Colby College AI Policy for College Applications
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L0 (unchanged)
Disclosure: D0 (unchanged)
Enforcement: E1 → E0 (Unknown policy)
This school updated their AI admissions policy between our September 2025 and February 2026 reviews.
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at Colby College?
Colby College has no explicit AI policy for admissions essays. While not explicitly prohibited, the lack of clear guidance means students should be cautious.
Disclosure: Colby College does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: Colby College has not indicated how they check for AI use in admissions essays.
Last verified: 2026-02-17 • Confidence: High
What This Means For Your Application
✓Generally Safe
- Grammar and spell-checking tools
- Getting human feedback on drafts
✗Avoid
- Submitting AI-generated paragraphs as your own
💡No explicit policy doesn't mean AI is allowed — err on the side of caution
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“No AI-specific admissions essay policy found on Colby College admissions website or FAQ pages.”
— Requirements - Colby College Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“Colby conducts routine audits of select applications to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted as part of the application process.”
— Requirements - Colby College Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“The submission of materially false or misleading information in an application is grounds for Colby to deny or revoke admission.”
— Requirements - Colby College Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
Sources Verified
All sources checked (10)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://afa.colby.edu/apply/
- https://afa.colby.edu/apply/requirements/
- https://afa.colby.edu/apply/faq/
- https://www.colby.edu/admission/apply/first-year-faq/
- https://www.colby.edu/academics/academic-integrity/
- https://life.colby.edu/your-safety/community-values-conflict-resolution-and-restorative-practice/student-handbook/
- https://www.colby.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GC-AI-Guidance-Document-16.pdf
- https://davisinstituteai.colby.edu/
- https://news.colby.edu/story/lets-talk-about-artificial-intelligence/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L0 | D0 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
Colby College has no explicit AI policy for admissions essays. The admissions site (afa.colby.edu) contains no mention of AI, ChatGPT, or generative AI in relation to application materials. Colby conducts routine application audits and warns that false or misleading information is grounds for denial or revocation, but this is a general integrity measure not specific to AI. The college's legal AI guidance document (August 2025) and student handbook AI references apply to enrolled students and faculty, not applicants. Colby does not require supplemental essays; applicants submit the Common App personal statement. Despite being a leader in AI education through the Davis Institute for AI and the Mule Chat platform, Colby has not published admissions-specific AI guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colby College allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to Colby College?
How does Colby College check for AI?
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