Should you use AI when drafting your personal essays? Because application essays are the primary means for schools to "hear" your voice and who you are, the general answer is no--but it's a bit more nuanced than that. Here are some considerations you must take into account this application season:
- Most schools recognize the value of AI in brainstorming and organizing an essay, as well as grammar and spell-checking, and allow for limited assistance. These colleges include Cornell, Emory, Johns Hopkins, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia, Washington University, and Yale. Caltech allows for the use of AI, but requires the student to disclose it on the application.
- Other schools have not yet released any clear guidance on the use of AI in the application process, including Duke, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
- A few schools have come out strongly against any use of generative AI, such as Brown. On the other side, there are a few schools like the University of Wisconsin, who have said they won't check or penalize for the use of AI.
The Common Application, currently the most popular application portal in use, has labeled the use of generative AI to submit substantive content as academic fraud, and if proven, will treat it as such. Before you submit your application, you must type-sign your name to several affirmations, the relevant one being this:
I certify that all information submitted in the admission process — including this application and any other supporting materials — is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented, and that these documents will become the property of the institution to which I am applying and will not be returned to me. I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree should the information I have certified be false.
In conclusion, AI is generally allowed for brainstorming, organizing, and checking spelling and grammar. It is widely not approved for actual crafting of sentences, and can get your application disqualified. Letting your personal voice through is very important in your essays, so we discourage using AI, though we acknowledge it could be beneficial for some. Be careful and judicious in using any generative AI, and know the policies of each school to which you apply. Be aware that colleges may be screening not only essays, but art and music portfolios as well!
Best of luck this application season.