In case you have frolicked with immediately’s highschool college students, you realize their school search journey seems to be nothing prefer it did ten, and even 5, years in the past. A shiny brochure or a well-timed postcard nonetheless has a spot. Nonetheless, the primary “whats up” more and more comes by way of a digital assistant, a TikTok video, or a fast synthetic intelligence–powered search.
Allow us to not faux synthetic intelligence (AI) is everybody’s new finest good friend. Some college students are keen, some are eye-rolling, and many are caught within the “possibly” camp. That blend of pleasure and hesitation is actual, and it deserves as a lot consideration as hype.
The info is evident: almost half of scholars (45 %) have already used a digital AI assistant on a school web site, with utilization peaking amongst Ninth- and Tenth-graders (RNL, Halda, & Modern Campus, 2025). On the identical time, a full third of scholars nationwide have turned to instruments like ChatGPT to discover schools, scholarships, and even essay assist (RNL & Teen Voice, 2025).
This development is enjoying out nationwide, with main information retailers reporting that AI chatbots have gotten a standard a part of the faculty software course of, aiding college students with every little thing from brainstorming essays to navigating deadlines (Singer, 2023).
For a lot of college students, AI will not be futuristic; it’s already woven into how they think about, discover, and slender their selections. Latest reporting confirms that AI-driven school search platforms are serving to extra college students, particularly these with out entry to customized steering, discover the best match and increase their choices past what they may have thought-about on their very own (Greenberg, 2025).
Past RNL: What different analysis exhibits
The RNL findings match a a lot larger story about how AI adjustments schooling. World wide, researchers are watching college students take a look at, tinker, and typically wrestle with what these instruments imply for studying and planning.
One line of analysis seems to be at predictive modeling. Latest research have proven that AI-driven platforms can analyze scholar knowledge, grades, extracurricular actions, and demographics to foretell which college students are more likely to pursue school and which could want further help (Eid, Mansouri, & Miled, 2024). By flagging college students vulnerable to falling off the faculty pathway, these predictive techniques enable counselors to intervene earlier, probably altering a scholar’s trajectory.
One other cluster of research zeroes in on customized steering. Instruments constructed round a scholar’s pursuits and objectives can advocate lessons, extracurriculars, and schools that “match” higher than a generic listing. That is particularly essential in faculties the place one counselor might juggle tons of of scholars (Majjate et al., 2023).
In the meantime, college students are already utilizing AI, typically in ways in which make their academics nervous. A Swedish research added some nuance: essentially the most assured college students use AI essentially the most, whereas those that are already uncertain of their abilities have a tendency to carry again (Klarin, 2024). That raises actual fairness questions on who advantages.
And never all college students are followers. Some analysis highlights considerations about privateness, over-reliance, and shedding the possibility to construct their problem-solving muscle mass. It’s a reminder that skepticism will not be resistance for resistance’s sake however a method of defending what issues to them.
On the institutional facet, surveys recommend that many schools are making ready to make use of AI in admissions, whether or not for transcript evaluation or essay evaluation. Latest protection underscores that admissions workplaces are more and more turning to AI instruments to streamline software evaluation, determine best-fit college students, and even personalize outreach (Barnard, 2024).
If all of this appears like a promise and a warning label, it’s as a result of it’s. AI can democratize entry to data, however it could possibly additionally amplify bias. College students know that. They usually need us to take their considerations severely.
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Meet the pioneers, aspirers, resistors, and fence-sitters
As revealed by our analysis in The AI Divide in College Planning (RNL & Teen Voice, 2025), not all college students method synthetic intelligence the identical method. 4 personas stand out:
- Pioneers are already deep within the combine, utilizing synthetic intelligence for analysis, essays, and scholarship searches. Many say it has opened doorways to schools they won’t have even thought-about in any other case.
- Aspirers are curious however need proof. They like the thought of scholarship searches or value planning, however want simple, free instruments and success tales earlier than they commit.
- Resistors lean on counselors and household. They’re nervous about accuracy and privateness, however may come round if an advisor they belief introduces the software.
- Fence-Sitters are traditional “wait and see” college students. A 3rd may belief synthetic intelligence to information them by way of the appliance course of, however the majority are nonetheless uncertain.
The takeaway? There isn’t any single “synthetic intelligence scholar.” Establishments want versatile methods that welcome the keen, reassure the cautious, and don’t alienate the skeptics.
What occurs after the chatbot says, “Whats up“?
One of the hanging findings from the E-Expectations research is that college students hardly ever cease on the chatbot (RNL, Halda, & Fashionable Campus, 2025). After participating with an AI assistant, they transfer. Twenty-nine % e mail admissions straight, 28% click on deeper into the web site, 27% fill out an inquiry kind, and virtually 1 / 4 apply.
In different phrases, that little chat bubble isn’t just answering ceaselessly requested questions. It’s a launchpad.
Personalization meets privateness
Right here is one other twist. Whereas most college students (61%) need personalization, they need it on their phrases. Practically half want to filter and customise their content material, whereas solely 16% need the faculty to resolve robotically (RNL, Halda, & Fashionable Campus, 2025).
That’s the candy spot for synthetic intelligence: not deciding for college students however giving them the levers to design their journey.
What this implies in your enrollment groups
- AI isn’t just a front-end characteristic however a funnel mover. Deal with chatbot engagement like an inquiry. Have a system prepared to reply shortly when a scholar shifts from chatting to performing.
- Keep in mind the personas. Pioneers need depth, Aspirers need reassurance, Resistors need trusted guides, and Fence-Sitters need time. design communications that honor these variations as an alternative of pushing one script for all.
- Personalization will not be about guessing. It’s about giving college students management. Construct instruments that allow them filter, type, search, and resist the temptation to over-curate their journey.
- AI is a pure match for value and scholarship exploration. If you wish to hook Aspirers, put AI into your internet worth calculators or scholarship finders.
- Digital excursions and occasion registration bots mustn’t really feel like gimmicks. When finished nicely, they will bridge the hole between curiosity and go to, giving college students confidence earlier than setting foot on campus.
Obtain the whole reviews from RNL and our companions to see what college students are telling us straight:
References
- Barnard, B. (2024, September 17). College admission: An AI revolution. Forbes.
- Brookings. (2024). What happens when AI chatbots replace real human connection? Brookings Establishment.
- Eid, A. W., Mansouri, W. A., & Miled, A. B. (2024). Artificial Intelligence in Education: Predicting college plans of high school students. Journal of Clever Techniques and Utilized Information Science, 2(1), 42–55. Retrieved from
- Greenberg, J. (2025, June 28). How AI is helping students find the right college. Wired.
- Klarin, J., Hoff, E., Larsson, A. & Daukantaitė, D. (2024). Adolescents’ use and perceived usefulness of generative AI for schoolwork: Exploring their relationships with executive functioning and academic achievement. Frontiers in Synthetic Intelligence (7). Retrieved from
- Majjate, H., Bellarhmouch, Y., Jeghal, A., Yahyaouy, A., Tairi, H., & Zidani, Ok. A. (2024). AI-Powered academic guidance and counseling system based on student profile and interests. Utilized System Innovation, 7(1), 6.
- RNL, Halda, & Fashionable Campus. (2025). 2025 E-Expectations Trend Report. Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
- RNL & Teen Voice. (2025). AI Usage in College Planning Report: The AI Divide in College Planning. Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
- Singer, N. (2023, September 1). Applying to college? Here’s how A.I. tools might hurt, or help. The New York Occasions.
