How is AI used in College Admissions?

AI is playing a growing role in assisting students with the college application process by providing guidance, streamlining tasks, and improving accessibility. Here are some key ways AI can help your student apply to college:

1. College Matching and Recommendations

AI-powered platforms analyze students' academic records, extracurricular activities, interests, and preferences to suggest colleges that align with their goals. These tools consider factors such as location, financial aid, program strengths, and campus culture to personalize recommendations.

2. Application Assistance and Essay Feedback

AI tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT help students refine their application essays by providing feedback on grammar, structure, and clarity. Some platforms even analyze tone and alignment with a school’s values to help applicants improve their personal statements.

3. Deadline and Requirement Tracking

AI-powered apps help students manage application deadlines, required documents, and financial aid forms. These tools send reminders and ensure students don’t miss important dates.

4. Test Preparation and Skill Enhancement

AI-driven tutoring platforms such as Khan Academy, Duolingo, and Magoosh personalize learning experiences to help students prepare for standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL. These tools adapt to a student’s strengths and weaknesses, optimizing study plans.

5. Financial Aid and Scholarship Matching

AI assists students in finding relevant scholarships and financial aid opportunities based on their background, achievements, and financial need. Platforms like Scholly and Fastweb use AI to recommend scholarships students are most likely to qualify for.

6. AI Chatbots for Instant Support

Many colleges use AI-powered chatbots to answer students' questions about admissions, tuition, and campus life. These chatbots provide instant responses and are available 24/7, making it easier for students to get the information they need.

7. Plagiarism and Authenticity Checks

AI is used by colleges to detect potential plagiarism in application essays, ensuring fairness in the admissions process. Students can also use plagiarism-checking tools to ensure their essays are original before submission.

Interested in streamlining your admissions process? Let me know!

Emerging Trends in Higher Education

As we move through the first half of 2025 and students plan their career paths in higher education, I am sharing some things I have noticed. These emerging trends in higher education are a response to the outcome of the 2024 election as well as economic considerations.

First, there has been an consistent increase in course and program accessiblity. Online and hybrid course offerings accelerated during the COVID pandemic and demand has not subsided. Instead, there is greater demand and interest in innovative programs, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), which use digital platforms for content delivery. It makes sense that coursework and programs will remain in the digital space to foster learning. One thing to watch out for when applying to schools or weighing between programs is the training and credentialing the instructors are required to complete. Offering courses online does not result in high quality learning experiences and one way to evaluate proficiency is to look at the length of time the courses have been offered. Is this a new course? A new program without a track record of completion rates? Consider asking the department chair or academic advisor to provide graduation rates, transfer rates and job placement data after completion.

Next, the impact of AI is impacting higher education through teaching and assessment methods. If you are comparing two schools, consider inquiring about the use or implementation of AI in the classroom. Do the schools have a published policy and is the policy somethng that fosters a learning outcome? Does AI at the school(s) of interest meet ethical considerations for the degree or credential sought? If a school thoughtfully assesses how AI will impact the preparation of students for jobs and careers after graduation, the inclusion of AI will be an additive to traditional content delivery methods. If AI has not been addressed by college administrators and remains up to instructor use, consider the program or credential being sought. If you may need exposure and experience using AI to be successful, be wary if instructors prevent its use and application in their classroom.

Finally, perhaps the most troubling, funding. How will the new administration and leaders at the Department of Education determine federal grant funding? There is a known sustainability problem with the current structure of grants and aid offered to states as well as the management of the student loan programs subsidized by the government. It is wise to consider additional revenue streams for higher education expenses - self-funding through 529 plans, private loans and scholarships, debt repayment options for exchange with term employment. Some companies may pay student loans with a minimum number of employment; other companies may provide tuition benefits for spouse and children. These considerations should be investigated before selecting a college based solely on federally funded aid. The reality is that federal education funding is incredibly unpredictable and there is no telling what the new administration's budget will look like - the new budget will go into effect 1 October 2025.

All things considered, higher education and career-ed tech programs offer high school graduates an opportunity for economic stability. Without any post-high school education, the employment opportunities may be highly competitive. One thing that frequently sets applicants apart is a special certification, work experience or a skill develped through some training or course work. Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills are necessary for success in the future work force.

Have a question or want to review transcripts for transfer credit? Please reach out and set up an appointment to discuss.

Congratulations! You're accepted...now what?

Well done! If you have received several acceptance letters, now is the time to make some critical decisions about your future academic journey.

First, I recommend thoroughly reviewing all letters, including any letters for direct-admit programs like engineering, aviation, pre-professional (nursing, medical, law, etc) and making some notes. Your notes should not only be the "highlight reel" of what you like, but also the financial details and things you may not be so fond of, like freshman class requirements.

I highly encourage creating a separate spreadsheet for each school focused on the financial offers. Be sure to include institutional aid, anticipated federal aid (may not come until March/April due to FAFSA analysis) and external scholarships or offers. If you work for an employer who provides book stipends or other funding, be sure to note the qualifications in your spreadsheet. Maintaining a 20-hour work week while pursuing 14-16 credit hours may be challenging.

After you have the financial spreadsheet and the highlight reel, consider the negatives. Will the school be more than three hours from home? Will you be an out-to-state student requiring a car? Many of these may have been considered during the application stage, however, they come into focus once acceptance and aid offers come into the picture. It is not uncommon for schools to prohibit freshman from having a car their first year and also requiring first year students to live on campus. In 2024, housing was an issue at top schools so much so they partnered with off-campus complexes and private maintenance companies to increase accommodations. Purdue University (Lafayette), University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and University of Tennessee (Knoxville) saw housing applications increase anywhere from 18 to 24% for academic year 2024-2025.

Can you negotiate financial aid offers? Maybe. For example, if you have an offer for $10,000 to attend a private, liberal arts school for a graphic arts program and you have a $5,000 merit-only offer to attend a large, public, state-school, it would not be appropriate to ask the latter school to increase their aid offer based on the program. However, it may be beneficial to compare merit offers from in-state and out-of-state schools and reference the difference in price based on residency. Perhaps the school will offer in-state residency for students who live in the residence hall AND if so, would the school be willing to match the merit aid offer? Referencing the academic program as well as the cost of attendance in making a decision is acceptable.

Jeff Selingo is well-regarded for answering the "Who Gets In" question. I refer clients to his work on the "buyer" and "seller" lists. There are colleges that "buy" students - in short, they offer aid based on a wide variety of reasons. In contrast, there are "sellers". Seller schools do not need to "buy" students as they receive an over-abundance of applicants and can sift through to accept only the top-tier. Think of the Harvard, Notre Dame, Penn and MIT, Ivy-league schools with a pedigree. If you are interested in learning more, I recommend reviewing the recent "buyer and seller" list here. This will help you evaluate your aid offers as well!

Finally, respond to all acceptance letters, especially those you are declining. The next four months are going to be exceptionally busy for admission and financial aid offices. By taking the time to respond with a professional email or return letter (depends on school), you are allowing these folks to make offers to students on waiting lists or fee up money for other students who are on the fence. Additionally, once you have accepted, make the deposit for your campus housing. In some cases, you may consider making the non-refundable deposit of $75 or $100 before you know...just because housing can be a huge issue if not reserved early.

Congratulations on getting accepted! Remember: professionalism and courtesy will take you far at your future alma mater! Have questions about program or school acceptances? Happy to connect - just reach out here.