AI is about to blow up the $3 billion college application industry

Nanette Asimov  Updated: Aug. 1, 2024

San Francisco Chronicle

Summary of "AI is about to blow up the $3 billion college application industry"

In the article "AI is about to blow up the $3 billion college application industry," published by Nanette Asimov on July 29, 2024, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the college application process is explored. The article highlights how AI-driven startups are democratizing access to college application assistance, traditionally available only to those who could afford expensive consultants.

The Emergence of AI in College Applications

Senan Khawaja and Saeed Naeem, recent graduates of Stanford and UC Berkeley respectively, founded Kollegio, an AI-driven platform that acts as a personal college admissions counselor. Kollegio helps students finalize their preferred university lists, prioritize extracurricular activities, track deadlines, and navigate the essay-writing process. Khawaja emphasizes that their platform does not write essays for students but offers suggestions and feedback, ensuring ethical use of AI.

Democratizing Access to College Counseling

Historically, families capable of paying thousands of dollars could afford college consultants to help their children through the application process. AI platforms like Kollegio and Reach Best are now providing similar services for free or at a significantly lower cost. This development has the potential to level the playing field, making college counseling accessible to students from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Ethical Concerns and AI Usage

AI's potential to facilitate cheating is a significant concern. Both Kollegio and Reach Best maintain that their tools assist rather than replace the student's effort. For example, while Kollegio offers essay reviews and suggestions, it stops short of generating essays, emphasizing the importance of maintaining academic integrity.

AI's Role in Enhancing Student Applications

Beyond simply assisting with applications, AI tools are designed to enhance a student’s overall application strategy. Shrishti Harish, a high school sophomore, uses Kollegio to highlight unique aspects of her background, such as her training in classical Indian music and dance, rather than focusing solely on science competitions. This approach, suggested by AI, allows her to present a more well-rounded application.

The Hybrid Approach to College Counseling

Bryan Contreras, managing director of Matriculate, a nonprofit connecting high-achieving, low-income students with college student advisers, sees potential in combining AI tools with human advisors. While AI can assist in organizing information and suggesting questions, the human element remains crucial for personal connection and tailored advice.

Adoption and Impact

The rapid adoption of AI tools by students indicates a significant shift in how college applications are approached. For the first time, the University of California’s application process includes a statement allowing the use of generative AI for advice, editing, and readability. However, the content and final text must be the applicant’s own work, with mechanisms in place to detect and prevent cheating.

Conclusion

AI is transforming the college application industry by providing accessible, ethical, and effective tools to all students. While there are concerns about cheating and the impersonal nature of AI, these tools, when used responsibly, can democratize access to college counseling and help students present their best selves in applications. The combination of AI and human advisors could create a comprehensive support system for students navigating the complex college application process.

For further details, the full article can be accessed at San Francisco Chronicle.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com