University of California, Merced AI Policy for College Applications
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at University of California, Merced?
University of California, Merced allows limited AI use for editing and improving your own writing. AI can help with grammar, clarity, and sentence-level edits, but you must write the core content yourself.
Disclosure: University of California, Merced does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: University of California, Merced has formal verification processes, which may include proctored writing samples or in-person assessments.
Last verified: 2025-09-19 • 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
💡This school actively checks for AI — make sure your essay sounds like you
💡You may be asked to write on-site or provide writing samples — be prepared
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“The University of California permits students to use generative AI in admissions essays in limited form, such as 'advice on content and editing,' but 'content and final written text must be their own'”
— College application season is here. So is the struggle to find out if AI wrote students' essays(Updated: 2023)
“UC runs plagiarism checks on applications, and if your PIQs are found to have been generated by AI with unattributed sources, you could be disqualified from UC admission entirely”
— College application season is here. So is the struggle to find out if AI wrote students' essays(Updated: 2023)
“UC conducts regular screenings to verify the integrity of the responses, may request authentication of the content or writing as the student's, and will take action when it is determined that the integrity of the response is compromised”
— College application season is here. So is the struggle to find out if AI wrote students' essays(Updated: 2023)
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •advice on content
- •editing
✗ Not Allowed
- •generating complete responses
- •creating final written text
Sources Verified
All sources checked (4)
Additional Context
UC Merced follows UC system-wide AI policy allowing limited AI use for advice and editing but requiring authentic student content and final text. UC system conducts regular screenings and plagiarism checks with potential disqualification for AI-generated content. Part of UC's leadership in ethical AI development with formal recommendations adopted in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California, Merced allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to University of California, Merced?
How does University of California, Merced check for AI?
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