University of California, BerkeleyAI Policy for Admissions
- PermissionCan you use AI?Line-level editing allowed
- DisclosureMust you disclose AI use?Must attest no AI used
- ComplianceHow is it verified?Uses screening tools
Generally safe
- Run your drafts through AI-assisted grammar and spell-check tools to catch errors before submitting.
- Ask AI for feedback on whether your argument or narrative is landing effectively, then revise in your own words.
- Leverage AI to help you map out a structure or brainstorm which experiences to highlight before you start writing.
Things to Avoid
- Avoid letting AI replace your genuine perspective and personal voice — admissions readers are evaluating your authentic story, not a polished AI persona.
- Never paste AI-written paragraphs into your application as your own; UC runs automated screening on PIQ responses and AI-generated content can trigger disqualification.
- If applying to Berkeley Law (LL.M. or J.S.D.), do not use any AI assistance at all on your personal statement — the Law School imposes a stricter, full prohibition beyond UC baseline rules.
- Verified Feb 2026
“generative artificial intelligence software to assist with readability, but content and final written text must be their own”
How the University of California evaluates student applications - Verified Feb 2026
“using a completely AI-generated answer is another — and one that is equivalent to academic dishonesty”
How the University of California evaluates student applications - Verified Feb 2026
“UC runs plagiarism checks on applications, and if your PIQs are found to have been generated by AI”
How the University of California evaluates student applications - Verified Feb 2026
“An AI tool can help you with structure and readability, but use it with caution”
Shaping your personal narrative: PIQ tips and more from UC admissions experts
UC Berkeley Law (LLM, JSD)
P4 • AI use prohibitedD3 • Must attest no AI usedC0 • No compliance stated“written without assistance from others, including generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, etc.)”
View SourceApplies to: personal statement
Allowed Uses
- advice on content and editing
- assistance with readability
- grammar and spell check
- brainstorming and outlining
Not Allowed
- generating content or final written text
- submitting AI-generated answers as own work
- replacing authentic student voice
- https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/
- https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/application-resources/personal-insight-questions/
- https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/application-resources/application-tips/
- https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/application-resources/selection-process/
- https://admissions.berkeley.edu/application-faqs/
- https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/first-year-applicants-uc-berkeley/applicant-checklist/
- https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/
- https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/application-process/writing-your-statements/
- https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/
- https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/how-applications-are-reviewed.html
- https://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/programs/mims/admissions
- https://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/programs/mims/admissions/essays
- https://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/essays
- https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions/jd/
Berkeley Law (LL.M. and J.S.D. programs) goes significantly further than the UC baseline, explicitly prohibiting all AI assistance on personal statements — applicants to these programs should treat it as a full AI ban regardless of UC system defaults.
UC officials have publicly equated fully AI-generated application responses with academic dishonesty, and UC runs plagiarism and AI-detection screening on Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), meaning automated compliance tools (C2) are actively in use.
University of California, Berkeley hub classification: (P2/D3/C2) — use program-specific pages when policies differ within the institution.
UC Berkeley follows the UC system-wide admissions policy. The UC Statement of Integrity (signed by all applicants in the UC Application) explicitly allows generative AI for readability and editing assistance but requires content and final written text to be the applicant's own. UC officials have stated that completely AI-generated answers are equivalent to academic dishonesty and can result in disqualification. UC runs PIQ responses through plagiarism detection software. The admissions.berkeley.edu site itself does not have a separate Berkeley-specific AI policy page; the policy comes through the UC system application. The previous URL for the UC Statement of Integrity page on admissions.berkeley.edu (admissions.berkeley.edu/apply/uc-statement-integrity/) now returns a 404, suggesting the site was reorganized. Berkeley Law (LLM and JSD programs) explicitly prohibits all AI assistance in personal statements. The iSchool MIMS program states essays must be written by the candidate but does not explicitly mention AI. Reclassified from (P1) to (P2) because the UC Statement of Integrity specifically allows AI for editing/readability but prohibits AI-generated content, which maps to (P2) rather than (P1). Upgraded disclosure from (D2) to (D3) because the Statement of Integrity is a signed attestation explicitly restricting AI use with consequences.
Ready to submit your essay with confidence?
Join thousands of academy professionals who check their essays before it counts.
Upload your first essay