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California Institute of Technology (Caltech)AI Policy for Admissions

General Policy:Line-level editing allowedMust attest no AI usedManual review possible
  • PermissionCan you use AI?
    Line-level editing allowed
  • DisclosureMust you disclose AI use?
    Must attest no AI used
  • ComplianceHow is it verified?
    Manual review possible
01 What this means for your application

Generally safe

  • Run your finished essays through spell-check and grammar tools (such as Grammarly) to catch surface-level errors — light editing assistance like this is explicitly permitted.
  • Use AI to generate reflective prompts or journaling exercises that help you think through your experiences before you start writing.
  • Research general application strategies, deadlines, and admissions processes using AI as an informational resource.

Things to Avoid

  • Do not use AI translation tools to convert an essay composed in another language into English for submission.
  • Do not ask an AI tool to create an outline or draft structure for your essays; the ideas, organization, and voice must originate entirely with you.
  • Never paste AI-generated text into your essays, even partially — Caltech treats this as a misrepresentation that can lead to rescission of admission.
02 Policy evidence
03 Program-specific policies & specific guidelines

  • Graduate Studies

    P2 • Line-level editing allowedD3 • Must attest no AI usedC1 • Manual review possible

    “these essays must be written entirely by the applicant”

    View Source

    Applies to: personal statement

Allowed Uses

  • grammar and spelling review using tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor
  • generating brainstorming questions or exercises using AI
  • researching the college application process

Not Allowed

  • copying and pasting from AI generators
  • using AI to outline or draft essays
  • replacing personal voice with AI-generated content
  • translating an essay written in another language using AI
04 Sources verified

Confidence: HighLast verified: 2026-04-21
05 Policy summary

  • A 'trusted adult test' framework anchors the policy: if a trusted adult could ethically perform the same task on your behalf (e.g., proofreading), the AI equivalent is permitted; drafting, outlining, or translating content is not.

  • The disclosure requirement has effectively been upgraded to (D3) — while a direct 'Did you use AI?' question from Fall 2025 was removed, applicants must affirmatively certify compliance with the guidelines, carrying the same legal and ethical weight.

  • Caltech's Fall 2026 policy (covering both undergraduate and graduate applicants) requires all applicants to review its Ethical Use of AI guidelines before submitting supplemental essays, with non-compliance potentially triggering admission rescission.

  • The policy does not appear on any major admissions hub, meaning Caltech sets and enforces these rules independently — applicants should consult the official guidelines page directly.

06 Additional context

For Fall 2026, Caltech maintains a clear AI policy covering both undergraduate and graduate admissions. All applicants must review the ethical AI guidelines before submitting supplemental essays, and non-compliance may result in rescission. The previous confidential disclosure question (Fall 2025) asking 'Did you receive any AI generated assistance' is no longer mentioned on the Fall 2026 policy page, replaced by a mandatory guidelines review with rescission consequences. Graduate admissions FAQ explicitly states essays must be written entirely by the applicant. Policy uses the 'trusted adult test' framework: if a trusted adult could ethically do the same task, then using AI for it is ethical. Grammar/spelling tools and brainstorming prompts are allowed; drafting, outlining, translating, and generating content are prohibited. Disclosure upgraded to (D3) because applicants must affirm compliance with guidelines and face explicit rescission consequences for non-compliance.

07 Schools with similar policies

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Line-level editing allowedMust attest no AI usedManual review possible

University of Virginia

Line-level editing allowedMust attest no AI usedManual review possible

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