Admissions officers say they won't rely solely on AI but see it as a helpful tool as application numbers continue to grow.

As generative AI tools have become more and more popular, admissions offices worry about students no longer writing their own essays. Many schools use AI-driven plagiarism detectors to check if an essay was written by software. Standard tools include Turnitin's AI feature, GPTZero, and Originality.ai. These scan essays for patterns typical of AI-generated text. If a school prohibits AI-written essays, these tools flag possible issues. Traditional plagiarism checkers (which catch copied internet content) are still in use as well.

However, AI detectors are not perfect. They can produce false positives—flagging a genuine human essay as AI-generated. Non-native English speakers or very polished writers can be accidentally flagged. That's why human judgment remains crucial. Admissions staff use AI detectors as a first check, then review flagged essays carefully. Few schools publicly ban the use of AI outright. Instead, they set clear integrity expectations and rely on human review alongside AI tools.

For a deeper dive into just how unreliable these detection tools can be, I recently tested whether popular AI detectors could actually catch a completely AI-generated college essay. The results were surprisingly concerning.

AI supports admissions beyond application reviews. Key examples include:

AI Chatbots for Applicant Support
Many schools deploy chatbots on their admissions websites. These bots provide answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about deadlines, required documents, and financial aid. They also send reminders about missing materials or upcoming events. Chatbots operate 24/7, giving quick help when staff aren't available. Georgia State University famously uses a chatbot to reduce "summer melt" by guiding admitted students through enrollment steps.

Predictive Analytics for Enrollment Management
Some schools use AI models to predict which admitted students will actually enroll (also known as 'yield prediction'). These models analyze past data, including academic records, demographics, and engagement. This helps admissions teams decide which students to reach out to more aggressively. However, predictive models can reflect biases—historical data may skew against underrepresented groups. As a result, many schools treat these predictions as advisory rather than definitive, with human oversight to ensure fairness.

CollegeVine's AI Recruiter
At least 75 colleges use this tool for their recruitment funnel. It initiates multi-channel outreach—making phone calls, sending personalized emails and SMS, and integrating print materials—using individualized content. All interactions are transcribed and saved in the school's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, capturing sentiment and language patterns. The AI operates 24/7, handling inbound calls and ensuring students receive timely responses. It also tracks emotional cues, enabling staff to spot eager or hesitant prospects. CollegeVine claims that colleges report higher engagement and larger, more qualified applicant pools. And high school students often welcome AI interactions and sometimes even prefer them over talking to an admissions officer. 

Using AI in admissions raises several concerns:

Algorithmic Bias
If AI learns from past admissions data, it can reproduce biases. This might unfairly disadvantage certain groups. Schools must train AI on diverse data and test for bias. Most institutions utilize AI for routine tasks while retaining human oversight for final decisions. 

Read more about the risk of perpetuating existing biases through AI.

Transparency
Applicants should know when AI tools are in use. Some feel it's unfair if AI secretly influences admissions decisions. Institutions vary in their openness to disclosing their use of AI. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is monitoring developments but has not yet set formal guidelines. 

Fairness in AI Detection
AI plagiarism detectors are helpful but imperfect. False positives can happen, especially for non-native English speakers or those with polished writing. Rather than outright rejecting an AI-flagged essay, many schools let applicants explain or provide additional evidence of authenticity. The easiest way to show that you wrote your essay yourself is to use Google Docs or another word processor that automatically tracks edits and revision history.

Legal and Privacy Issues
AI processing of applicant data must comply with privacy laws and avoid discriminatory outcomes. Institutions need policies on data protection and fairness. Overall, AI should enhance efficiency without sacrificing equity or personal evaluation.

The genie is out of the bottle. AI in college admissions isn't coming—it's already here. While colleges maintain that humans make final decisions, AI is increasingly influential in determining which applications get serious human attention in the first place.

Currently, most institutions use AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for human judgment. But as application volumes continue to grow and AI capabilities advance, that balance may shift. The smart move? Learn the system now.

AI isn't your enemy in admissions; it's simply the new reality. Students who understand how colleges use these tools can craft applications that work effectively within this system, giving them a clear advantage over those who remain unaware. 

Reach out to us with your thoughts or if you would like to learn more about how we can help you tailor your application strategy.

More articles discussing AI in college admissions:

Navigating AI in College Admissions

AI - A threat to college diversity?

Can AI Detection Tools Really Catch AI-Written College Essays?

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