Preamble

Even well-written essays can be rendered ineffective by lack of adherence to word limits, incomplete answers, and other careless errors. Read and reread, and ensure you’ve followed the instructions. Yes, it is that simple!🎓

Not all admissions decisions are made based on an applicant’s record. When you apply—priority, early action, early decision 1, early decision 2, regular decision, or rolling admission—is one variable. Finances—“need-blind schools” versus those that consider a student’s need for financial aid in decisions—are another. Demographics and institutional priorities also play a role in outcomes.

As seasoned college counselors with experiences of guiding 100s of students since 2018, we have observed a significant shift in the landscape of college admissions – first due to the Covid pandemic in 2020/21, and now due to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The latter is a revolution reshaping how institutions evaluate applicants and how students approach the application process.

AI streamlines admissions processes, allowing colleges to manage increasing application volumes more efficiently. Many institutions are now using AI to assist in reviewing transcripts, analyzing essays, and even conducting preliminary screenings of applicants. For example, Texas A&M University-Commerce and North Carolina State University are utilizing AI tools like Sia to process college transcripts quickly.

The impact of AI extends beyond just processing applications. It also predicts enrollment trends, personalizes student outreach, and enhances decision-making through data-driven insights. This shift towards AI-assisted admissions is rapidly gaining traction, with some surveys indicating that 80% of college applications will be AI-assisted in the current (2025) season.

However, it is important to note that AI is not replacing human judgment in admissions decisions, especially at highly selective institutions. Many colleges, including Harvard University, still manually review essays and recommendation letters. The goal is to use AI to enhance efficiency while maintaining the human element essential for holistic admissions.

For students, this AI revolution means adapting to new realities. While AI can help streamline the application process, it also raises questions about the authenticity of application materials, particularly essays. As a result, some institutions, like Duke University, are adjusting how they evaluate specific application components.

As we navigate this new era, it’s clear that AI in college admissions is here to stay. It offers promising solutions for managing large-scale admissions processes but presents challenges that institutions and applicants must address. The key will be striking a balance between technological efficiency and preserving the human-centric values at the core of education.

For some students and their families, the cost of paying for a U.S. undergraduate education degree is a key factor in the college admissions process. That’s where we at Jupiter Education Services offer the additional edge. We advise students and their families to not make the mistake of coming up with the college list without considering the cost of attendance (CoA) or applying for college admission first, and then figuring out how to pay for it! To avoid the disappointment of gaining admission but not having enough funding, include the cost of college as an additional dimension besides college’s academic stature, size of college, student to faculty ratio etc. An understanding of the finances required for applying for admission, as well as for every year of study is essential. As the cost of higher education increases everywhere, it is important for parents and students to know what costs to expect and to develop a plan to cover these.

Finding funding for undergraduate study in the U.S. is a challenge for both American and international students alike. The key is starting early choosing universities appropriately and putting in the necessary time and effort to seek out and apply for scholarships. Also keep in mind, International students will need to demonstrate access to funding for the first year of study in order to apply for a visa.