Kaplan Survey: Colleges Increasingly Clarify Rules on GenAI Use in Admissions Essays, But Majority Still Keep Applicants Guessing
MWN-AI** Summary
A recent Kaplan survey highlights the evolving landscape of college admissions policies regarding the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in admissions essays. Responses from over 200 college admissions officers reveal that, while there is a growing acknowledgment of the role of AI, most institutions remain vague about their policies. Specifically, only 2% of colleges endorse the use of AI for essay writing, while 30% prohibit it entirely, and a significant 68% have no policy in place.
When it comes to using generative AI for brainstorming essay ideas, 27% of admissions officers reported having a favorable policy, with 69% lacking any formal guidelines. Similarly, 21% allowed AI-generated feedback on independently written essays, while 73% had no established position. The concern among admissions officers is that AI may dilute the personal nature of essays, leading to generic content that fails to showcase a student's unique voice and experiences. Half the respondents expressed a negative view towards AI's influence in admissions essays, suggesting that future policy developments may trend toward more restrictive measures.
Jason Bedford, Kaplan's senior vice president, noted the surprising lack of clear policies nearly three years after the introduction of ChatGPT. He emphasized the need for transparent guidelines to help applicants navigate the use of AI ethically and effectively.
As colleges continue to adapt to the rise of generative AI, it is expected that clearer rules will emerge, ultimately benefitting students by ensuring they accurately convey their strengths and personal narratives in the application process.
MWN-AI** Analysis
As the recent Kaplan survey indicates, the landscape of college admissions is evolving in response to the emergence of generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT. With only 2% of colleges officially endorsing GenAI for essay writing and the majority lacking formal policies, it creates a complex environment for prospective students. This uncertainty could significantly impact applicants' strategies as they navigate these gray areas.
For financial analysts, this scenario presents a unique opportunity to understand the educational market's dynamics and to predict trends within higher education institutions. The fact that 50% of admissions officers harbor unfavorable attitudes toward GenAI usage suggests a potential tightening of policies in the future. Colleges recognizing the need to maintain the integrity of essays could mean an incoming wave of comprehensive guidelines, possibly benefitting institutions that proactively adapt to this challenge.
Market players, including educational consultants and technology providers, should pivot towards developing resources that help students ethically harness GenAI’s potential without compromising their authentic voice. Creating advisory platforms or training courses emphasizing ethical AI use in admissions could address current uncertainties and align with institutional values.
Furthermore, as a financial analyst, one should monitor funding patterns within colleges. Institutions investing in resources to clarify GenAI usage signals a commitment to student integrity, thus enhancing their appeal. Prices for consulting services related to admissions strategies may also increase as institutions seek to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
In conclusion, while the current lack of clear policies around GenAI in admissions creates confusion, it ultimately presents a significant opportunity for businesses and students alike. Educational organizations that can innovate within this shifting paradigm will likely see enhanced engagement and success in attracting prospective students, making it an area ripe for investment and exploration.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
A new survey from global education company Kaplan reveals that while an increasing number of colleges and universities have official policies on how applicants can use generative AI tools like ChatGPT in their admissions essays, most still do not—leaving students to navigate the gray area on their own.* The survey’s findings come at a time when schools continue to grapple with GenAI’s proper use in both admissions and scholarships .
The following insights are based on responses from more than 200 college admissions officers. Figures in parentheses represent results from Kaplan’s 2024 survey, allowing for year-over-year comparison:
- Writing: Only 2 percent (2) of colleges say they have an official policy allowing prospective students to use GenAI to write their admissions essay; 30 percent (25) say their policy bans its use; and 68 percent (72) have no policy at all.
- Brainstorming: 27 percent (18) of admissions officers say their college has an official policy allowing applicants to use GenAI programs to brainstorm essay ideas; 4 percent (4) have an official policy banning it; the remaining 69 percent (78) have no official policy in place.
- Feedback: 21 percent (15) of admissions officers say their college has an official policy allowing GenAI programs to provide feedback for essays that applicants independently draft; 5 percent (5) have an official policy against its use; the remaining 73 percent (80) have no existing official policy.
As part of the survey, admissions officers said that GenAI can strip essays of their personal touch, producing generic content that doesn’t reflect a student’s authentic voice or unique experiences. They stressed that authentic essays are essential for showing a student’s true abilities. One admissions officer shared, “The writing oftentimes also doesn't match the writing of other sections which then prompts me to ask ‘How strong of a writer is this student?’”
The survey also found that 50 percent of admissions officers have an unfavorable attitude about the advent of GenAI use in college admissions essays; 26 percent have a neutral attitude about it; and only 14 percent have a favorable attitude. This finding in particular suggests that when more colleges do adopt official policies, they will likely lean towards more restricted usage.
Jason Bedford, senior vice president, Kaplan, said:
“It’s somewhat surprising that most colleges and universities, nearly three years after ChatGPT’s debut, continue to take a laissez-faire approach to how prospective students use GenAI in their admissions essays. While this gives college applicants a fair amount of discretion, it also creates uncertainty. Some students may overuse AI, while others may avoid it entirely for fear of crossing an unseen line. We expect to see more schools implement clear policies or guidance in the near future. Applicants deserve to understand expectations with GenAI and want to use these tools ethically and effectively while delivering a clear representation of their strengths and accomplishments to colleges and universities. It’s largely a matter of when, not if, schools will roll out clearer rules. We think applicants would be well served by this.”
*Admissions officers from 220 of the nation’s top national, regional and liberal arts colleges and universities – as compiled by U.S. News & World Report – were polled by e-mail between July and August 2025. Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number.
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is a global education company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions helps students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retention, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.3 million students and professionals, 16,000 corporate clients, and 2,700 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com .
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251103993232/en/
Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com
FAQ**
What strategies or frameworks might Graham Holdings Company (GHC) consider implementing to assist colleges in establishing official policies regarding the use of generative AI in admissions essays?
How could Kaplan, a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (GHC), enhance its offerings to support educational institutions grappling with the implications of generative AI in the admissions process?
Given the unfavorable attitudes reported by admissions officers, how should Graham Holdings Company (GHC) assess the market demand for AI-focused educational tools that address authenticity in student essays?
What insights can Kaplan draw from the survey to guide Graham Holdings Company (GHC) in developing resources that promote ethical and effective use of generative AI in college admissions?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC).
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