AI and College Application Essays: Understanding the Dos and Don'ts
With widespread availability of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini, students and parents are increasingly asking:
Can AI be used to help write a college essay—and if so, how?
The answer is nuanced. Some colleges allow limited AI support for brainstorming or grammar checks, while others strictly prohibit any use beyond basic proofreading. What’s consistent across the board is this: Admissions officers want to hear the student’s voice, not AI’s.
Used ethically, AI support can be similar to that of a teacher or counselor. Misused, it can jeopardize authenticity—and even lead to a rescinded admission offer. This guide outlines how to use AI responsibly and reviews evolving college policies on the topic.
The Essay’s Role in Holistic Admissions
While not the topmost factor in admissions decisions, the college essay remains a powerful opportunity for students to express who they are beyond their academic record and test scores. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), essays rank below coursework, GPA, and character. Still, they are often the only component fully under a student's control in senior year.
As Grant Gosselin, Dean of Undergraduate Admission at Boston College, explains:
“The personal statement is the opportunity for an applicant to be in the driver’s seat.”
Ethical and Effective Ways to Use AI
AI can be used appropriately in a few limited ways—particularly in preparation and revision. These uses align with how students might work with a trusted teacher or counselor.
1. Brainstorming and Idea Generation
AI can help students explore potential topics or jumpstart the creative process with prompts and questions. For example:
“What are common themes in essays for students applying to pre-med programs?”
“Suggest a few ways to begin an essay about a personal challenge.”
Georgia Tech encourages students to use AI as a brainstorming partner, particularly when other support isn’t available.
2. Structuring and Organising
AI can suggest ways to logically present your ideas or help develop an outline. Macalester College supports this kind of guidance, comparing AI to a teacher who helps organize thoughts, not write them.
3. Grammar and Readability Checks
Most schools agree that using tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor to catch grammar mistakes or clarify phrasing is acceptable. This is akin to asking a teacher to proofread your work.
Caltech, WashU, Cornell, and Bucknell explicitly permit grammar and clarity-focused AI use—so long as the final work is the student’s own.
How NOT to Use AI
Despite its capabilities, AI has clear limitations. It should never be used to replace or dilute your authentic voice.
1. Don’t Let AI Generate or Draft Content
Many institutions—including Brown, BYU, and the Common Application—explicitly prohibit using AI to write, outline, or translate essays.
Common App’s Policy:
“Submitting the substantive content or output of an artificial intelligence platform… as one’s own original work constitutes fraud.”
Even if an AI-generated sentence sounds good, if it’s not yours, it shouldn’t be in your application.
2. Don’t Use AI to Express Your Voice
Your tone, humor, perspective, and personality are what make your essay stand out. AI tends to produce generic, formulaic language that lacks depth and specificity.
Macalester warns that AI often “sanitizes” the student voice, while Cornell cautions that AI-generated essays tend to feel inauthentic and fail to reflect what makes you unique.
3. Don’t Rely on AI for Translation or Portfolio Work
Caltech and Cornell explicitly ban AI translation and the use of AI to generate images or creative content for portfolios.
College-by-College AI Policies: What You Need to Know
Colleges vary widely in their AI guidelines. Below is a condensed summary; always check each school’s admissions site for the latest policies.
Strict or Prohibitive AI Use
Brown University – Allows AI only for spelling and grammar. Link
BYU – Prohibits all generative AI use; violations may lead to rescinded admission. Link
Common App – Using AI to create content is considered fraud across all member institutions. Link
Moderate or Balanced Policies
Caltech – Allows AI for brainstorming and proofreading, not for outlining or writing. Link
Emory University – AI can be used as a "coach," not a creator. Authenticity and student voice are paramount. Link
Cornell University – Supports ethical use for research and grammar checks; prohibits outlining or writing. Link
WashU – Allows AI for clarity and proofreading; discourages its use for idea generation or drafting. Link
Permissive, With Emphasis on Responsibility
Georgia Tech – Encourages thoughtful use of AI for brainstorming, editing, and activities section support. Link
Macalester College – Permits AI as a support tool for editing and organizing ideas, not for generating content. Link
Bucknell University – AI may help brainstorm and edit, but content must be your own. Link
AI, Equity, and Accessibility
AI may provide support for students who lack access to essay coaching or college counselors. Used ethically, it can serve as a brainstorming or organizational aid—much like a teacher might help with outlining.
Georgia Tech and Macalester acknowledge AI’s potential to level the playing field—but all agree that the final essay must reflect your own thinking.
Some students with learning differences may consider AI an accessibility tool. If you fall into this category, be especially cautious to follow each college’s specific guidelines to avoid violating academic integrity policies.
Final Takeaways
Using AI in your application requires thoughtful judgment. Follow these core principles to stay safe and authentic:
DO:
Use AI to brainstorm, organize, or polish grammar.
Treat AI like a supportive teacher—not a ghostwriter.
Double-check each college’s AI policy.
Focus on telling your story in your voice.
DON'T:
Let AI outline, draft, or write your essay.
Submit any content not written by you.
Ignore or misunderstand school-specific guidelines.
Assume colleges won’t detect AI-generated text—they can and do.
As Emory University’s policy states:
“No generative AI tool can capture the authenticity of your personal journey—that’s why your voice must come through.”
Need Help Crafting an Authentic Essay?
Navigating college applications in the age of AI is complex—but you don’t have to do it alone. Our expert team at Score At The Top has guided thousands of students through the essay-writing process with personalized, ethical support.
For guidance that puts your voice at the center, visit the Score At The Top Website.
Bonus Resource: For a regularly updated list of AI usage policies at U.S. colleges, visit AI Policies Specific to Admissions.
