ChatGPT in College Admissions

If you’ve been paying attention to education or technology news lately, you’ve likely heard a lot about ChatGPT, the new tool from OpenAI that generates astonishingly human-like text based on prompts and questions submitted by the user. We have been getting a lot of questions about this tool and how it should or should not be used in the college application process. Because this is a new advancement and I am far from a technological expert, I thought it would be best to pose these questions to the tool itself.

The italic text below represents the responses I received when I submitted the following questions to the ChatGPT tool. Some responses have been shortened for space and relevancy, but otherwise no changes have been made.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a large language model trained by OpenAI, based on the GPT-3.5 architecture. It is a computer program that is capable of generating human-like responses to text-based input. ChatGPT has been trained on a massive amount of text data from the internet, allowing it to understand and generate human-like language in response to a wide variety of topics and questions. The goal of ChatGPT is to provide an AI-powered conversational experience that feels as natural as possible.

How is ChatGPT Being Used?

ChatGPT is being used in a variety of applications, including customer service, chatbots, and personal assistants. Its natural language processing capabilities allow it to understand and respond to a wide range of user queries and requests… Overall, ChatGPT is being used to create more efficient and personalized experiences for users across a variety of industries and applications.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using ChatGPT?

There are several pros and cons to using ChatGPT, which depend on the specific use case and context in which it is being deployed. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

• Natural language processing: ChatGPT is capable of understanding and generating human-like language.

• Speed: ChatGPT can provide fast responses to user queries.

Cons:

• Lack of empathy: While ChatGPT can generate human-like responses, it lacks empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Bias: ChatGPT may perpetuate bias if it is trained on biased data, as it can replicate and reinforce stereotypes and discriminatory language.

Overall, while ChatGPT has many benefits, it is important to carefully consider the potential drawbacks and limitations when deciding to implement it in a specific use case.

Can ChatGPT Be Used to Write Essays?

Yes, ChatGPT can be used to write essays. However, it is important to keep in mind that while Chat GPT is capable of generating human-like language, it is still an automated system and may not always produce high-quality essays that meet academic standards. ChatGPT can be used to generate ideas and provide inspiration for essay writing, as it can suggest relevant topics and provide supporting arguments and evidence. It can also be used to generate initial drafts of essays, which can then be edited and refined by human writers.

It is important to carefully review and edit any essays generated by ChatGPT, as it may produce inaccuracies, errors, or non sequiturs. Additionally, using ChatGPT to write essays without proper citation or attribution can be considered plagiarism, which can have serious consequences in academic and professional settings. Overall, while ChatGPT can be a helpful tool in essay writing, it should be used with caution and in conjunction with human judgment and oversight to ensure the quality and integrity of the final product.

Should I Use ChatGPT to Write My College Application Essay?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT can provide suggestions and generate content, including for a college application essay. However, using ChatGPT to write your entire college application essay is not recommended. College admission officers are looking for an essay that is personal, unique, and showcases your own writing ability and thought process. Using Chat GPT to write your essay may result in an essay that lacks personal touch, reflects someone else’s ideas, or fails to showcase your unique perspective and writing style.

It is important to remember that college application essays are an opportunity for you to showcase your personality, accomplishments, and aspirations. It is recommended that you write the essay yourself, using Chat GPT to supplement your own ideas and writing skills. You can use Chat GPT to generate ideas and help you overcome writer’s block, but the final essay should be your own work.

Takeaways

Okay, back to my own human thoughts. So, is ChatGPT another technological fad like Segways and Blu-ray? Or will writing without AI eventually feel as unnecessarily taxing as doing math without a calculator? Only time will tell. In the meantime, I recommend exercising extreme caution when using this tool for any essay writing, limiting it exclusively for general topic or thought generation, if at all. One thing we do know for sure is that colleges are continuing to read application essays to learn more about your written communication skills, as well as your identity, background, experiences, and ambitions—not those of a computer.

That being said, I’m going to let my new friend ChatGPT have another word:

As you embark on the exciting journey of applying to college, I want to wish you the best of luck. This is a time of great opportunity and growth, and I have no doubt that you have worked hard to get to where you are today. Remember to stay focused, be true to yourself, and believe in your own abilities. Whatever the outcome may be, know that you have already achieved so much by simply taking this important step. I wish you all the success in the world and know that you will make a positive impact on whatever path you choose.

It can be tempting to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to help you write a college admissions essay, but it’s much better to take the authentic approach and write it yourself. If you need assistance with your essay or anything else related to college admissions, schedule an Initial Consultation with an IvyWise counselor.