MAE O’MALLEY / ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly popular in classrooms, especially due to programs such as ChatGPT. Released by OpenAI in November 2022, ChatGPT proves that a computer chatbot is able to complete the same tasks as humans. Teachers and educators have been working to combat the use of AI in classrooms and promote academic integrity. However, AI has become even more of a resource to students since developing. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities have nullified the need for standardized testing scores, which has led to a substantial increase in the number of applicants to most schools. 

Institutions are still seeing record applicant pool numbers, and the first-year applications have increased since the pandemic. Due to this, students have had to strategize on how to stand out as an applicant, and many have done this with the help of college counselors. 

Recently, new educational breakthroughs have unraveled in the realm of AI, with many companies jumping at the chance to transform their programs. 

Khan Academy, a website offering video lessons and practice tests for students, unveiled Khanmigo, which serves as an AI tutor. Khanmigo is used to guide students’ learning process, similar to a tutor. 

USD sophomore Isabella Mariano utilizes AI programs like ChatGPT when faced with a question, but has noticed that occasionally she is presented with an incorrect answer. 

“I think that ChatGPT is useful, but I have encountered once or twice that I was given a wrong answer and Chat had to correct itself.”

Khanmigo attempts to fix this issue by using a calculator to solve math problems, rather than using AI’s predictions. Additionally, they are using research on math performance and examples to understand how a student may arrive at a problem, if that is where the issue arises. 

“I definitely double check my work now because I’m afraid that there will be mistakes from ChatGPT,” said Mariano. “I prefer to use it as a starting point rather than the final answer.” College coaches have become an asset to many students, especially due to the increase in the competitive nature of applying to university. 

USD sophomore Ella Kocourek noted that most of her friends used college coaches when applying to college during the 2023-24 school year. 

“In my friend group of seven, six of us used college coaches and tutors when we applied to schools,” said Kocourek. “I don’t know if I had an advantage, but it relieved a lot of the stress that comes with college applications and a lot of questions that I had were answered”

This is why people like Senan Khawaja, CEO of Kollegio, a free AI-driven college coaching company, have decided to use AI as a tool to try and level the college admissions playing field. 

The program is available to all students applying to universities and offers the ability to curate a list of colleges an applicant wants to apply to, review essays and create an extracurriculars list. 

Kollegio accepts the fact that they are not a college application generator, but rather a supplement to a college coach. 

“Kollegio will never write your application for you.” 

The program will offer editing suggestions and review the essay as a whole to determine if it is appropriate to be sent to a university. Kollegio will not complete a college application for a student, but it certainly relieves the burden of having to make one’s application perfect in the eyes of college admissions, and offers this opportunity to all students, not just the ones who can afford it. 

Universities have found it necessary to implement AI policies in order to determine when AI use is ethical or when it is classified  as cheating or plagiarism. 

The University of San Diego does not explicitly state their policy regarding AI and its use in college admissions, however, the Office of Undergraduate Admission has commented. 

“While USD does not have an official stance on this matter, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions welcomes free and equitable tools that provide college prep and application assistance.” 

The use of AI in college admissions may just change the entire process, as schools seek to ensure their applications  are written completely by students. However, this may be the factor that will finally give a fair chance to all students looking to enter into university, and allow them to be unburdened by financial obligations or situations that may limit them.  

ChatGPT is commonly used by students in the classroom. Photo courtesy of Unsplash