University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) AI Policy for College Applications
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L1 → L2 (Line-level editing allowed)
Disclosure: D0 → D3 (Unknown policy)
Enforcement: E1 (unchanged)
This school updated their AI admissions policy between our September 2025 and February 2026 reviews.
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)?
It depends on your program:
- •General/Undergraduate: Line-level editing allowed
- •UCLA School of Law (J.D.): AI use prohibited
Last verified: 2026-02-17 • Confidence: High
What This Means For Your Application
✓Generally Safe
- AI grammar and clarity suggestions
- Rephrasing individual sentences with AI
✗Avoid
- Having AI write entire paragraphs or essays
- Using AI to generate ideas you present as your own
💡Be transparent about any AI tools you used — honesty is always the safest approach
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“including the use of generative artificial intelligence software to assist with readability, but content and final written text must be their own.”
— UC Application Statement of Integrity(Updated: 2025)
“Submitting work that is not your own, including material written by AI, may be considered academic dishonesty.”
— UCLA Graduate Admissions: Application Process, Requirements & Resources(Verified: Feb 2026)
“Essays that rely heavily, or entirely, on AI may be treated as academic dishonesty.”
— UCLA Graduate Admissions: Application Process, Requirements & Resources(Verified: Feb 2026)
“Your story, in your own words, is the most powerful part of your application.”
— UCLA Graduate Admissions: Application Process, Requirements & Resources(Verified: Feb 2026)
Program-Specific Policies
UCLA School of Law (J.D.)
“The use of any artificial intelligence tools to assist in the completion of this application is prohibited.”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: entire application
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •grammar and spell check
- •readability assistance
- •suggesting clearer word choices or translations
- •organizing ideas into an outline
- •advice on content and editing
✗ Not Allowed
- •having AI write all or part of essay
- •submitting generic or fabricated content
- •misrepresenting experiences, goals, or research
- •AI-generated content passed off as own work
Policy Summary by Program
| Program | AI Allowed? | Disclosure | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Undergraduate | Line-level editing allowed | Must attest no AI used | E1 • Manual review possible |
| UCLA School of Law (J.D.) | AI use prohibited | Must attest no AI used | E0 • No enforcement stated |
Sources Verified
All sources checked (10)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://admission.ucla.edu/apply
- https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/personal-insight-questions
- https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/freshman
- https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/
- https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/research-requirements/
- https://law.ucla.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/first-year-jd-applicants
- https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/personal-insight-questions.html
- https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L2 | D3 | E1 | High |
| 2025-09-18 | L1 | D0 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
UCLA's AI admissions policy operates at two levels. For undergraduates, all UC applicants sign a system-wide Statement of Integrity that explicitly permits generative AI for readability assistance but requires content and final text to be the applicant's own. UCLA Graduate Admissions has its own 'Using AI Responsibly in Your Essays' section allowing grammar/spelling checks, word choice suggestions, translations, and outlining, but prohibiting AI-written content. UCLA Law (J.D.) fully prohibits all AI tool use on the entire application. The overall classification is L2 because AI may assist with editing, readability, and paraphrasing, but the applicant must write the substantive content. Disclosure is D3 because the UC Statement of Integrity and graduate admissions policy are explicit attestations referencing AI with consequences (disqualification or removal from consideration). Enforcement is E1 as admissions readers review for voice consistency and authenticity, but no AI detection tools or formal verification processes are publicly described.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)?
How does University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) check for AI?
Which University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) programs have different AI policies?
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