AI and School Counselors: A New Approach to College Applications
Innovative Practices in School Counseling
School counselors Stephanie Nelson from North Carolina and Richard Tench from West Virginia may be separated by hundreds of miles, yet they share a common method for assisting their rising seniors with letters of recommendation. They assign students a “brag sheet,” prompting them to outline challenges they’ve overcome and accomplishments they’re proud of. This information helps guide the counselors in crafting personalized letters.
The Role of Generative AI
This approach is becoming more prevalent, as counselors increasingly leverage generative AI tools to incorporate student achievements into recommendation letters. “I’m not taking away the personal part; I’m enhancing what’s already in mind,” says Nelson. She humorously mentions to students that AI, like ChatGPT, assists in the process.
AI as a Resource for Students
Today’s students are already using AI for study aids and mental health support. With a growing gap between the number of students and available counselors, generative AI emerges as a potential resource to streamline college applications for both parties.
A Time-Saving Tool for Counselors
Tench, who writes between 120 to 150 letters of recommendation annually, acknowledges the benefits of using AI. “It helps me strengthen the letter, whether it’s for efficiency or when I hit a creative block,” he explains. AI not only fine-tunes student resumes but also enhances counselors’ letters while preserving their unique voice.
Exploring the Prevalence of AI Use
While numerous articles focus on students’ use of generative AI, the adoption of such tools by school counselors in the college admissions process remains relatively unexplored. The American School Counselor Association does not track this specific usage.
The Student-Counselor Ratio Challenge
As school counselors like Nelson and Tench work with increasing numbers of students—380 and a 275:1 ratio respectively—AI tools could alleviate some of their workload. However, opinions about this vary widely.
Mixed Reactions Among Educators
A focus group conducted by foundry10 highlighted the differing attitudes towards AI among educators. Some tech-savvy teachers embrace its use for letters of recommendation, while others are surprised by this innovative approach, illustrating a divide in comfort levels with technology.
Student and Teacher Insights
A 2024 study revealed that approximately one in three students and teachers reported using generative AI for college essays or recommendation letters. Co-author Riddhi Divanji notes that this number is likely higher now than when the data was initially collected.
Parents as Initial Support
The study also found that students tend to turn to their parents first for assistance, followed by teachers and counselors. For first-generation college students or those unable to afford costly admissions coaches, AI can be a valuable resource.
Ethical Use of AI in College Applications
As useful as AI can be, ethical guidelines for its use are essential. Hannah Quay-de la Vallee from the Center for Democracy & Technology advises students to write their own essays first, then use AI for specific tasks like thesis statement refinement. “The more targeted your requests, the better you’ll fare,” she emphasizes.
Choosing the Right Tool
Both students and educators should scrutinize the AI tools they utilize. Many educational technology companies offer AI “wrappers,” providing no real educational benefit. Quay-de la Vallee suggests sticking to well-known tools like ChatGPT.
Transparency in AI Usage
Both Nelson and Tench maintain transparency about their AI use and encourage students to do the same. They stress that the best applications of AI are for brainstorming and refining ideas, rather than for complete reliance on technology.
Understanding High School and College Policies
Counselors also remind students to review AI usage policies set by their high schools and prospective colleges, as regulations can vary widely. Some institutions encourage AI usage, while others may impose strict bans.
Promoting Responsible AI Usage
“It’s crucial to adhere to both school and college policies regarding AI,” Tench points out. “Some students may be tempted to take shortcuts, but it’s essential to instill a sense of ethical responsibility as AI becomes commonplace.” He believes that as AI becomes more integrated into the application process, training on its proper use will become vital.
Conclusion: A Balancing Act
The integration of generative AI tools into the college application process presents both opportunities and challenges. As school counselors strive to support their students in a high-demand educational landscape, responsible and ethical usage of AI could enhance their efforts, helping students present their best selves.
FAQs
1. What is a “brag sheet” in the context of school counseling?
A brag sheet is a document that students fill out detailing their accomplishments and challenges they’ve overcome, which counselors use to write letters of recommendation.
2. How does AI assist counselors with letters of recommendation?
Counselors use AI tools to incorporate student achievements into letters, enhancing the content and saving time in the writing process.
3. Is the use of AI widespread among school counselors?
While there’s limited data on this practice, a study indicated that a growing number of students and teachers are using generative AI for college essays and recommendation letters.
4. What ethical guidelines should students follow when using AI?
Students should write their essays first and use AI for specific improvements, ensuring a human review before final submission to catch errors and biases.
5. How can students ensure they are following AI policies?
Students should check the AI policies set by both their high schools and the colleges they are applying to, as rules can vary significantly between institutions.
