We have introduced a new AI modal to boost your academic performance

All University AI Policies

Dartmouth CollegeAI Policy for Admissions

General Policy:Brainstorming onlyNo disclosure requiredManual review possible
  • PermissionCan you use AI?
    Brainstorming only
  • DisclosureMust you disclose AI use?
    No disclosure required
  • ComplianceHow is it verified?
    Manual review possible
01 What this means for your application

Generally safe

  • Leverage AI to learn about Dartmouth's programs, culture, and academic offerings as you shape your application strategy.
  • Use AI as a thinking partner to spark initial ideas or explore potential essay topics before you start writing.

Things to Avoid

  • Do not use AI to produce a structured outline of your essay — this is explicitly flagged as compromising authenticity at the graduate level and discouraged across all programs.
  • Never allow AI to compose any portion of your personal statement, supplemental essays, or other written application materials.
  • Avoid submitting any content that was generated or substantially shaped by an AI tool — admissions readers are trained to spot the absence of a genuine personal voice.
02 Policy evidence

  • “you can use AI maybe as a thinking partner or a brainstorming tool, but not as the author of your essays”

    Admissions Beat S8E2 Transcript

  • “with AI, the way it writes, it just doesn't sound like a teenager. We want them to have that zip”

    Admissions Beat S8E2 Transcript

  • “using them to outline, draft, or write your essay compromises the authenticity of your application”

    Admissions Information - Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

  • “It's a disservice to yourself if you allow AI to create a person that you're not”

    Admissions Beat S4E5 Transcript
03 Program-specific policies & specific guidelines

  • Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

    P3 • Brainstorming onlyD0 • No disclosure requiredC0 • No compliance stated

    “tools like generative AI may be helpful for researching programs or checking grammar, using them to outline, draft, or write your essay compromises the authenticity”

    View Source

    Applies to: statement of purpose

  • Thayer School of Engineering (PhD/MEM)

    P3 • Brainstorming onlyD0 • No disclosure requiredC0 • No compliance stated

    “using them to outline, draft, or write your essay compromises the authenticity of your application and violates both Dartmouth's admissions policies and the Academic Honor Policy”

    View Source

    Applies to: statement of purpose

Allowed Uses

  • brainstorming
  • organizing ideas
  • grammar/spell check
  • researching programs

Not Allowed

  • outlining essays
  • drafting essays
  • writing essays
  • AI-authored content in application materials
04 Sources verified

Confidence: HighLast verified: 2026-02-04
05 Policy summary

  • Dartmouth has no single formal written AI policy, but consistent guidance across undergraduate and graduate levels draws a clear line: AI is a brainstorming tool, not a writing tool.

  • Dean of Admissions Lee Coffin has addressed AI use directly on the Admissions Beat podcast (S8E2, S4E5), warning that AI-generated text lacks the authentic teenage voice readers expect and can constitute a disservice to the applicant.

  • Graduate programs (Guarini School, Thayer Engineering) have explicit written policies prohibiting AI involvement in outlining, drafting, or writing essays, and frame violations as potential breaches of the Academic Honor Policy.

06 Additional context

Undergraduate admissions has no formal written AI policy on its website, but Dean of Admissions Lee Coffin and admissions staff provide clear guidance via the Admissions Beat podcast (S8E2, Sep 2025; S4E5, Oct 2023): AI may be used as a brainstorming or thinking partner, but students must write essays themselves. Admissions readers say they can detect AI-written content by its lack of authentic teenage voice. Graduate programs (Guarini School, Thayer Engineering) have explicit written policies prohibiting AI for outlining, drafting, or writing essays, while permitting grammar checking and program research. Graduate policies reference Academic Honor Policy violations. Reclassified from (P1) to (P3): the consistent message across all levels is 'use AI to think, not to write.' Compliance set to (C1) based on podcast statements that readers watch for voice consistency.

07 Schools with similar policies

Yale University

Brainstorming onlyNo disclosure requiredManual review possible

Cornell University

Brainstorming onlyNo disclosure requiredManual review possible

University of San Diego

Brainstorming onlyNo disclosure requiredManual review possible

Ready to submit your essay with confidence?

Join thousands of academy professionals who check their essays before it counts.

Upload your first essay