Does UCLA ban me from using AI to write my application essays?
Yes, UCLA prohibits applicants from letting AI generate all or part of their application essays, treating it as a firm rule rather than a suggestion. This mirrors Harvard GSAS, which similarly states application materials may not be created by generative AI tools.
If you are applying to UCLA, you cannot use AI to write any portion of your application essay, since the university explicitly prohibits this rather than simply discouraging it.
UCLA's AI Policy at a Glance
| Practice | UCLA's Stance |
|---|---|
| AI writing part of your essay | Prohibited |
| AI writing your entire essay | Prohibited |
| Using your own original ideas and words | Required |
How This Compares to Other Schools
UCLA is not alone in taking this firm stance, since institutions like Harvard GSAS have adopted similarly explicit bans on generative AI drafting application materials. This growing trend suggests more schools will formalise similar rules rather than leaving AI use as a grey area.
My Advice
Treat any AI tool as something to use only after your own draft exists, for tasks like catching typos or awkward phrasing, never for generating the actual content, arguments or stories in your essay.
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