ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence language software launched in November 2022 by OpenAI. Trained on a large database of text, this chatbot is capable of generating conversational responses to various prompts. The implications of this software are huge, and the whole world is abuzz with what this technology could mean for various industries moving forward.
Like with all new inventions, people’s emotions range from awe and excitement to skepticism and dread. One of the questions on many people’s minds is, how will ChatGPT affect college admissions and the college application essay? Although it’s a bit too early to tell, college admissions counselors and officers have several theories of how ChatGPT could affect college admissions.
According to its website, OpenAI strives “to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.” The company’s latest product is ChatGPT, a chatbot capable of writing essays and other short responses after being given a prompt. According to a New York Times article, ChatGPT is “the best artificial intelligence chatbot ever released to the general public.” It is also worth noting that more than one million signed up for a test trial within the first five days of its release.
ChatGPT can be used in a myriad of ways. Many people have plans to use the platform to write business proposals, cover letters, professional bios, website content, and more. In other words, ChatGPT could eventually replace the need for copywriters and other writing professionals. But what about college essays?
Although ChatGPT is capable of creating logical, grammatically correct sentences and incorporating certain data when prompted, is it capable of creativity? After all, great writing isn’t just about communicating key facts; great writing requires creativity, sensitivity, and a unique perspective.
So, is ChatGPT capable of writing a college essay? Well, as it happens, Forbes already prompted ChatGPT to write two college essays, both of which you can view here. The remarkable thing about these essays is that Forbes was able to request revisions and specify a total word count.
Let’s take a look at some of the actual prompts Forbes used:
After reviewing the first draft, which took ChatGPT less than 10 minutes to write, Forbes made another request:
“Thanks, GPT, this is a great start. Please keep what you have but add more information about our student’s background and work in the restaurant.”
Pleased with the results, Forbes made their final request, asking ChatGPT to combine these two sections into a single essay. Although these two essays aren’t entirely expressive or unique, they are both coherent and professional.
Jim Jump, a college admissions counselor and academic dean, responded to these two essays by saying, “I found both essays to resemble cliché essays, with neither answering the prompt in a convincing way. They also didn’t sound like an essay a teenager would write, but rather an essay a teenager might write with major assistance and editing by an adult.” You can read Jim Jump’s full opinions here.
So, what does all of this mean for college admissions?
A great college essay requires authenticity, creativity, and critical thought. College admissions officers want to learn more about who you are as a person and what your values are. It’s important that they feel inspired by your essay somehow. This might mean making them laugh. Or considering an entirely new perspective. In other words, there are lots of components of a strong personal statement that simply cannot be captured through using ChatGPT.
College essays are key admissions factors, especially at highly-selective institutions. College essays help personalize the admissions process and advocate for more holistic college admissions standards. But what if a student submits an essay written by ChatGPT?
While it’s debatable whether or not a college admissions officer will be able to tell whether or not the student actually wrote the essay, it’s important to highlight the fact that AI-written documents cannot capture a student’s unique values, ideas, and perspectives. So while a ChatGPT college essay may be adequate, it probably won’t be exceptional — which is what Ivy League institutions are looking for.
Most institutions of higher education require students to sign an academic integrity contract upon attending. It’s possible that as the popularity of ChatGPT rises, colleges may ask students to verify that they wrote the essay themselves upon submitting their college applications. Sort of like the “I am not a robot” prompt you to get on your computer, where you have to select all the pictures of stop signs or cars. Although ChatGPT is a new technology, it’s likely that colleges will view ChatGPT college essays as a form of plagiarism.
There is already AI-detecting software that can determine whether a robot or a human wrote a text. This app is called GPTZero. It’s likely that more platforms such as this will be developed in the near future and that college professors and college admissions officers will use these platforms to screen essays for AI-generated content.
It’s important to note that ChatGPT is not necessarily programmed to be culturally aware or appropriate. Furthermore, students’ unique perspectives and creativity simply cannot be captured through this program. So, while ChatGPT is an extraordinary technological advancement, many ethical considerations are at stake.
Discover how ChatGPT, an AI language software by OpenAI, may influence college admissions & application essays. Can it replace authentic, creative student writing? Learn about its potential implications.
Students should focus on grades, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and a strong personal statement if leaving out test scores.
Uncover the college application review process, the roles of admissions officers, committees & readers, and what they seek in applicants. Boost your chances of acceptance with our insights.
Students pour over their college applications every year, but who actually reads them? You’ve likely heard terms like “college admissions officer,” “college admissions committee,” and “admissions reader” thrown around. But what do these terms actually mean? And how does the admissions process work?
In this article, we will discuss the roles of college admissions officers, admissions committees, and admissions readers. We will also examine questions such as: How long does it take admissions to review an application? What do colleges look for in applicants? And how many admissions officers are there?
To start, what is a college admissions officer, and what do they do?
A college admissions officer is responsible for reviewing college applications within a specific region. Depending on the school, an admissions reader might review your application before passing it along to your admissions officer. Colleges know that each high school is unique and has different opportunities and standards. Therefore, in an effort to be fair, college admissions officers are assigned a specific region. Eventually, these officers become experts on the high schools within this region.
High schools also submit school profiles along with students’ college applications. These profiles describe the courses and opportunities available to students. College admissions officers, admissions committees, and admissions readers consider each student’s application within the context of their high school’s profile. College admissions officers, however, are often most familiar with the specific high schools in question.
It’s important to realize that the college admissions officer reviewing your application is determined by where you live. If a college representative has visited your high school, it is most likely your college admissions officer. After all, the best way for college admissions officers to familiarize themselves with a high school is by visiting. This is why you should introduce yourself to them if the opportunity arises.
So, what do admissions officers do, specifically?
In addition to reviewing your transcripts, test scores, activities, strong personal statement, supplemental essays, and recommendations, college admissions officers summarize your application and present their summary and impressions to a larger college admissions committee.
Of course, not every college has an official admissions committee. Generally, though, the more selective the school, the more thorough and formal the admissions process. That said, if you are interested in learning how to get into an Ivy League, you should familiarize yourself with the college admissions committee review process.
It’s also important to keep in mind that college admissions officers look at your social media accounts. After all, admissions officers want to gain a holistic understanding of each applicant, and for better or for worse, students’ internet personas are very telling of their interests and values. So make sure your social media presence is appropriate and presentable!
You’re probably wondering how much time admissions officers spend on each application. On average, college admissions officers review several applications within an hour. That said, if your application makes it through the first round of consideration, an admissions officer will spend much more time with your application. Suppose an admissions officer or admissions reader is not sure whether or not your application is a good fit for the college. In that case, they will seek out a second, or sometimes even a third, opinion before bringing an application to the admissions committee.
Each college approaches the admissions process differently. That said, there is a lot of overlap, especially when it comes to highly-selective schools, such as Ivy League institutions. Generally speaking, the more selective the school, the more likely it will be to have an official college admissions committee and a formal review. But what actually happens during the college admissions committee review, and what do colleges look for in an applicant?
In order to be seriously considered for admission, a student has to be a good academic fit. This means that their high school GPA, history of course rigor, and test scores (if submitted) are up to the college’s standards. Even though many colleges adhere to holistic college admissions standards, if a student does not meet the school’s qualifying GPA and test scores, their applications will quickly be sorted out.
If your application makes it past the first round of considerations, your application may be passed on to another reader or be reviewed by a committee. At this stage in the admissions process, your college essays, list of activities, and letters of recommendation will become the focus.
Each college is different, so you probably won’t know for sure who reviewed your application specifically. Rest assured; however, admissions readers, admissions officers, and admissions committees are all professionals who take each application seriously.
There are many factors that admissions officers look for in an applicant. Still, generally, they are looking for academically capable, passionate students who are intent on making a difference and being involved in their communities. This is why preparing thoughtful, personal statements and supplemental essays is essential. College letters of recommendation are another valued aspect of your college application because they convey how others perceive you and what you’re like in the classroom.
How colleges decide who gets in depends on several factors, including extracurricular activities, high school GPA, standardized test scores, volunteer hours, college essays, and letters of recommendation. Colleges look carefully at every aspect of your application. So if you’re wondering, do colleges read letters of recommendation? The answer is yes. Likewise, they also review each of your college essays, in addition to all of the other sections of your application. That said, approach each aspect of your college applications with care. If you need help staying organized during the college application process or developing an application strategy, you may want to consider hiring a college counselor. Here at Prepory, we have the resources and expertise to help you achieve all of your college-related goals. So if you have questions about how colleges decide who to accept or how colleges read applications, reach out to learn more about our services.
