As college application season warms up, seniors across the country are turning to a multitude of tools that can assist them with preparing for their essays. Over the years, students have benefited from resources such as college counselors and advisors. The cost of private counselors has skyrocketed, many feel, so they have begun to explore other resources like artificial intelligence for help brainstorming ideas and improving essays.
While some see AI platforms as helpful writing resources, others question to what extent it should be used in the application process.
Though AI is often criticized for its negative impacts on students, many are finding ways to turn it into an approachable route to success. Senior Asher Kausch believes his peers do not use AI to cheat their way through the applications but to enhance their work.
“I personally don’t think that it (AI) should be used to have text be generated (but) to get ideas based on that,” Kausch said. “I know a lot of my friends use AI, not to write their essays for them but to give them feedback on what they’ve already written.”
Some seniors such as Paige Houle are choosing to avoid tools like ChatGPT due to worries of its usefulness. Houle expressed her concern of how original AI can really be.
“You want something new they (colleges) haven’t seen before,” Houle said. “AI is not very original, and you’re going to end up with something that’s getting told to all the kids. Since you’re applying with so many people, you need to find a way to stand out.”
While technology offers feedback and support, AI does not always produce personal or unique results when it comes to essays, some say. Similar to Houle, senior Chase Fu also expressed his fear of losing his personal voice within his writing.
“If everyone puts their ideas into the AI enough, then they’ll (AI) start taking your style of writing,” Fu said. “When you’re actually using it to do your personal work that the schools want to see from you, for example, the essays or your activities, then it becomes a problem.”
According to Newsweek, 85% of American students use artificial intelligence for everyday school work. Though AI has been used in the past as a way to streamline schoolwork, Fu pointed out the reason for its increased use is because of the cost concerns of traditional college resources.
“There’s a lot of concerns. Firstly, for private counselors, there’s a lot of money problems because in the Bay Area, private counselors are very expensive,” Fu said. “They may not be as helpful as you want them to, even if you ask for some essay help.”
In addition to expenses emerging as an issue, social anxiety has also become a factor. To some, speaking to a robot can feel more approachable, especially when discussing heavy topics.
“A lot of people, especially in our generation, (are) afraid of face-to-face interactions,” Kausch said. “AI is less likely to make you feel like you’re being judged or you’re doing a bad job.”
As college admissions grow more competitive and complicated, students are using digital tools for accessible and affordable guidance. Though online tools have come a long way in supporting students, counselor Tanya Silva emphasized the importance of balancing convenience with authenticity.
“It (AI) helps you come up with the right words sometimes, but it has to be true to who we are and what we really mean to say,” Silva said. “It can be a valuable tool, but we have to be cautious how we’re using it and how often we’re using it.”