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Does The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art allow AI in college essays?

AI as a brainstorming tool only, not for generating submitted work.

Allowed with limits AI as a brainstorming tool only, not for generating submitted work.

Cooper Union states AI should strictly serve as a tool for creative brainstorming, idea refinement, or resume building, not as a direct representation of the applicant's work. Using AI-generated content without modification is considered plagiarism, including AI-generated drawings, statements, essays, or responses to prompts.

Allowed

Creative brainstorming, idea refinement, resume building

Not allowed

Submitting unmodified AI-generated content (drawings, statements, essays, prompt responses)

Source: The Cooper Union, Applying, official AI policy. Last checked August 2026. Policies change, so confirm on the school's site before you rely on it.

The rule underneath every school

Whatever a specific school says, one standard applies almost everywhere: the Common App counts submitting the substantive content or output of an AI platform as your own work as fraud, added to its policy in 2023, while still permitting grammar checks and early topic brainstorming. So the safe line is always the same, use AI to think, never to write the words you submit. (More in Is It OK to Use AI? and How to Use AI the Right Way.)

Use AI on your The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art application the right way.

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Frequently asked questions

Does The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art allow you to use AI on your application?

Cooper Union states AI should strictly serve as a tool for creative brainstorming, idea refinement, or resume building, not as a direct representation of the applicant's work. Using AI-generated content without modification is considered plagiarism, including AI-generated drawings, statements, essays, or responses to prompts.

Can The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art detect AI in essays?

AI detectors are unreliable and no school treats a flag as proof, so detection is not the real risk. The real risk is that AI-written essays read generic to admissions officers. Write the essay yourself and use AI only to brainstorm and get feedback.

See AI policies for other schools or check your chances at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.