University of California, Santa Cruz AI Policy for College Applications
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L2 (unchanged)
Disclosure: D0 → D3 (Unknown policy)
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, Santa Cruz?
University of California, Santa Cruz 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, Santa Cruz requires an attestation that you did not use AI or used it only within specified limits. False attestation may result in application rejection.
Enforcement: University of California, Santa Cruz 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
💡Be transparent about any AI tools you used — honesty is always the safest approach
💡This school actively checks for AI — make sure your essay sounds like you
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“Students may receive advice on content and editing, including the use of generative artificial intelligence software to assist with readability”
— UC Statement of Application Integrity(Updated: 2023-08)
“content and final written text must be their own”
— UC Statement of Application Integrity(Updated: 2023-08)
“UC conducts regular screenings to verify the integrity of the responses, may request authentication of the content or writing”
— UC Statement of Application Integrity(Updated: 2023-08)
“An AI tool can help you with structure and readability, but use it with caution”
— Let your story shine: Get the scoop on how to maximize the UC application from our admissions experts(Updated: 2025-10-23)
“We do run the PIQ responses through plagiarism detection software”
— Let your story shine: Get the scoop on how to maximize the UC application from our admissions experts(Updated: 2025-10-23)
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •advice on content and editing
- •generative AI to assist with readability
- •grammar and spell check
- •structure and readability assistance
✗ Not Allowed
- •generating content or final written text
- •submitting AI-generated answers as own work
- •plagiarizing or copying from sources in print or online
- •using any other person's words or published works
Sources Verified
All sources checked (10)
Policy Sources:
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://admissions.ucsc.edu/
- https://admissions.ucsc.edu/resources-support/frequently-asked-questions-faqs
- https://admissions.ucsc.edu/programs/artificial-intelligence
- https://graduateadmissions.ucsc.edu/how-to-apply/
- https://campusai.ucsc.edu/faq/
- https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html
- https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-the-university-of-california-evaluates-student-applications
- https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/shaping-your-personal-narrative-piq-tips-and-more-uc-admissions-experts
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L2 | D3 | E2 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L2 | D0 | E3 | High |
Additional Context
UC Santa Cruz follows the UC system-wide admissions policy. The UC Statement of Application Integrity (signed by all applicants in the UC Application) explicitly permits generative AI for readability and editing assistance but requires content and final written text to be the applicant's own. UC admissions experts have stated that completely AI-generated answers are equivalent to academic dishonesty and can result in disqualification from all UC campuses. UC runs PIQ responses through plagiarism detection software and may request authentication of content. UCSC's own admissions website (admissions.ucsc.edu) has no campus-specific AI policy for application essays; the policy comes entirely from the UC system application. UCSC graduate admissions (graduateadmissions.ucsc.edu) also has no AI-specific policy for statements of purpose. Disclosure upgraded from D0 to D3 because the Statement of Application Integrity is a signed attestation explicitly referencing AI with consequences. Enforcement adjusted from E3 to E2 because while UC conducts plagiarism screenings and may request authentication, there is no proctored or on-site writing requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California, Santa Cruz allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to University of California, Santa Cruz?
How does University of California, Santa Cruz check for AI?
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