Are colleges currently using AI detectors to check application essays?
I'm starting to hear a lot about people using AI tools to help with their college essays, and some say schools have software to detect this. Does anyone know if colleges are actually running essays through AI detectors?
I’m genuinely curious because I’ve put a lot of work into my essays and want to make sure I’m on the safe side. Are there any colleges that have confirmed they use these kinds of tools, or is it mostly just speculation? I’d love to hear if anyone has any firsthand info or resources on this topic.
It just seems like there’s a lot of confusion right now, especially with all the new tech out there, so any clarity would be great.
I’m genuinely curious because I’ve put a lot of work into my essays and want to make sure I’m on the safe side. Are there any colleges that have confirmed they use these kinds of tools, or is it mostly just speculation? I’d love to hear if anyone has any firsthand info or resources on this topic.
It just seems like there’s a lot of confusion right now, especially with all the new tech out there, so any clarity would be great.
1 week ago
•
19 views
Roger Lopez
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Right now, there’s no industry-wide policy that all colleges follow when it comes to checking application essays for AI-generated content. Some admissions offices have publicly acknowledged that they’re aware of AI in the application process and are discussing how to handle it, but very few have officially stated that they use AI detectors on essays as a routine part of their review.
There’s a lot of speculation because AI tools like ChatGPT are fairly new in the college admissions landscape. While companies do offer "AI detection" software, many of these tools produce inconsistent or unreliable results and sometimes flag genuine student writing as AI-generated. Because of this, most schools are treading carefully and not making any permanent policy changes just yet.
For example, several admissions officers at prominent universities have been quoted in news articles saying that their schools either don’t currently use AI detectors, or, if they do, it’s on a case-by-case basis for essays that seem very suspicious—like ones that look disconnected from the rest of the application. The UC system and other large public universities haven’t confirmed any standardized use of detection tools at this time.
Your concern is valid, and it’s great that you’re making sure your work is authentically yours. As of now, you’re unlikely to have your essay automatically run through an AI detector at most schools, but this may change in the future as technology evolves. The safest path will always be making sure your essays reflect your own voice, ideas, and life story.
If you really want to be extra cautious, some students use AI detection tools themselves to check their work. Just be aware that even human-written essays sometimes get flagged, so don’t panic if you see inconsistent results. Ultimately, authenticity in your writing will stand out—the admissions reader can usually tell when an essay genuinely reflects a student’s personality and experiences.
If you're ever unsure, reaching out directly to the admissions office of specific schools can provide clarity, too. But as of spring 2024, there’s no widespread or confirmed use of AI detectors in college admissions.
There’s a lot of speculation because AI tools like ChatGPT are fairly new in the college admissions landscape. While companies do offer "AI detection" software, many of these tools produce inconsistent or unreliable results and sometimes flag genuine student writing as AI-generated. Because of this, most schools are treading carefully and not making any permanent policy changes just yet.
For example, several admissions officers at prominent universities have been quoted in news articles saying that their schools either don’t currently use AI detectors, or, if they do, it’s on a case-by-case basis for essays that seem very suspicious—like ones that look disconnected from the rest of the application. The UC system and other large public universities haven’t confirmed any standardized use of detection tools at this time.
Your concern is valid, and it’s great that you’re making sure your work is authentically yours. As of now, you’re unlikely to have your essay automatically run through an AI detector at most schools, but this may change in the future as technology evolves. The safest path will always be making sure your essays reflect your own voice, ideas, and life story.
If you really want to be extra cautious, some students use AI detection tools themselves to check their work. Just be aware that even human-written essays sometimes get flagged, so don’t panic if you see inconsistent results. Ultimately, authenticity in your writing will stand out—the admissions reader can usually tell when an essay genuinely reflects a student’s personality and experiences.
If you're ever unsure, reaching out directly to the admissions office of specific schools can provide clarity, too. But as of spring 2024, there’s no widespread or confirmed use of AI detectors in college admissions.
Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years