The college admissions process has evolved greatly over the last few years and many seniors are curious about what the future of admissions holds. College applications can cause a lot of stress and mental health issues for students and AI and test optional policies might be the trick to decreasing stress for upcoming classes. 

AI refers to artificial information generated by software and devices. AI is more recently being used by students as a way to do less work and to help complete work quickly and efficiently. 

As the class of 2024 is preparing to embark on their college journeys, it’s impossible not to reflect on how much the admissions process has evolved over the last few years. 

One major change is optional submission of test scores when applying to colleges. This may cause students to experience stress in a different way.

A recent study by College Transitions states that there has been a consistent increase in average standardized testing scores such as the SAT and ACT over the last several years. Digital testing can even be a root source for added stress to college applicants. 

Some of these changes are beneficial, however, and may alleviate stress for students, thus improving overall mental health problems linked to the college process. However, 77% of seniors at FLHS who responded to a recent survey still said they had increased stress levels and mental health issues during this time. 

Ludlowe Counselor, Deb Deren, states that, “every year kids stress out, and it doesn’t stop; you submit schools and think it’s over.” This helps to show the increased level of stress the college admissions process truly causes for students.

Another impact of AI can be connected to the college essay due to the use of AI-driven websites allowing for personal essays to be formulated. This will significantly impact upcoming graduates by changing the process of college admissions, making it unclear what  the future of college admissions will look like. 

Correspondingly, Warner House Principal Sean Colley believes that, “You are at a disadvantage if you don’t use AI, reality is it’s not going away so it’s important to learn how to properly use it.” This shows the thought-provoking contradictory opinions on AI in the education system and they must be addressed. 

Technology, including AI, has simultaneously simplified and complicated the college admissions  process. Seniors no longer hand write applications or receive letters in the mail; now they communicate with schools through online websites such as the Common App.

Overall, the college admissions process is clearly evolving and students are changing their paths to admission as the SAT and ACT scores policies have changed. In the stressful and ever changing world of college admissions, it’s important to remember that mental health becomes a major concern and it needs to be attended to.