How to Use AI in the College Admissions Process: Smart, Ethical Strategies for Students and Families

AI is changing how students navigate the college admissions process, and knowing how to use it well can save families time and stress. In this episode, Cathy and Meredith focus on the most effective and responsible ways teens can use AI for college search, planning campus visits, organizing supplements, preparing for interviews, and comparing schools. They explain why AI is a powerful tool for reflection and structure in essay writing, but not a replacement for a student’s real voice. They also address concerns about accuracy, misuse, and school policies around AI. Looking ahead, they share why AI will likely reshape admissions in the coming years and what families should keep in mind as the landscape evolves. Tune in for clear, practical insights on using AI wisely in the admissions journey! Key Points From This Episode: [0:01:20] Today’s topic: how AI is shaping the college admissions process. [0:02:38] Cathy and Meredith’s mixed feelings about adopting new AI tools. [0:04:30] How students, parents, and counselors can use AI for college search. [0:06:06] Teaching students to research colleges using AI and multiple sources. [0:08:41] Why AI is helpful but never exhaustive in list-building. [0:09:54] Using AI as an essay-editing tool, not a writer, in the admissions process. [0:14:48] How AI can help you identify distinctive program features and compare colleges. [0:16:52] AI as a time-saver for planning tours and organizing writing requirements. [0:17:35] The right and wrong ways to use AI in admissions work. [0:17:56] Looking ahead at how AI may reshape future college applications. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram