Vanderbilt University AI Policy for College Applications
Quick Answer: Can you use AI at Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University 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: Vanderbilt University does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
Enforcement: Vanderbilt University has not indicated how they check for AI use in admissions essays.
Last verified: 2025-09-18 • Confidence: High
Policy Evidence
University General Policy
“AI should never be used to replace independent thinking on the part of the applicant”
— Frequently Asked Questions - Vanderbilt Admissions(Updated: 2024)
“ChatGPT and other forms of AI may be viewed as one of these sources of assistance”
— Frequently Asked Questions - Vanderbilt Admissions(Updated: 2024)
Specific Guidelines
✓ Allowed Uses
- •brainstorming topic ideas
- •grammar checking and proofreading
- •feedback on clarity and structure
✗ Not Allowed
- •having AI generate essay topics
- •having AI rewrite essays
- •using AI to replace independent thinking
- •replacing student's authentic voice and experiences
Sources Verified
All sources checked (4)
Additional Context
Vanderbilt treats AI assistance similarly to human assistance (parents, tutors, grammar tools), establishing boundaries based on preserving authenticity. No disclosure requirements despite comprehensive academic AI policies requiring citation in coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vanderbilt University allow ChatGPT for essays?
Vanderbilt University 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.
Do I need to disclose AI use to Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University does not require disclosure of AI use in admissions materials.
How does Vanderbilt University check for AI?
Vanderbilt University has not indicated how they check for AI use in admissions essays.
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