Why It’s Time for College Admissions to Embrace Artificial Intelligence, Cautiously

The college admissions process is one of the most high-stakes systems in modern education, yet it remains remarkably analog in its operations. Admissions officers spend months reading through essays, cross-checking academic records, and debating subjective qualities like “fit” and “potential.” The process, while deeply human, is stretched thin. Between rising application volumes and increasing demands for equity, many institutions are struggling to keep pace. Something has to change. Artificial intelligence may be part of the answer.

But AI is not a silver bullet. While the technology offers a path to more efficient and potentially fairer admissions, it must be implemented with caution, thoughtfulness, and humility. This is not about replacing human judgment. It is about enhancing it with tools that can process information at scale and reduce some of the systemic limitations baked into manual decision-making.

Beyond Paperwork: Building Smarter Admissions Systems

Let’s start with the obvious. Reviewing thousands of applications is a monumental task. Even the most experienced admissions officers can fall victim to fatigue, inconsistency, or unintentional bias. A student’s fate can hinge on how many essays a reviewer has already read that day or whether an applicant’s achievements are framed in a way that resonates with the reader’s experiences.

AI presents an opportunity to introduce structure and consistency into that process. Algorithms can be trained to parse data from transcripts and test scores, identifying trends and anomalies that would otherwise go unnoticed. Natural language processing can evaluate tone, sentiment, and thematic consistency in essays. When used as a support system, AI can help admissions teams sift through initial waves of data, highlighting applications that warrant deeper human review.

This approach is not about handing decisions over to machines. It is about freeing humans to focus on what they do best—understanding nuance, context, and character—while allowing AI to handle the volume and routine analysis.

Leveling the Playing Field or Risking Reinforcement of Bias?

One of the most exciting promises of AI in admissions is its potential to combat the very inequities that have long plagued higher education. When properly trained on diverse and representative data, AI can help remove identifiers that might unconsciously sway a reviewer’s judgment. Names, ZIP codes, and high school names can all be anonymized during the initial stages of application review, giving every student a fairer chance at evaluation based on merit.

However, the caveat is crucial. AI systems are only as fair as the data they are built on. If past admissions decisions reflect historical inequities that favor certain demographics or school types, then algorithms trained on that data can unintentionally replicate those patterns. Institutions must be vigilant. That means frequent audits, diverse oversight teams, and a commitment to transparency.

The ethical stakes are high. If not managed responsibly, AI can entrench the very problems it aims to solve. But with deliberate design and ongoing monitoring, it can become a tool for progress.

Fighting Fraud with Technology

Another area where AI can play a pivotal role is in fraud detection. College admissions are increasingly vulnerable to manipulation. Whether it’s embellished resumes, ghostwritten essays, or fabricated extracurriculars, some applicants are becoming more sophisticated in gaming the system.

AI can assist in verifying claims by checking external databases, flagging inconsistencies, and identifying patterns in writing style that suggest plagiarism or artificially generated content. These tools will not eliminate fraud entirely, but they can serve as an effective first line of defense.

Admissions offices, particularly at large institutions, often do not have the bandwidth to manually verify every piece of information. AI can take on that burden, alerting reviewers when something looks questionable and reserving their time for more meaningful analysis.

Enhancing the Applicant Experience

AI is not just about internal process improvements. It can also change how prospective students interact with institutions. Imagine an applicant who can get instant, tailored answers to questions about deadlines, scholarships, or program requirements. No long email wait times. No navigating confusing FAQ pages. AI-powered chat tools can make that a reality, providing support at scale while personalizing the experience for each user.

This kind of responsive engagement does not only help applicants. It also reflects positively on the institution and reduces staff burnout during peak admissions seasons.

Predictive analytics offer value on the institutional side as well. Based on historical data, AI can help identify students who are likely to succeed academically, persist through graduation, or even contribute meaningfully to campus life. These tools can support more intentional enrollment planning, helping admissions teams align decisions with long-term institutional goals.

Proceeding with Caution, Not Fear

There is no doubt that the use of AI in college admissions raises important ethical questions. Who owns the data? How are decisions made? Can applicants appeal an AI-influenced denial? These are not theoretical concerns. They require real answers, policies, and accountability mechanisms.

The key is not to avoid AI. The key is to approach it with the seriousness and care it demands. Institutions should start small. Use AI to sort documents or assist with communications before moving into areas like predictive modeling. Transparency must be front and center. Students should know when and how AI is involved in their admissions journey. Most importantly, human oversight should never be removed from the equation.

AI is a tool. It is not a replacement for human judgment. The goal is not to automate our way to fairness or efficiency. It is to create a partnership between people and machines that respects the stakes of the process and centers student dignity and institutional mission.

What Comes Next

The next few years will be defining ones for how colleges and universities integrate artificial intelligence. Those that succeed will be the ones that approach it thoughtfully, building systems that are not only efficient but also transparent, inclusive, and just.

At McLean Forrester, we believe the future of admissions lies in this balanced approach. We work with institutions to ensure AI solutions are ethically grounded, strategically aligned, and rigorously tested. We are not here to sell algorithms. We are here to help shape thoughtful transformation.

Admissions can be better—more fair, more efficient, more responsive—if we are willing to rethink old systems and responsibly introduce new ones.

Let’s build that future together.

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