Will colleges use AI detectors to check essays this year?

Your concern is completely understandable, especially with all the talk about AI and college applications in the news lately. Right now, there’s no evidence that most colleges are widely using AI detectors to screen every essay for possible use of ChatGPT or similar tools. Some admissions offices have expressed concerns about authenticity, and a handful may experiment with AI detection software, but it’s not the standard across the industry.

A lot of the worry comes from rumors online and articles that sometimes exaggerate the issue. Admissions offices rely primarily on the voice, originality, and consistency of your application materials to judge authenticity. If your essays match your writing style in emails, interviews, or other materials, there’s little reason to be suspicious.

It’s true that AI detection tools can give false positives, flagging original work as “possibly AI-generated.” These tools are not fully reliable; even their creators recommend not using them as the sole basis for making high-stakes decisions. Colleges are aware of these limitations. For example, OpenAI discontinued their own detection tool due to inaccuracies. If a concern did arise, most colleges would likely reach out for clarification instead of immediately rejecting an application.

If you wrote your essays yourself, you don’t have to worry. To give an example, there have been cases where professors or teachers have used AI detectors on totally original student work and received false readings, but after discussions, they realized the issue was with the tool, not the student.

Focus on expressing your authentic voice. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, save drafts of your work and any notes, which could be helpful if ever questioned. But to reassure you: this is not a process happening at every school, and with genuine effort and honesty, you’re in the clear. Best of luck with your applications!