No, That AI Tool Will Not Replace Your Admissions Team
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to gain momentum in higher education, one question keeps popping up in conversations: Will AI replace admissions teams? The answer is simple—no. But it can make them more effective, efficient, and empowered than ever before.
AI is not here to replace people; it’s here to enhance their work. It’s a tool—a powerful one—that can free up admissions professionals to focus on what truly matters: connecting with prospective students, building relationships, and making informed decisions that align with institutional goals and values. Let’s break this down.
1. AI Handles the Data, Humans Make the Decisions
Admissions teams are often overwhelmed with massive amounts of data—from test scores and transcripts to essays and demographic information. According to an Inside Higher Ed report, the average admissions office processes thousands of applications annually, each containing multiple data points that need review. test scores and transcripts to essays and demographic information. AI tools excel at processing and analyzing this data at lightning speed. But while AI can flag trends, predict enrollment probabilities, or identify patterns, it can’t understand the nuance of a student’s story or the cultural fit of a candidate.
Human expertise is irreplaceable when it comes to making decisions that require empathy, intuition, and a deep understanding of institutional priorities. AI can provide the insights, but people provide the context.
2. Your Secret Weapon for Personalization
The days of one-size-fits-all recruitment are over. According to a Ruffalo Noel Levitz report, 87% of prospective students expect personalized communication during their admissions journey, underscoring the need for tailored outreach. Prospective students expect personalized outreach, and AI can help make that happen. By analyzing a student’s interactions with your website, emails, and other touchpoints, AI tools can identify what each student cares about most—whether it’s scholarships, campus culture, or a specific program.
This allows admissions teams to craft tailored messages that resonate with individual prospects. Instead of spending hours combing through data, staff can focus on building meaningful relationships that lead to better outcomes for both students and institutions.
3. Efficiency, Not Replacement
Let’s be real: Admissions offices are stretched thin. AI can take on repetitive, time-consuming tasks like initial application reviews, lead scoring, and responding to frequently asked questions. (We think admission counselors need to be skilled in data analytics.) This doesn’t eliminate the need for people; it ensures they spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on strategic, high-value work.
Think of it this way: AI is like a super-efficient assistant that handles the grunt work, so your team can focus on the parts of their job that only they can do.
4. Empathy Can’t Be Automated
The heart of admissions is connection. Prospective students aren’t just looking for information—they’re looking for guidance, encouragement, and support. In fact, a recent survey by EAB found that 80% of students rated personalized communication and human interaction as critical factors in their decision-making process. An AI tool can’t have a heartfelt conversation with a nervous applicant or reassure a parent worried about financial aid. It can’t read between the lines of an essay or understand the unique barriers a student has overcome.
Empathy is what makes admissions teams indispensable. AI can assist with logistics, but it’s the human touch that builds trust and inspires students to choose your institution.
5. Preparing for an AI-Enhanced Future
Rather than fearing AI, admissions teams should embrace it as a tool that amplifies their strengths. For example, institutions like Georgia State University have successfully implemented AI chatbots to improve student engagement and reduce summer melt, demonstrating how technology can support rather than replace human efforts. The key is thoughtful implementation: Choose tools that align with your goals, provide robust training for your team, and ensure that the technology supports, rather than dictates, your processes.
At the end of the day, the most successful admissions offices will be those that combine the best of both worlds—the efficiency and insights of AI with the humanity and expertise of their teams.
Final Thoughts
AI tools are transforming the way we approach admissions, but they’re not a replacement for people—they’re a resource that 66% of higher education institutions are adopting to enhance efficiency and decision-making, according to a recent Educause survey. a resource to help people do their jobs better. When used effectively, AI empowers admissions teams to focus on what matters most: guiding students through one of the most important decisions of their lives.
So, no. That AI tool will not replace your admissions team. But it might just make them unstoppable.
