Boston University AI Policy for College Applications
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at Boston University?
It depends on your program:
- •General/Undergraduate: Line-level editing allowed
- •Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (MA/MS): Line-level editing allowed
- •College of Communication (Graduate): AI use prohibited
- •School of Theology: Brainstorming only
Last verified: 2026-02-17 (no change from 2025-09-19) • Confidence: High
What This Means For Your Application
✓Generally Safe
- AI grammar and clarity suggestions
- Rephrasing individual sentences with AI
✗Avoid
- Having AI write entire paragraphs or essays
- Using AI to generate ideas you present as your own
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“the most compelling personal statements are representative of the writer's authentic voice — a nuance that generative AI tools have yet to achieve”
— How to Apply to Boston University | Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“they should only be used to support your original ideas rather than to write your essays in their entirety”
— How to Apply to Boston University | Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“we expect all applicants to adhere to the same standards of academic honesty and integrity as our current students”
— How to Apply to Boston University | Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“only be used to support your original ideas rather than to compose your work in its entirety”
— BU GRS MA & MS Application Requirements and Deadlines | Arts & Sciences(Verified: Feb 2026)
Program-Specific Policies
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (MA/MS)
“only be used to support your original ideas rather than to compose your work in its entirety”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: personal statement, writing samples, application materials
College of Communication (Graduate)
“use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited for the creation of any application materials”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: statement of purpose, essays, writing samples, application materials
School of Theology
“applicants must refrain from generating their application essays using artificial intelligence writing tools”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: personal statement, application essays
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •supporting original ideas
- •limited assistance in essay development
- •grammar/spell check
✗ Not Allowed
- •writing essays in their entirety
- •composing application work in its entirety
Policy Summary by Program
| Program | AI Allowed? | Disclosure | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Undergraduate | Line-level editing allowed | No disclosure required | E1 • Manual review possible |
| Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (MA/MS) | Line-level editing allowed | No disclosure required | E1 • Manual review possible |
| College of Communication (Graduate) | AI use prohibited | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
| School of Theology | Brainstorming only | No disclosure required | E1 • Manual review possible |
Sources Verified
All sources checked (12)
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://www.bu.edu/admissions/apply/
- https://www.bu.edu/cas/admissions/ma-ms/apply/
- https://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/application-instructions/
- https://www.bu.edu/sth/admissions/apply/
- https://www.bu.edu/cas/admissions/phd-mfa/apply/
- https://www.bu.edu/cas/advice-for-your-graduate-school-application/
- https://www.bu.edu/law/admissions-aid/jd-admissions/application-instructions/personal-documents/
- https://www.bu.edu/law/admissions-aid/graduate-admissions/how-to-apply/personal-documents/
- https://www.bu.edu/eng/admissions/graduate/graduate-admissions/application-deadlines-requirements/
- https://www.bu.edu/questrom/graduate-programs/admissions/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L2 | D0 | E1 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L2 | D0 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
BU's central admissions policy (undergraduate and GRS graduate) is L2: AI tools like ChatGPT may be used to support original ideas but not to write essays in their entirety. Policy emphasizes authentic voice. The College of Communication (graduate) is stricter at L4, explicitly prohibiting all generative AI for application materials with consequences of application rejection. The School of Theology is L3, prohibiting AI text generation but encouraging spell/grammar checkers. Law, Medicine, Engineering, PhD/MFA, and Questrom have no explicit AI admissions policy. No formal disclosure requirement across any program. The advisory guidance page for graduate applicants also warns that AI-generated text is easily recognizable by faculty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to Boston University?
How does Boston University check for AI?
Which Boston University programs have different AI policies?
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