Lehigh University 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 Lehigh University?
Lehigh University has no explicit AI policy for admissions essays. While not explicitly prohibited, the lack of clear guidance means students should be cautious.
Disclosure: Lehigh University does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: Lehigh University 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 admissions website or institutional AI pages”
— Our Application Process, Tips and Deadlines | Lehigh University(Verified: Feb 2026)
“We expect you to use your own authentic voice to share your personal experiences”
— Our Application Process, Tips and Deadlines | Lehigh University(Verified: Feb 2026)
“writing that is not your own work and voice, we would take appropriate steps to clarify”
— Our Application Process, Tips and Deadlines | Lehigh University(Verified: Feb 2026)
Sources Verified
All sources checked (8)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions
- https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements
- https://ai.lehigh.edu/principles-policies-and-expectations
- https://ai.lehigh.edu/principles-policies-and-guidelines
- https://lts.lehigh.edu/citl-guidance-faculty-generative-ai-classroom
- https://blog.lehigh.edu/choosing-college-essay-topics-and-how-to-write-college-essay
- https://provost.lehigh.edu/sites/provost.lehigh.edu/files/Lehigh-Gen%20AI%20Advisory%20Group%20Report%205-9-2025.pdf
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L0 | D0 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
Lehigh University has no explicit AI policy for admissions essays. The admissions Apply page emphasizes authenticity and using 'your own work and voice' but never mentions AI, ChatGPT, or generative AI by name. Lehigh's institutional AI pages (ai.lehigh.edu) and the Generative AI Advisory Group Report (May 2025) focus on faculty, staff, and enrolled students, not applicants. The admissions office uses AI internally for prospect communications but has issued no applicant-facing AI guidance. General honesty language does not meet the threshold for an AI-specific policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lehigh University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to Lehigh University?
How does Lehigh University check for AI?
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