TLDR: A recent Kaplan survey indicates that while more colleges are establishing official guidelines for generative AI use in admissions essays, a significant majority still lack clear policies, leaving applicants uncertain about acceptable usage. The survey highlights a prevailing unfavorable view among admissions officers regarding GenAI’s role in essays.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A new survey conducted by Kaplan, a global education company, reveals an evolving but still largely ambiguous landscape regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, in college admissions essays. Published on November 3, 2025, the survey indicates that while a growing number of higher education institutions are developing official policies, most continue to operate without clear guidelines, forcing prospective students to navigate this gray area independently.
The findings, based on responses from over 200 college admissions officers, offer a year-over-year comparison with Kaplan’s 2024 survey, illustrating a gradual shift in institutional approaches:
Essay Writing: Only 2 percent of colleges reported having an official policy that permits applicants to use GenAI for writing their admissions essays, a figure unchanged from 2024. Conversely, 30 percent now explicitly ban its use, an increase from 25 percent in the previous year. The majority, 68 percent, still have no policy in place, down from 72 percent.
Brainstorming Ideas: For using GenAI to brainstorm essay ideas, 27 percent of admissions officers stated their college has an official policy allowing it, up from 18 percent. Only 4 percent have a policy banning it (unchanged), while 69 percent have no official policy, a decrease from 78 percent.
Receiving Feedback: Regarding the use of GenAI for providing feedback on independently drafted essays, 21 percent of institutions now have an official policy allowing it, an increase from 15 percent. Five percent maintain a ban (unchanged), and 73 percent lack an official policy, down from 80 percent.
Admissions officers expressed concerns that GenAI can strip essays of their ‘personal touch,’ leading to ‘generic content that doesn’t reflect a student’s authentic voice or unique experiences.’ One officer noted, ‘The writing oftentimes also doesn’t match the writing of other sections which then prompts me to ask ‘How strong of a writer is this student?”
The survey also delved into the general sentiment towards GenAI in admissions. A notable 50 percent of admissions officers hold an ‘unfavorable attitude’ towards the advent of GenAI use in college admissions essays. Twenty-six percent maintain a ‘neutral attitude,’ and only 14 percent view it ‘favorably.’ This sentiment suggests that as more colleges adopt formal policies, they are likely to lean towards more restrictive usage.
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Jason Bedford, senior vice president at Kaplan, commented on the implications of these findings: ‘While this gives college applicants a fair amount of discretion, it also creates uncertainty. Some students may overuse AI, while others may avoid it entirely for fear of crossing an unseen line. We expect to see more schools implement clear policies or guidance in the near future. Applicants deserve to understand expectations with GenAI and want to use these tools ethically and effectively while delivering a clear representation of their strengths and accomplishments to colleges and universities.’
