University of Washington AI Policy for College Applications
Policy Changed Since September 2025
Permission: L2 (unchanged)
Disclosure: D1 → D0 (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 Washington?
It depends on your program:
- •General/Undergraduate: Line-level editing allowed
- •Informatics Program (iSchool): Line-level editing allowed
- •Graduate Medical Education: Line-level editing allowed
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
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“All writing in the application, including your essay/personal statement, must be your own original work.”
— Writing section - Office of Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
“If you choose to have a parent, counselor, tutor, friend or AI tool review your writing, it must be done responsibly and ethically”
— Writing section - Office of Admissions(Verified: Feb 2026)
Program-Specific Policies
Informatics Program (iSchool)
“Did you use ChatGPT and/or similar tools in writing this essay? If so, please indicate how you used the tool(s).”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: application essays
Graduate Medical Education
“Use AI to enhance your application, not replace your own work”
— View source(Verified: Feb 2026)
Applies to: residency/fellowship applications
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •reviewing/proofreading writing
- •grammar and spell check
- •line-level editing done responsibly and ethically
✗ Not Allowed
- •submitting AI-generated content as original work
- •having AI write essays or substantial portions of essays
Policy Summary by Program
| Program | AI Allowed? | Disclosure | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Undergraduate | Line-level editing allowed | No disclosure required | E1 • Manual review possible |
| Informatics Program (iSchool) | Line-level editing allowed | Must disclose AI use | E1 • Manual review possible |
| Graduate Medical Education | Line-level editing allowed | Optional disclosure | E1 • Manual review possible |
Sources Verified
All sources checked (8)
Additional Sources Checked:
- https://admit.washington.edu/apply/first-year/how-to-apply/
- https://admit.washington.edu/apply/transfer/how-to-apply/personal-statement/
- https://grad.uw.edu/
- https://www.law.uw.edu/admissions/
- https://www.washington.edu/datasciencemasters/admission-requirements/
- https://it.uw.edu/guides/security-authentication/artificial-intelligence-guidelines/
- https://www.washington.edu/datasciencemasters/essay-questions/
Policy History
| Date | Permission | Disclosure | Enforcement | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 (current) | L2 | D0 | E1 | High |
| 2025-09-19 | L2 | D1 | E1 | High |
Additional Context
UW undergraduate admissions explicitly permits AI tools to 'review' writing but requires all work be the applicant's 'own original work,' placing it at L2 (substantive assistance allowed but no wholesale drafting). The same language appears on the transfer personal statement page. No formal AI disclosure is required at the university level (D0), though the Informatics program requires disclosure (D2) and the GME program encourages it (D1). The Informatics program explicitly allows AI for word choice, grammar, and rephrasing a sentence or two, but considers submitting AI-generated output as plagiarism. The MSDS program notes faculty reviewers find AI-generated essays 'vague and less persuasive.' UW Graduate School has no AI-specific admissions policy. UW has no overarching university-wide AI policy per the College of Engineering guidance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Washington allow ChatGPT for essays?
Do I need to disclose AI use to University of Washington?
How does University of Washington check for AI?
Which University of Washington programs have different AI policies?
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