Bucknell University AI Policy for College Applications
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at Bucknell University?
Bucknell University allows limited AI use for editing and improving your own writing. AI can help with grammar, clarity, and sentence-level edits, but you must write the core content yourself.
Disclosure: Bucknell University does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: Bucknell University may conduct manual reviews to check for AI use, looking for inconsistencies in voice or style.
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
“everything you submit as part of your application to Bucknell should be your own”
— Apply to Bucknell University(Verified: Feb 2026)
“You should not copy and paste content into your application that you did not create”
— Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“rely on them as you would a teacher, family member or friend — for brainstorming, editing and honing your work”
— Apply to Bucknell University(Verified: Feb 2026)
“crossing a line when you're going to ChatGPT or another AI tool to help you actually draft the essay”
— Episode 86: Tackling the Application Essay(Updated: 2024-12-20)
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •brainstorming
- •editing
- •honing work
- •generating ideas
✗ Not Allowed
- •copy and paste content not created by student
- •AI-generated drafts or paragraphs
Sources Verified
All sources checked (10)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/virtual-welcome-center/frequently-asked-questions-about-admissions
- https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-blog/tips-writing-college-application-essay
- https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/apply-bucknell/undergraduate-admission-requirements
- https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-blog/how-to-use-ai-find-right-college
- https://www.bucknell.edu/episode-95-artificial-intelligence-college-admissions
- https://www.bucknell.edu/episode-86-tackling-application-essay
- https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-blog
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L2 | D0 | E1 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L2 | D0 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
Bucknell's AI policy for admissions essays is clearly stated on both the Apply page and the Admissions FAQ under 'Statement on Artificial Intelligence.' AI tools like ChatGPT may be used for brainstorming, editing, and honing work — treated like help from a teacher, family member, or friend. Copy-pasting AI-generated content is explicitly prohibited. Podcast Episode 86 (Dec 2024) reinforces that using AI to draft essays crosses a line, while brainstorming is acceptable. Episode 95 (Dec 2025) discusses institutional AI use but not applicant policy. No AI disclosure requirement or formal detection process mentioned for admissions. Policy applies to undergraduate admissions; no separate graduate admissions AI policy found. Classification confirmed as L2 — substantive editing assistance allowed, wholesale AI drafting prohibited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bucknell University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to Bucknell University?
How does Bucknell University check for AI?
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