Can I use ChatGPT to help edit my college essay, or is that not allowed?
I've been working really hard on my college essay and it's basically done, but I still feel like it could use some polishing. I was thinking about copying my essay into ChatGPT to have it suggest edits or help with wording. I'm not sure if that's okay, though. Is using ChatGPT for editing considered cheating or against the rules for college applications?
I want my essay to be the best it can be, but I don't want to risk getting in trouble for using the wrong kind of help. Have any of you used AI tools like this for editing, and did you feel like it was crossing a line? I'd love to hear thoughts or experiences from anyone who's done something similar.
I want my essay to be the best it can be, but I don't want to risk getting in trouble for using the wrong kind of help. Have any of you used AI tools like this for editing, and did you feel like it was crossing a line? I'd love to hear thoughts or experiences from anyone who's done something similar.
4 months ago
•
38 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You’re definitely not the only one asking this question right now! Colleges haven't outright banned using AI tools for editing or reviewing your work, but there are some guidelines you should keep in mind to make sure you’re staying on the right side of things.
Most schools’ expectations are that your essay should reflect your authentic voice, and it should be a product of your own ideas and writing style. Getting outside feedback—whether from a teacher, peer, or an editing tool—is totally normal. For example, lots of students have their essays reviewed by counselors or tutors for grammar and clarity. Using ChatGPT or similar tools to point out grammar issues, awkward sentences, or to help with transitions is generally okay, as long as you aren’t copying large chunks of AI-generated text or having the tool write the essay for you.
What would be a problem is if you type in a prompt like “Write my college essay about my summer internship,” and then use what it spits out as your essay. That crosses the line and could be considered misrepresentation. But if you paste your already-completed essay into a tool to get suggestions for smoother sentences or minor word changes (the way you’d ask a peer to proofread), that’s closer to the kind of help colleges expect you might get.
One way to stay ethical is to use the suggestions as a guide, not as a substitution for your work. For instance, if ChatGPT suggests rephrasing a sentence for clarity, make sure your new version still feels like your voice.
In short, using AI as an editing assistant is generally fine, as long as your essay, ideas, and writing are still your own. If you’re ever unsure, double-check the specific policies for the schools you’re applying to—some places have started adding language about AI in their application guidelines. Also, when in doubt, you can always ask your college counselor about what's appropriate.
Lots of students use tools for feedback, so don’t feel guilty about seeking out resources to polish your final draft. The important thing is that your story and perspective come through loud and clear!
Most schools’ expectations are that your essay should reflect your authentic voice, and it should be a product of your own ideas and writing style. Getting outside feedback—whether from a teacher, peer, or an editing tool—is totally normal. For example, lots of students have their essays reviewed by counselors or tutors for grammar and clarity. Using ChatGPT or similar tools to point out grammar issues, awkward sentences, or to help with transitions is generally okay, as long as you aren’t copying large chunks of AI-generated text or having the tool write the essay for you.
What would be a problem is if you type in a prompt like “Write my college essay about my summer internship,” and then use what it spits out as your essay. That crosses the line and could be considered misrepresentation. But if you paste your already-completed essay into a tool to get suggestions for smoother sentences or minor word changes (the way you’d ask a peer to proofread), that’s closer to the kind of help colleges expect you might get.
One way to stay ethical is to use the suggestions as a guide, not as a substitution for your work. For instance, if ChatGPT suggests rephrasing a sentence for clarity, make sure your new version still feels like your voice.
In short, using AI as an editing assistant is generally fine, as long as your essay, ideas, and writing are still your own. If you’re ever unsure, double-check the specific policies for the schools you’re applying to—some places have started adding language about AI in their application guidelines. Also, when in doubt, you can always ask your college counselor about what's appropriate.
Lots of students use tools for feedback, so don’t feel guilty about seeking out resources to polish your final draft. The important thing is that your story and perspective come through loud and clear!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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