HCDE Master’s Program Guidance on Generative AI Assisted Writing in The Admissions Process
When reviewing application essays, our primary goal is to understand your personal voice and the qualities that make you unique. Beyond objective measures such as transcripts and test scores, your essay allows us to learn about your personal story, motivations, and commitment to human-centered work.
While we value clarity and correctness, perfect grammar and polished academic style are not as important as authenticity, individuality, and originality. Generative AI tools may provide assistance, but their effectiveness depends heavily on the instructions they are given. Because the purpose of the essay is to share your voice, aspirations, and passions, AI is inherently limited in its ability to capture these personal dimensions.
By design, AI-assisted writing tends to predict what is most common, often resulting in essays that feel formulaic, generic, and impersonal. Such essays do not help your application and may, in fact, weaken it. As you prepare your materials for the MS program, please consider the following examples of how AI assistance can either hinder or support your application.
Examples of AI use that are unlikely to strengthen your application:
- Copying and pasting content directly into or from an AI generator, which typically produces formulaic and impersonal responses.
- Depending on AI to draft outlines or full essays, which can reduce originality and limit personal insight.
- Allowing AI-generated text to replace your voice and tone, making your application less meaningful.
- Using AI for translation of essays, which can lead to awkward phrasing and loss of nuance.
Examples of AI use that can be helpful while retaining your unique voice:
- Employing AI-powered tools such as Grammarly or Microsoft Editor to check grammar, spelling, and clarity after you have written your essay.
- Generating questions or prompts with AI to help brainstorm topics or ideas, thereby supporting your creative process.
- Using AI to gather logistical information about the application process, helping you remain organized and informed.
If you are uncertain about whether your use of AI is appropriate, consider whether you would reasonably ask a human to perform the same task. For example, having a teacher review your essay for grammar or brainstorming ideas with a peer are both acceptable and constructive. However, asking someone else to draft the outline or write your essay would undermine its authenticity. The same principle applies to AI.
In short, while AI can serve as a supportive tool for editing and idea generation, relying on it to compose your essay will not produce the distinctive, personal, and authentic application materials that we seek in prospective students.
Acknowledgement: This guidance was informed in part by resources from CalTech and “3 Reasons Why Using AI to Write Your College Essay Is a Bad Idea,” along with similar discussions and recommendations from institutions and educators on the role of generative AI in the admissions process.