Potential AI Impact on College Admissions, K12

Generative AI is everywhere—helping students with homework, assisting teachers, and now even influencing who gets into top schools. For students seeking placement in the most competitive public and private high schools, this shift matters because AI is playing a growing role in how applications are reviewed, essays are read, and candidate readiness is assessed.

Understanding how college admissions use AI can help your child stand out for all the right reasons. In this guide, we’ll show you what to know, what to watch for, and how to help your child present their most authentic, compelling self.

How AI Is Affecting K–12 Education

Generative AI is being introduced to students of all levels. Tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grammarly help students polish their language, brainstorm ideas for projects, and tutor students when they struggle with certain subjects.

In fall 2023, it was reported that 18% of K–12 teachers used AI for teaching. This can help provide different scenarios for teaching subjects, to detect plagiarism or overuse of AI, and even to aid in the admissions process of private schools.

However, this doesn’t mean that all of teaching is being handed over to AI; instead, it allows teachers to focus on developing essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. Developing these skills will set students up for long-term success.

AI will likely continue to play a large role in education. For example, in July, 2025, ChatGPT Study Mode was introduced specifically to help students develop critical thinking and work through problems step-by-step, rather than simply being fed answers.

How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Use of AI

It’s important for parents to monitor their child’s use of AI as they learn how to use it. Without proper guidance, children can easily overrely on AI and not develop the essential skills they need.

Teach that AI Is a Tool

The most valuable lessons parents can teach their child that AI is a tool, not the solution. It can work as a brainstorming partner, offer a new perspective, and compile resources for further learning. But it should never replace their own voice, creativity, or critical thinking.

If you have concerns about how your child is using AI, take time to review their homework (if you don’t already). You’ll start to notice when AI may be taking a larger role than it should, since you know your child’s style and strengths best.

Encourage Curiosity

Curiosity is your child’s greatest asset, and AI can be one of many tools that help spark it. AI can open doors to explore topics more deeply than before and learn new things, but it doesn’t replace their own hands-on exploration or research. Remind them that curiosity means going beyond the quickest answer and that relying too much on AI can make it tempting to skip the deeper digging that fuels real learning. Staying curious can help them discover new interests in different subjects they may want to pursue as a career in the future.

Explain AI Biases

Children may not always understand that AI does not “think” on its own. It draws from patterns in the information it’s been trained on. This means it can sometimes provide incomplete, incorrect, or biased information.

Teach your children about these limitations and encourage them to double-check facts, compare sources, and think critically about what they receive from AI. This will keep them safe and prevent them from believing misinformation.

Stay Up-to-Date on AI News

AI is rapidly changing weekly. As a parent, you should always know what’s happening in the industry. You don’t have to be an expert, but basic knowledge empowers you to put your child on the right education path.

How College Admissions Use AI

As your child gets older and starts looking at colleges, you need to know how colleges are using AI for both education and the admission process. According to a 2023 survey, half of higher education institutions were using AI in college admissions, with another 36% of colleges planning to implement AI by 2025.

Colleges use AI to review recommendation letters (73%) and transcripts (71%). Admissions also use AI to communicate with potential students through chatbots or automated emails (61%).

What’s especially important to know is that 87% of school admission employees say that AI sometimes or always makes the final decision to admit someone.

Why does this matter? It should guide how students create their applications and essays. They need to focus on authenticity, storytelling, and personality.

Proactivity Is Key for Parents in the Age of AI

Parents should view their child’s AI use as an extension of their educational journey, not as a separate thing. When parents take control and involve themselves in how their child is using AI, they set them up for success. Children will retain their critical thinking and curiosity and use AI as a tool.

If you’re unsure where to begin, schedule a free consultation. Our experts can help guide you and your child through this new technology and provide resources. We can also help with college applications and essays that truly reflect who they are.