Did AI Kill The College Essay?

Less than two years ago, Chat GPT was released to the public and changed everything. 92% of Fortune 500 companies use generative AI, while 63% of teachers are warming up to the technology for lesson planning.

While the business application of AI is somewhat benign, the usage eventually trickles down to students. Some educators cite difficulties with students using AI to complete at-home quizzes, write their essays, and in the case of Khan Academy’s Khanmigo, even tutor them.

As time goes on, it may become more difficult to decipher machine-written assignments from humans. In recent months, Duke University announced that it would no longer apply a weighted grade to essays submitted through admissions. Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag stated, “We’re just no longer assuming that the essay is an accurate reflection of the student’s actual writing ability.”

What does this mean for the college essay? Is it on its way to extinction, with other qualifying replacements in tow? Or will it evolve to stand the test of time?

Knovva Education Connect speaks with Amy Hubbard, a veteran college counselor about AI-assisted writing and how students can stand out in the admissions process.