Northeastern University AI Policy for College Applications
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at Northeastern University?
It depends on your program:
- •General/Undergraduate: No explicit policy (No explicit policy)
- •School of Law (JD): No explicit policy
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 Information | Undergraduate Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“application...that is in its entirety completed by the applicant...including paid agents, admissions support agencies, or personnel”
— International Applicants | Undergraduate Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“This policy applies to faculty and staff as follows”
— Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems | Policies(Updated: 2024)
Program-Specific Policies
School of Law (JD)
“Your response must be in your own words”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Policy Summary by Program
| Program | AI Allowed? | Disclosure | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Undergraduate | No explicit policy | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
| School of Law (JD) | No explicit policy | No disclosure required | E0 • No enforcement stated |
Sources Verified
All sources checked (12)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/first-year-applicants/
- https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/how-to-apply/
- https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/required-materials/
- https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/international-applicants-2/
- https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/prospective-student-guide/
- https://catalog.northeastern.edu/undergraduate/admission/admission-policy-entrance-requirements/
- https://policies.northeastern.edu/policy125/
- https://graduate.northeastern.edu/knowledge-hub/applying-to-graduate-school/
- https://law.northeastern.edu/admissions/jd/faqs/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L0 | D0 | E0 | High |
Additional Context
Northeastern has no AI-specific policy for admissions essays. The international applicants page requires applications be 'completed by the applicant' and prohibits use of paid agents or admissions support agencies, but this language targets human third-party services and does not mention AI tools. The university's general AI policy (Policy 125) applies only to faculty and staff, not applicants. Northeastern only requires the Common App/Coalition App personal statement with no supplemental essays. The Law School requires optional essays 'in your own words' but does not mention AI. Despite being an AI leadership institution and partner of Anthropic, Northeastern has not published admissions-specific AI guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Northeastern University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to Northeastern University?
How does Northeastern University check for AI?
Which Northeastern University programs have different AI policies?
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