Comment Section for Applying to College? Here’s How A.I. Tools Might Hurt, or Help. - The New York Times

This New York Times article discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of using AI tools, such as ChatGPT, in the college application process. The author, Natasha Singer, reports on her interviews with various university officials, teachers, and students, exploring how AI might change the nature of a key part of the application: the personal essay. Some admissions officials worry that students using AI to generate essays could be considered plagiarism, as seen in a Yale University podcast episode concerning the subject. These officials argue that essays are intended to be introspective and reflective, and AI cannot effectively replicate this aspect. However, others believe AI tools could democratize the process, especially for students with limited resources or guidance. These tools could help students brainstorm ideas, generate drafts, and hone their essays. The author herself tested AI tools to create responses to short answer questions from several Ivy League schools and found the AI-produced drafts to be surprisingly passable with some tweaks. AI tools could also help students conduct targeted college searches, condense lists of extracurricular activities, and even generate ideas for college admission essays, as seen in Khan Academy's AI chatbot, Khanmigo. The author concludes that while AI tools aren't perfect substitutes for human guidance, they offer valuable instant feedback and could make the essay writing process more enjoyable for students.