Recently, the Youth Agency requested our team to design a holistic admissions system—used by Ivy colleges—to select the most talented students for the Top100 Uni Camp.
The task presented several challenges, but the most frustrating was an overwhelming number of ChatGPT-generated submissions. Sifting through some 6.500 essays, our team could hardly miss the mechanically generated AI text.
Repetitive phrases, dry language, and overly generalized statements were among many signs that gave away ChatGPT-written and edited essays. The pattern was clear, yet we were devastated to see more than 60% of applicants relying on the tool.
Indeed, given ChatGPT's broad appeal, how useful could it be in competitive admissions?
For starters, ChatGPT is a general language model that produces a response based on the most recurring words and phrases found in its database. This approach makes the text polished and grammatically accurate but also unoriginal and bland.
To improve on that flaw, AI models rely on user data, which poses our first concern—user privacy. Sending your motivational essay into the chat, parts of your text containing your unique voice and private information risk resurfacing as ChatGPT's response to another user.
Yet, all hope is not lost with ChatGPT, as it can be a legitimate tool for brainstorming ideas. When I gave AI a general idea of my essay, asking it to present clarifying questions to refine my arguments, I received several interesting directions for further investigation.
Additionally, ChatGPT helped me select relevant synonyms and find punchy phrases and visuals that I could incorporate into my essay. When I wanted to describe the vibrancy of my city, the model also gave me creative references that inspired my writing.
In conclusion, ChatGPT has the potential to be a powerful tool for ideation and word choice. However, at least in the near future, AI will NOT replace you as a writer, thinker, and individual.
Sega Arakelyan
Freshman Admissions Team
The task presented several challenges, but the most frustrating was an overwhelming number of ChatGPT-generated submissions. Sifting through some 6.500 essays, our team could hardly miss the mechanically generated AI text.
Repetitive phrases, dry language, and overly generalized statements were among many signs that gave away ChatGPT-written and edited essays. The pattern was clear, yet we were devastated to see more than 60% of applicants relying on the tool.
Indeed, given ChatGPT's broad appeal, how useful could it be in competitive admissions?
For starters, ChatGPT is a general language model that produces a response based on the most recurring words and phrases found in its database. This approach makes the text polished and grammatically accurate but also unoriginal and bland.
To improve on that flaw, AI models rely on user data, which poses our first concern—user privacy. Sending your motivational essay into the chat, parts of your text containing your unique voice and private information risk resurfacing as ChatGPT's response to another user.
Yet, all hope is not lost with ChatGPT, as it can be a legitimate tool for brainstorming ideas. When I gave AI a general idea of my essay, asking it to present clarifying questions to refine my arguments, I received several interesting directions for further investigation.
Additionally, ChatGPT helped me select relevant synonyms and find punchy phrases and visuals that I could incorporate into my essay. When I wanted to describe the vibrancy of my city, the model also gave me creative references that inspired my writing.
In conclusion, ChatGPT has the potential to be a powerful tool for ideation and word choice. However, at least in the near future, AI will NOT replace you as a writer, thinker, and individual.
Sega Arakelyan
Freshman Admissions Team