Today we’re diving into a hard truth about test-optional colleges. In recent years, many colleges…
Why Over-Relying on ChatGPT and AI to Build Your College List Can Backfire
Hey everyone, it’s Eric at Solution Prep. Today I want to offer a little caution about overly relying on ChatGPT and other AI tools to build your list of best-fit colleges.
Most AI tools available to you are LLMs. That means “large language models.” The way they work is they scour the internet (from Reddit and other social media to more established websites) to find the most commonly given answers. So, if you ask it to build a unique list of colleges for the unique student who you are with a focus on where you can thrive and succeed intellectually, culturally, academically, and socially, it’s just not going to do that. Simply put, that’s not what it’s designed to do.
It’s designed to give you the most average answer. So it’s going to give you a list of the most talked-about colleges online, which are therefore the most applied-to colleges and often the most competitive colleges to get into. And it’s going to give that same list to the last student who asked and the next student who asks and the student after that. You’re all going to wind up competing with each other for the same short list of schools and probably missing out on a lot of other schools out there that just aren’t the most average ones talked about, but might be the best fit for you.
Real-World Evidence: Students Bringing Nearly Identical Lists
I’ve seen this for myself. Last summer was the first time that most people had access to and felt comfortable with using some of these AI tools. And so many of my students brought me nearly identical lists and they said, “Well, you know, I worked on it with my parents.” Sure, sure, sure. You and your parents and ChatGPT.
I can tell because I’ve seen this list before: over and over again.
The Overly Encouraging (and Misleading) Nature of AI
You may have also noticed how encouraging and congratulatory some of these AI tools are when they say, “That’s a great question and you’re doing great!” because they’re also going to tell you you’re a great fit for this college and you have a great chance of admission. They may even try to give you more confidence than you should have applying for a college that tends to reject the overwhelming majority of applicants.
I’m Not Anti-AI, But Use It Like a Tool
I’m not a Luddite who is telling you that AI is garbage and you shouldn’t use it and it’s not the wave of the future. By definition it’s a tool, and you can use it like one.
Something that AI is great at is comparing things. So if you want to understand what is the difference between this school or that school, or my major at this school versus that school, or this major versus that major, or what are the pros and cons of a school that offers this versus doesn’t: AI is great. You can absolutely use it as part of learning more about schools and narrowing down your list.
But when it comes to building that list, you have to put in some old-fashioned legwork.
Old-Fashioned Legwork Still Matters Most
That means going to college fairs and talking with your guidance counselor. That means going to the rep visits when the colleges come to your school in the fall and going out to visit them at their schools, or maybe even doing a virtual visit from home. It means reading through a given school’s website. And, if you have a particular major or field or career that you’re excited about, find out what a given school offers and if it has what you’re looking for. If you don’t have a particular major or field in mind, find colleges that specialize in helping students like you navigate that path.
But if all of this feels like more work than you’re able to handle (like it feels like too much for you to do alone, especially if this is your first time going through it) there are plenty of independent college advisers like us who have decades of experience that you can utilize to build that list for the unique student you are, with our real human knowledge and human experience.
FAQ
Can I use ChatGPT or AI at all when building my college list?
Yes, but in a limited way. AI is excellent for comparing schools side-by-side, researching pros and cons of specific programs, or understanding differences between majors. It is not good at creating a personalized, best-fit list tailored to who you are as an individual student.
Why do AI-generated college lists often look the same?
Because large language models are trained to give the most common, frequently discussed answers online. That means they default to the same handful of well-known, highly competitive schools that everyone else is also applying to which increases your competition and reduces your chances.
What’s the biggest risk of relying too heavily on AI for college planning?
You can end up with a generic list that doesn’t reflect your personality, academic interests, social preferences, or long-term goals. You may also receive overly optimistic feedback that gives you false confidence about your chances at highly selective schools.
Should I still visit colleges and talk to counselors if I’m using AI?
Absolutely. Old-fashioned research (campus visits (virtual or in-person), rep visits, college fairs, conversations with your guidance counselor, and reading college websites) remains the best way to find schools where you will actually thrive. AI can support this process, but it cannot replace it.
If building a truly personalized college list feels overwhelming, or if you want expert guidance that goes far beyond what any chatbot can offer, our team at Solution Prep is here to help. We bring decades of real human experience to help students find the right-fit colleges— not just the most popular ones.
Have questions about your college list or want personalized support through the admissions process? Contact us or call 732-556-8220. We’re here to help you make smarter, more strategic decisions.
