Harvey Mudd College AI Policy for College Applications
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at Harvey Mudd College?
Harvey Mudd College has no explicit AI policy for admissions essays. While not explicitly prohibited, the lack of clear guidance means students should be cautious.
Disclosure: Harvey Mudd College does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: Harvey Mudd College has not indicated how they check for AI use in admissions essays.
Last verified: 2026-02-17 (no change from 2025-09-19) • 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 admissions website”
— Application FAQ - Harvey Mudd College Admission(Verified: Feb 2026)
“The most important thing we are looking for in your essay is authenticity”
— Application FAQ - Harvey Mudd College Admission(Verified: Feb 2026)
“After you've written it, ask yourself if it sounds like you”
— Application FAQ - Harvey Mudd College Admission(Verified: Feb 2026)
Sources Verified
All sources checked (8)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://www.hmc.edu/admission/apply/
- https://www.hmc.edu/admission/apply/first-year-students/
- https://www.hmc.edu/admission/apply/faqs/
- https://www.hmc.edu/admission/newly-admitted/
- https://www.hmc.edu/admission/2022/09/09/quick-college-essay-tips/
- https://www.hmc.edu/ashmc/honor-code/
- https://www.hmc.edu/cis/ai-at-hmc/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
Additional Context
Harvey Mudd College has no explicit AI policy for admissions essays. The admissions FAQ emphasizes authenticity and genuine student voice but does not mention AI, ChatGPT, or generative tools. The college has an institutional AI strategy (AI at HMC, IAL-AI lab) focused on academic and operational use by enrolled students and faculty, with no reference to admissions materials. The Honor Code emphasizes honesty and integrity but does not reference AI or application materials. HMC is undergraduate-only. Requires Common App personal statement plus supplemental essays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harvey Mudd College allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to Harvey Mudd College?
How does Harvey Mudd College check for AI?
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