Colleges are adopting a patchwork of rules on student use of artificial intelligence in applications, leaving applicants to navigate inconsistent standards. Some institutions publish detailed guidance on if and how AI tools may be used—often calling for disclosure or limits—while others offer only broad principles or no policies at all. The variability is reshaping how students approach key elements like the Common App personal statement; at Northwestern University, which no longer requires the essay, some applicants still choose to submit one. The uneven policies reflect broader tensions over academic integrity, access and authenticity as AI becomes ubiquitous in writing and research tools.
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