New York University AI Policy for College Applications
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L1 → L0 (No explicit policy)
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 New York University?
It depends on your program:
- •General/Undergraduate: No explicit policy (No explicit policy)
- •NYU Tisch - Spring at Tisch: Brainstorming only
- •NYU Stern MBA Programs: AI use prohibited
- •NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing (Graduate): AI use prohibited
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 NYU central undergraduate admissions website”
— How to Apply - NYU Undergraduate Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“we strongly recommend against using AI tools”
— Spring at Tisch Application Requirements(Verified: Feb 2026)
“Your essays must be written entirely by you”
— NYU Stern MBA Essays(Verified: Feb 2026)
“An offer of admission will be rescinded if you did not write your essays”
— NYU Stern MBA Essays(Verified: Feb 2026)
“altering or forging academic documents, including but not limited to admissions materials”
— Academic Policies - NYU Bulletins(Verified: Feb 2026)
Program-Specific Policies
NYU Tisch - Spring at Tisch
“we strongly recommend against using AI tools”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: application materials, personal statement
NYU Stern MBA Programs
“Your essays must be written entirely by you”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: application essays
NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing (Graduate)
“All submitted work must be original and written solely by the applicant”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: application materials, writing portfolio
Policy Summary by Program
| Program | AI Allowed? | Disclosure | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Undergraduate | No explicit policy | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
| NYU Tisch - Spring at Tisch | Brainstorming only | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
| NYU Stern MBA Programs | AI use prohibited | No disclosure required | E1 • Manual review possible |
| NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing (Graduate) | AI use prohibited | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
Sources Verified
All sources checked (15)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions.html
- https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply.html
- https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/application-authenticity.html
- https://meet.nyu.edu/advice/application-tips/inside-the-2025-2026-common-application-for-nyu/
- https://meet.nyu.edu/advice/application-tips/your-guide-to-the-nyu-supplemental-essay/
- https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/application-requirements.html
- https://gsas.nyu.edu/admissions/arc.html
- https://www.law.nyu.edu/jdadmissions/applicants
- https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/apply/undergraduate/apply.html
- https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/academic-integrity-for-students-at-nyu.html
- https://www.nyu.edu/faculty/teaching-and-learning-resources/teaching-with-generative-tools/frequently-asked-questions.html
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
| 2025-09-18 | L1 | D0 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
NYU's central undergraduate admissions office has no explicit AI-specific essay policy (L0). The Application Authenticity page emphasizes truthful, original applications and warns against third-party agents, but does not mention AI by name. However, several individual programs have their own policies: Tisch Spring at Tisch 'strongly recommends against' AI tools; Stern MBA requires essays be 'written entirely by you' with rescission consequences; Tisch Dramatic Writing requires work be 'original and written solely by the applicant.' NYU's university-wide Academic Integrity Policy covers admissions materials and explicitly names AI/ChatGPT as integrity concerns, but this is a general policy not admissions-authored. Previously classified as L1 but reclassified to L0 because no central admissions-authored AI-specific guidance exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to New York University?
How does New York University check for AI?
Which New York University programs have different AI policies?
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