North Carolina State University AI Policy for College Applications
Note: This policy classification has med confidence. We recommend verifying directly with North Carolina State University's admissions office.
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L3 (unchanged)
Disclosure: D3 (unchanged)
Enforcement: E3 → E1 (Unknown policy)
This school updated their AI admissions policy between our September 2025 and February 2026 reviews.
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at North Carolina State University?
It depends on your program:
- •General/Undergraduate: Brainstorming only
- •Master of Science in Analytics (Institute for Advanced Analytics): Line-level editing allowed
- •Graduate School (Theses and Dissertations): AI use permitted
Last verified: 2026-02-17 • Confidence: Med
What This Means For Your Application
✓Generally Safe
- Brainstorming essay topics with AI
- Spell-check and basic grammar tools
✗Avoid
- Any AI rewriting or paraphrasing of your sentences
- Using AI-suggested phrasing in your final draft
💡Be transparent about any AI tools you used — honesty is always the safest approach
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“there is no official university-wide policy regarding AI use”
— AI in the classroom | AI Research and Instruction Guide | NC State University Libraries(Updated: 2025-02)
“GenAI tools can help prevent distracting spelling and grammatical errors”
— Application Pro-Tip: Make a Statement | Master of Science in Analytics(Verified: Feb 2026)
“any attempt to shortcut that training such as using AI to write an essay is fundamentally cheating their future selves”
— ChatGPT (and Other Generative AI Tools) at NC State | Office for Faculty Excellence(Updated: 2023-08-24)
Program-Specific Policies
Master of Science in Analytics (Institute for Advanced Analytics)
“GenAI tools can help prevent distracting spelling and grammatical errors”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: personal statement
Graduate School (Theses and Dissertations)
“A clear and thorough description of whether and how tools from Generative Artificial Intelligence were used”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: thesis, dissertation
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •brainstorming ideas
- •structuring thoughts
- •grammar/spell check
✗ Not Allowed
- •submitting language directly from AI platform
- •AI-generated paragraphs or sentences
- •claiming AI work as original
Policy Summary by Program
| Program | AI Allowed? | Disclosure | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Undergraduate | Brainstorming only | Must attest no AI used | E1 • Manual review possible |
| Master of Science in Analytics (Institute for Advanced Analytics) | Line-level editing allowed | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
| Graduate School (Theses and Dissertations) | AI use permitted | Must disclose AI use | E0 • No enforcement stated |
Sources Verified
All sources checked (16)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/first-year/
- https://admissions.ncsu.edu/connect/frequently-asked-questions/
- https://admissions.ncsu.edu/2025/07/31/admission-updates-for-2026-applicants/
- https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/
- https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/fast-facts/
- https://admissions.ncsu.edu/2023/09/14/admission-updates-for-2024-applicants/
- https://ai.ncsu.edu/
- https://provost.ncsu.edu/ofe/navigating-the-landscape-of-higher-education-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/
- https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/guides/artificial-intelligence/instruction
- https://provost.ncsu.edu/ofe/2023/08/24/chatgpt-and-other-generative-ai-tools-at-nc-state/
- https://analytics.ncsu.edu/?page_id=14457
- https://catalog.ncsu.edu/graduate/graduate-handbook/theses-dissertations/
- https://teaching-resources.delta.ncsu.edu/develop-an-ai-syllabus-statement/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L3 | D3 | E1 | Med |
| 2025-09-19 | L3 | D3 | E3 | High |
Additional Context
NC State previously had explicit AI admissions essay guidance on admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/first-year/ (documented in Sept 2023 by GovTech and ABC11 news), encouraging AI only for brainstorming/structuring thoughts and prohibiting submission of AI-generated language. An attestation ('My application materials were not created by another person or by a generative artificial intelligence system') was reportedly part of the application. As of Feb 2026, this language is no longer visible on the public-facing admissions website. The NC State Libraries page confirms 'there is no official university-wide policy regarding AI use' as of Feb 2025. The attestation may still exist within the Common App or Coalition App application interface but cannot be verified on a public .edu page. Enforcement downgraded from E3 to E1: no evidence of proctored writing samples or AI detection tools for admissions; NC State uses AI to summarize application data but human readers review essays. MSA program explicitly allows GenAI for grammar/spell check on personal statements. Graduate School requires AI Authorship Statement for theses/dissertations. Confidence is Med because the admissions-specific AI language is no longer publicly visible on the admissions website, though the attestation may persist in the application platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does North Carolina State University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to North Carolina State University?
How does North Carolina State University check for AI?
Which North Carolina State University programs have different AI policies?
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