‘Humans Get Tired’: It May Not Be People Reading Your College Applications Anymore At Top Schools

Prominent universities are now using artificial intelligence (AI) and other tech to review applications and rate essays submitted by prospective students, and the trend is growing.

Schools like Virginia Tech are integrating AI into their admissions process in order “to provide applicants with admissions decisions more quickly,” using the tool to score students’ essays. But at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), some students may find themselves in a video interview with an AI Chatbot, according to the Associated Press.

“Humans get tired; some days are better than others,” Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management at Virginia Tech, told the AP. “The AI does not get tired. It doesn’t get grumpy. It doesn’t have a bad day. The AI is consistent.”

Virginia Tech insists AI is only used as a second pair of eyes to score students’ essays and does not make admissions decisions alone. Previously, essays were rated by two people to ensure accuracy and impartiality; now, AI replaces one human, and a second person is brought in only if the scores dispensed by the first person and AI differ by more than two points.

Caltech admissions director Ashley Pallie said the AI interview tool is “a gauge of authenticity.”

“Can you claim this research intellectually? Is there a level of joy around your project? That passion is important to us,” Pallie told AP.

Georgia Tech meanwhile is using AI to evaluate the transcripts of transfer students, and may soon expand its use to incoming freshmen.

“It’s one more layer of delay and stress and inevitable errors,” Richard Clark, Georgia Tech’s executive director of enrollment management, told AP. “AI is going to kill that, which I’m so excited about.”