How AI Is Being Used For University Admissions

• Artificial Intelligence, Education
• Posted: 8 months ago

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now crucial in many industries, and higher education is no exception. AI has found its way into university admissions processes and changed the way institutions assess and select potential students. The admissions process is known for being labour-intensive, subjective, and inefficient. This makes it an ideal area for AI to step in. The introduction of AI in admissions has transformed the process of university admissions.

The Possibilites of AI in Univeristy Admissions

AI is a broad field with many sub-disciplines, each with a unique role to play in university admissions. At the most basic level, AI can handle sifting through lots of applications and organize them based on things like GPA and test scores. Automating this cuts down on manual work, saving time and resources. Importantly, it also lowers the chance of human mistakes or biases that might happen during the process.

Within AI, machine learning offers even more fascinating possibilities. AI looks at past data about admitted students and their success at the university. By analyzing past data about admitted students and their success at the university, these sophisticated algorithms can identify patterns and trends. The result is that universities can further refine their selection criteria. This ensures they remain responsive to academic trends, societal changes, and industry demands.

For example, if a university wants to boost its computer science program due to the growing demand for tech experts, machine learning can find and choose applicants with potential in that area. Machine learning provides universities with a focused and dynamic recruitment strategy that fits today’s needs.

The Growing Role of AI in University Admissions

In recent years, the use of AI in university admissions has seen a significant increase. According to a survey conducted by Intelligent, an online education magazine, 50% of higher education admissions offices are currently using AI in their review process. An additional 30% have plans to incorporate AI by 2024. This rise in AI shows a change in the thinking of admissions professionals who see the value of AI tools.

Initially met with scepticism, AI tools are now being embraced by admissions counsellors. These tools help in various parts of the admissions process, like checking transcripts and recommendation letters. They also help review personal essays, and can even conduct preliminary interviews with applicants. By automating these tasks, admissions professionals can work more efficiently and focus their attention on the important parts of the evaluation process.

The Benefits of AI in Admissions

Using AI in university admissions offers several advantages. One key advantage is processing a large number of applications quickly. Admissions officers often face time constraints when reviewing applications. The average read time of an application is only 6 minutes. AI tools can analyze applications at a faster rate, saving time and allowing admissions professionals to provide more thorough evaluations.

AI also helps identify specific traits and qualities in prospective students. By using keyword searches and analysis, AI can identify personal qualities that make for a more successful student. This includes qualities such as leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and intrinsic motivation. These qualities are crucial for success in higher education. Identifying them helps admissions officers make informed decisions when selecting candidates.

Additionally, AI tools can reduce bias in the admissions process. Human readers might unintentionally introduce biases based on their opinions. However, AI algorithms can average the opinions of several readers, providing a more fair assessment. This ensures a fairer evaluation of applicants and minimizes the influence of individual biases.

Improving the Prospective Student Experience with AI

Using AI in university admissions isn’t only helpful for the institutions; it also has many benefits for prospective students. AI-powered chatbots are becoming more common, providing students with 24/7 support. These chatbots are equipped to answer hundreds of frequently asked questions and offer guidance at each step. Having access to this information makes the admission procedure less daunting and more user-friendly.

AI can also personalize the admission process for each student. By gathering information and using AI algorithms to analyze interests, students can receive information that aligns with their preferences. This could include details about specific courses, research opportunities, campus life, scholarships, and more. This customization improves a student’s connection with the university, influencing their decision to enroll and enhancing their overall experience.

AI Tools in Action

The implementation of AI in university admissions involves various tools and techniques. Admissions counsellors commonly use AI for reviewing transcripts and recommendation letters. They run transcripts through a keyword search to identify GPA and test score thresholds. Similarly, recommendation letters are scanned to ensure they are generally positive and free of red flags.

Personal essays are also reviewed using AI tools, which can analyze the content and structure of the essays. AI-powered detectors can identify machine-generated writing, ensuring the authenticity of the applicant’s work. Additionally, some institutions use AI chatbots for preliminary interviews. Universities also use AI chatbots to transcribe and analyze candidate interviews with alumni and counsellors.

Real-World Examples of AI in University Admissions

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in university admissions. They trained an AI model named RoBERTa to identify seven desirable personal qualities in applicants, using a rating system built by 36 college admissions officers. The model was then used to analyze over 306,000 student essays. The results showed a high correlation between AI analysis and human readers, suggesting that AI could process large volumes of applications more efficiently and consistently.

However, the use of AI in such decisions should be approached with caution. While these models are not sentient AI, they are still making judgments based on human input. Interestingly, AI may offer an advantage in reducing bias, as it averages the opinions of specific readers into a single institutional view. This could potentially provide a fairer evaluation of applicants compared to individual human readers.

The Role of AI in Promoting Equality and Diversity

One remarkable way AI is transforming university admissions is by promoting diversity and equality. In the conventional admissions process, unconscious bias often unwittingly infiltrates decision-making. However, AI can be trained to ignore factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic background. It evaluates applications based only on academic merit. This helps universities build a diverse student body and create an inclusive environment.

Ethical Concerns and Transparency

Despite the advantages of AI in admissions, there are ethical concerns surrounding its implementation. In a survey by Intelligent, two-thirds of respondents expressed concerns about ethical issues related to the use of AI in admissions. Their main concerns were transparency and understanding of how AI tools are being used.

The lack of transparency worries students, parents, and counsellors. It is important that universities and colleges provide clear guidelines and information about how they are using AI tools in the admissions process. Transparency helps address concerns and ensures a fair evaluation of applicants.

The Black Box Phenomenon

One big concern is the ‘black box’ phenomenon associated with AI systems – the lack of transparency and understanding of how the algorithm arrives at certain decisions. Universities must ensure their AI systems are not only accurate and efficient but also transparent, explainable, and held accountable.

Importantly, while AI can, in theory, eliminate bias, these systems are only as unbiased as their programming allows. If unconscious biases exist within the training data or the design of the algorithm, the AI system could inadvertently perpetuate these biases. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure a diverse team of professionals oversees the development of these AI systems to ensure their impartiality.

The Future of AI in Admissions

As AI technology advances, its role in university admissions is likely to expand. However, it is essential to strike a balance between the benefits of AI and the need for human judgment and context. Admissions officers must carefully consider the consequences of relying solely on AI tools for decision-making.

While AI can provide efficiency and consistency in the evaluation process, it is crucial to maintain a human touch. Admissions decisions should still involve the expertise and judgment of experienced professionals who can consider the broader context of an applicant’s background and experiences.

Transforming the University Admissions Process

AI has the potential to transform the university admissions process, making it more efficient and less biased. It helps review transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, and conduct interviews, letting admissions officers focus on key aspects of candidate selection.

However, ethical concerns and the need for transparency remain important considerations. Institutions must provide clear guidelines and information about the use of AI in admissions, ensuring fairness and minimizing bias. The future of AI in admissions lies in striking a balance between the benefits of technology and the necessity of human judgment and context.

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, AI will undoubtedly play an increasingly significant role in shaping the admissions process. By responsibly and ethically harnessing the power of AI, universities can enhance their evaluation methods and ensure a fair and inclusive admissions process for all prospective students