ChatGPT: How Will It Affect College Admissions?
April 18, 2023 | By Daniel Strom
When I first heard about ChatGPT, I imagined it was a glorified search engine. However, after exploring its capabilities, it became clear that ChatGPT is an amazing feat that is both revolutionary and disruptive to life as we know it. But how will it affect the college admissions realm?
Short answer: It won’t. As the world of artificial intelligence keeps evolving and making its way into various sectors, students will inevitably be tempted to take shortcuts. However, relying on an AI language model like ChatGPT to craft an essay will do more harm than good. Here's why:
1) ChatGPT doesn't allow a student's voice to shine through
A crucial aspect of a college admissions essay is showcasing your authentic voice, writing style, and perspective. AI language models like ChatGPT churn out essays that lack the personal touch that make your writing truly stand out. Admissions officers can spot robotic, impersonal writing a mile away, and an AI-written essay will likely raise red flags, leading to rejection.
2) ChatGPT cannot tell a genuine story about YOU
Admissions essays are more than just highlighting academic achievements or extracurricular activities; they are an opportunity to share a personal story that is uniquely yours. Reflective writing is key here, which ChatGPT simply isn't capable of. Even if you feed ChatGPT some background information about your experiences, it cannot possibly write about you in a PERSONAL and PERSONABLE way. A successful application should make admissions officers feel as though they have met you through your stories that explain how you have become, well, YOU! Since AI models like ChatGPT can't honestly know you (at least not yet), they will produce impersonal essays that don't do justice to your experiences and talents.
3) ChatGPT lacks the awareness to adhere to your personal brand
In addition to sharing a personal story, college admissions essays are not just about being written well—they are an opportunity for you to highlight your personal brand. I like to call this the Application Brand, which is an internal strategy in which the applicant has a common thread connecting every aspect of their application, reflecting their passions and interests. If this concept does not make sense to you, I strongly suggest you read my blog, which explains the Application Brand concept in detail. ChatGPT cannot capture the nuances of your interests and passions, meaning an AI-generated essay won't accurately represent your Application Brand and may dramatically hurt your chances of acceptance.
Overall, while ChatGPT's capabilities are impressive, it's not suited for college admissions. To maximize your chances of getting admitted, focus on showcasing your genuine voice, personal story, and unique brand in your essay. If AI ever becomes capable of this, the college application process will undoubtedly transform. Until then, take charge and show admissions officers who you really are!
About Daniel Strom
Daniel Strom co-founded Elite Scholar Advising, which provides tailored advice to college applicants worldwide. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, where he also developed admissions experience through his role as an admissions representative. In addition, he also served on the Northwestern Alumni Admissions Interviewing Council. Daniel has helped hundreds of college applicants across the world realize their full potential by gaining admission to their dream schools.