Do colleges use AI detection tools to check supplemental essays?
I've been working really hard on my supplemental essays, but I'm starting to get worried about whether colleges actually screen for AI-generated content. I heard some schools use software to detect if your essays were written by ChatGPT or something similar. Is this common practice now?
I've written everything myself, but I'm nervous that even using a grammar checker or asking a friend for feedback could trigger a false positive. Does anyone know if colleges have actually rejected applicants because of suspected AI use in their submissions?
It would really help to understand how strict schools are about this, and if there are any clear ways to avoid getting flagged unfairly.
I've written everything myself, but I'm nervous that even using a grammar checker or asking a friend for feedback could trigger a false positive. Does anyone know if colleges have actually rejected applicants because of suspected AI use in their submissions?
It would really help to understand how strict schools are about this, and if there are any clear ways to avoid getting flagged unfairly.
1 week ago
•
10 views
Camille L.
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Right now, most colleges do not routinely use AI detection tools to screen supplemental essays. While the conversation about AI-generated content in college admissions is happening, there is no widespread, official policy or common practice among U.S. colleges and universities to scan every essay for AI use. Admissions offices mostly rely on trained readers rather than automated tools to evaluate applications.
Some schools have signaled they may review essays for authenticity, but these checks tend to be manual—for example, comparing your writing voice against other materials, or checking if the essay significantly departs from the style of your other work. Large-scale rejection simply for suspected use of grammar checkers or standard edits is not known to be happening. Having a friend or teacher review your essay, or using a grammar tool like Grammarly, won’t put you at risk as these are normal parts of the revision process.
There have not been any public, confirmed cases of applicants being rejected only because an essay was suspected (or detected) as AI-generated. Colleges are aware of the limits and inaccuracies of current AI-detection software—these tools can easily create false positives, especially for essays from multilingual applicants or writing that's been well edited.
To reduce the risk of being unfairly flagged, focus on personal stories, details, and experiences only you can share. For example, describing a specific moment that changed your perspective, like the time you spoke up at your school board meeting after noticing an issue firsthand, makes it clear the story is unique to you. If you're ever concerned, you can save drafts and notes to show your writing process, though this is rarely if ever requested.
Ultimately, colleges want authentic voices, not essays that sound artificially formal or generic. If your work reflects your real experiences and growth, you’re on the right track.
Some schools have signaled they may review essays for authenticity, but these checks tend to be manual—for example, comparing your writing voice against other materials, or checking if the essay significantly departs from the style of your other work. Large-scale rejection simply for suspected use of grammar checkers or standard edits is not known to be happening. Having a friend or teacher review your essay, or using a grammar tool like Grammarly, won’t put you at risk as these are normal parts of the revision process.
There have not been any public, confirmed cases of applicants being rejected only because an essay was suspected (or detected) as AI-generated. Colleges are aware of the limits and inaccuracies of current AI-detection software—these tools can easily create false positives, especially for essays from multilingual applicants or writing that's been well edited.
To reduce the risk of being unfairly flagged, focus on personal stories, details, and experiences only you can share. For example, describing a specific moment that changed your perspective, like the time you spoke up at your school board meeting after noticing an issue firsthand, makes it clear the story is unique to you. If you're ever concerned, you can save drafts and notes to show your writing process, though this is rarely if ever requested.
Ultimately, colleges want authentic voices, not essays that sound artificially formal or generic. If your work reflects your real experiences and growth, you’re on the right track.
Camille L.
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating