Jennifer Rubin, a Senior Researcher at foundry10 and expert on technology's impact on youth, discusses how AI, particularly tools like ChatGPT, is reshaping the college application process. She shares insights from her research on how higher-income students are more likely to leverage these AI tools. Jenn emphasizes the importance of increasing AI literacy among all students to promote equity. The conversation also addresses ethical considerations and the value of maintaining authenticity in personal essays, providing educators with strategies to navigate this new digital landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Student AI Use and Ethics
30% of students used AI like ChatGPT for college essays, reflecting complex feelings about ethics and authenticity.
Teachers and students differ on ethics of AI in essays versus recommendation letters, revealing varied acceptance.
insights INSIGHT
Income Affects AI Usage
Higher-income students use AI more often, possibly due to awareness, access, confidence, and institutional support.
Lower-income students face barriers like limited exposure, digital literacy, and AI framed as cheating in some schools.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Teach Responsible AI Use
Educators should teach AI literacy focusing on ethical use, strong prompting, and critical evaluation.
Schools need to provide AI access to prevent it becoming an inequity tool.
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In Part 1 of 2 of this mini-series on AI in college admission, Ethan is joined by Jennifer Rubin, Senior Researcher at foundry10 and Principal Investigator of the Digital Technologies and Education Lab. Jen is a first generation college graduate and, like Ethan, she didn't have a ton of support navigating the college application and admission process. When Chat GPT was released, she wondered: How were students actually using these tools for the college essay and application process? And how can we make sure AI becomes a tool for equity, not another advantage for students who already have access?
In this conversation, Ethan and Jen get into:
Some of the most interesting takeaways from her research
Why higher-income students were more likely to use AI in their applications than lower-income students
How educators can increase their students’ AI literacy
How students can use AI without losing their voice
Resources/tools she recommends for students and counselors navigating this new technology
And lots more.
Jennifer Rubin is a Senior Researcher at foundry10 who investigates how technology shapes youth development, learning, and social connections. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley before completing a dual Ph.D. in Psychology and Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Michigan. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator of the Digital Technologies and Education Lab, where she leads research on how social media, generative AI, and digital learning environments impact youth development. Her work explores how young people navigate digital spaces, strategies for educators to meaningfully integrate emerging technologies, and the essential skills needed to foster critical engagement with social media and AI tools.
Hope you enjoy!
Play-by-Play
2:26 – Jen shares her research background and what she’s been working on
4:06 – What have been the most interesting takeaways from Jen’s research?
5:58 – Why were higher-income students more likely to use AI in their applications than lower-income students?
9:16 – What are some practical ways for educators to increase their students’ AI literacy?
13:02 – How can students use AI without losing their voice?
18:47 – What resources or tools does Jen recommend for students and counselors navigating this new technology?
22:52 – Does Jen see ethical gray areas with teacher use of AI?
29:02 – How are colleges approaching AI use in applications?
32:16 – Do AI detectors actually work?
37:16 – How does Jen use AI in her own work and writing?
The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions