University of California, Riverside AI Policy for College Applications
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L2 (unchanged)
Disclosure: D0 (unchanged)
Enforcement: E3 → E2 (Unknown policy)
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, Riverside?
University of California, Riverside 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, Riverside does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: University of California, Riverside uses AI detection tools and screening software to identify potential AI-generated content in applications.
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
💡This school actively checks for AI — make sure your essay sounds like you
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“an AI tool can help you with structure and readability, but use it with caution”
— Shaping your personal narrative: PIQ tips and more from UC admissions experts(Updated: 2025-10-23)
“whatever you ultimately submit better be your own creation”
— Shaping your personal narrative: PIQ tips and more from UC admissions experts(Updated: 2025-10-23)
“We do run the PIQ responses through plagiarism detection software”
— Shaping your personal narrative: PIQ tips and more from UC admissions experts(Updated: 2025-10-23)
“The value of a 350-word response on topics like leadership, resiliency, or creativity may be diminished if it doesn't directly reflect a student's own experiences”
— College application season is here. So is the struggle to find out if AI wrote students' essays(Updated: 2023-10-13)
“UC conducts regular screenings to verify the integrity of the responses, may request authentication of the content or writing”
— College application season is here. So is the struggle to find out if AI wrote students' essays(Updated: 2023-10-13)
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •advice on content and editing
- •structure and readability assistance
- •brainstorming
- •grammar and spell check
✗ Not Allowed
- •generating complete responses
- •creating final written text
- •submitting AI-generated content as own work
Sources Verified
All sources checked (11)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://admissions.ucr.edu/
- https://admissions.ucr.edu/faqs
- https://admissions.ucr.edu/firstyear
- https://graduate.ucr.edu/admissions
- https://graduate.ucr.edu/admission-requirements
- https://its.ucr.edu/ai
- https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2023/11/03/update-artificial-intelligence-use-students
- https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html
- https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-the-university-of-california-evaluates-student-applications
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L2 | D0 | E2 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L2 | D0 | E3 | High |
Additional Context
UC Riverside follows the UC system-wide AI policy for undergraduate admissions. The UC system permits limited AI use such as advice on content, editing, structure, and readability, but requires that content and final written text be the student's own. UC runs PIQs through plagiarism detection software and conducts regular integrity screenings. UCR Director of Undergraduate Admissions Veronica Zendejas emphasized that responses should directly reflect student experiences. Enforcement downgraded from E3 to E2: UC uses plagiarism detection software and screening processes, but there is no evidence of proctored on-site writing or offers contingent on in-person writing samples. No UCR-specific admissions AI policy page exists; policy derives from UC system-wide guidance. Graduate admissions at UCR have no explicit AI policy for application materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California, Riverside allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to University of California, Riverside?
How does University of California, Riverside check for AI?
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