AI in College Admissions: A Polygence Guide

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have had a sizable impact on college admissions procedures in recent years. As policies and guidelines around AI in academics evolve, it’s important for students to understand:

• How AI is used in college admissions and throughout university academics

• The expectations around AI use in applications for each institution you’re applying to

• Whether or not to use AI in college applications and in research, and if so, how to use it responsibly

Below, we discuss all of these questions and more.

How Is AI Being Used in College Admissions?

Large language models (LLMs) have become widely used tools for college applicants, especially among those with limited or no access to writing support from college counselors, mentors, or family members. A recent study from Cornell University found that, from 2020 to 2024, applicants to one selective university have increasingly relied on AI tools to write their admissions essays. They also found that, over the same time period, the essays submitted have become increasingly similar, resulting in a “homogenization effect.” In addition, the researchers observed that LLM use was most prominent among low-income applicants and among applicants who were ultimately rejected.

As discussed below, most top colleges and universities in the United States prohibit applicants from using AI to generate essay content. However, there are potentially constructive uses for AI in college admissions. For example, Northwestern University advises applicants that AI can be useful for a variety of application-related tasks, including:

• Conducting initial research on colleges and universities

• Understanding admissions terminology

• Building a college tour itinerary

• Learning about academic majors

• Brainstorming essay topics

• Reviewing spelling and grammar in essays

Finally, many admissions offices use some form of AI in their evaluation processes: mostly for reviewing transcripts or, in some cases, even conducting recorded interviews that are later reviewed by a human admissions officer.

Why College AI Policies Vary

AI policies at colleges and universities are regularly updated. Many institutions have a clear college- or university-wide AI policy in place, but these can vary within the institution depending on the department. Some professors may also adopt their own AI policies for specific courses. Keep in mind, though, that the policies for current students and researchers are not always the same as the standards applied to applicants for admission (see below).

Furthermore, don’t assume that one school’s rules about AI in admissions apply everywhere. And, even if an admissions office doesn’t have a clear policy on AI use, they might use the Common Application—more than 1,000 member colleges do—and their Fraud Policy (linked below) explicitly applies to AI use.

How Colleges Approach AI in Applications

Very few accredited colleges in the U.S. allow AI-generated content in application materials. However, one of the schools encouraging specific, non-content-generating uses of AI is Georgia Tech. They state:

“We believe there is a place for [AI tools] in helping you generate ideas, but your ultimate submission should be your own…. Use it to brainstorm, edit, and refine your ideas. AI can also be a useful tool as you consider how to construct your resume in the Activities portion of the Common Application.”

Some schools have no official AI policies for prospective students, and do not inherit the Common App’s policy. For example, at the time of publication, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has no official policy on AI in application materials. They also do not use the Common App. However, their application requires a series of short responses rather than a long essay. They also specifically state that they do not evaluate applicants’ writing skills through these responses; rather, they value honesty, openness, and authenticity.

The majority of top U.S. schools officially limit applicants’ use of AI. More importantly, though, they make it clear that students shouldn’t use AI in their applications for anything beyond a handful of specific uses.

AI and College Admissions Essays

Undergraduate admissions committees at most top U.S. colleges and universities prohibit the use of AI tools to generate essay content. The Common Application’s Fraud Policy states that using “the substantive content or output of an artificial intelligence platform, technology, or algorithm,” and representing it as the applicant’s own work, constitutes fraud. 

Many universities, like Yale and Brown, clarify that using AI for correcting spelling or grammar of small phrases does not count as generating “substantive content.” Similarly, the University of California’s application system states that students may use “generative artificial intelligence software to assist with readability, but content and final written text must be their own.” Many universities also clarify that using AI to brainstorm topics before you start writing is also acceptable.

Beyond the risks of committing fraud, top admissions offices make clear that AI-generated essays are simply not what they’re looking for. In the post-GPT era, admissions officers are seeking more than clean writing: they’re looking for essays that showcase the applicant’s individuality, authentic voice, and personal character. In a pool of increasingly homogenous essays, using AI may make it harder to stand out.

If you’re unsure of whether an essay is okay to submit, the University of Pennsylvania’s “interview test” can be a helpful guide. According to them, “if you couldn't explain, in an interview or conversation, how you arrived at what you wrote, or speak to it in your own words, it isn't ready to submit.” 

Remember to check the AI regulations of each institution you apply to, as policies can change. 

AI Policies for Student Research and Academic Work

Many students use AI for research and academic work. Common uses for AI in research include:

• AI-assisted data analysis

• AI-assisted coding

• Generation of images and data visualizations

• Top-level research about a general field of study

• Organizational tasks and project management

How to Find a College's Current AI Policy

The first step to find current policies is to review the admissions websites and application instructions. If a school has an explicit policy, it is often stated on pages like “How to Apply,” “Preparing Your Application,” “Application Integrity Statement,” or “Frequently Asked Questions.” Otherwise, you can try searching for something like “[name of school] admissions AI policy”. If you still can’t find a policy, you can contact admissions offices directly to understand their expectations.

How Students Can Use AI Responsibly

If you decide to use AI as a student, Polygence recommends using it critically and sparingly. Start by deciding whether you want to use the tool at all. If so, be cautious. Always follow your institution’s, teacher’s, or research mentor’s guidelines on responsible AI use and be aware of requirements for citation and disclosure of AI tools. Finally, remain skeptical. It’s essential to keep ownership of ideas, analysis, and writing, and to verify all information generated by LLMs.

Why Original Thinking Matters in an AI-Driven Admissions Process

In the post-GPT era, developing independent perspectives is arguably more important than ever. Throughout admissions processes, students are frequently asked to explain and defend their work, to demonstrate their critical thinking and communication skills, and to present themselves and their interests authentically. In college applications, students must own the work they submit in order to express their own perspectives, speak comfortably about their interests during interviews, and own their admissions results.

Admissions committees are clear: showcasing your own authentic work lets you present yourself honestly and transparently, which is what makes you stand out.

Looking for high-quality guidance? Our research mentorship program pairs students with real, experienced mentors for individual feedback. Additionally, Polygence Pods connects students with a mentor and a small group of like-minded peers as they build fundamental research skills together. Finally, our Work Lab places students within cutting-edge startups for hands-on industry experience.