I run an AI-powered tutoring company called Orin. We’re working with families across the country to have a positive impact on education with AI, giving me a leading viewpoint on where families stand on using the new technology.
Many of my discussions with parents are focused around understanding the pros and cons of AI, and how to position their families for success. Lots of these discussion culminate in an ultimate goal - college admissions
86% of students already use AI tools for schoolwork, and admissions offices have quietly adopted their own AI systems to manage applications. In the past few years, the college applications process has totally changed for families.
Most parents are navigating uncharted territory, with the old playbook of perfect grades and polished essays no longer guaranteeing success.
Today, we’re looking at the six major shifts reshaping how colleges evaluate applicants.
Decision by Algorithm
Just like many job applications, college applications may never reach human eyes without passing initial digital filters. Slate CRM and Liaison CAS together serve over 1,000 campuses and 31,000 programs, using algorithms to rank and flag files for review.
These systems scan for formatting issues, missing documents, and basic qualifications. A single poorly formatted PDF can eliminate a student before any admissions officer reads their story.
While this isn’t brand new, it’s growing in popularity. If an admissions portal has a preview tool, test all documents before submitting. Ensure PDFs display correctly and maintain consistent formatting.
Digital SATs
The new digital SAT runs 2 hours 14 minutes, adapts questions based on performance, and provides an on-screen calculator throughout. Adaptive testing adjusts difficulty in real-time, which can feel unsettling for students.
Score reports arrive within days with detailed skill diagnostics.
While this is actually great for students (faster feedback, more accessible) it’s important to understand how to excel in the new format.
Students should be practicing on the actual digital format using College Board's free practice tests, learning the tips and tricks specifically used for the DSAT.