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Tufts Admissions strongly discourages using generative AI to write essays and short-answer responses, noting AI tends to produce formulaic, less distinctive writing. Applicants may use AI and other online tools for brainstorming or creative inspiration but are expected not to copy or transcribe generated text directly into an application as their own work.
Allowed
Brainstorming and creative inspiration
Not allowed
Copying or transcribing AI-generated text into the application
Source: Tufts University Admissions, 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 Tufts University application the right way.
Start with AdmissionsOSFrequently asked questions
Does Tufts University allow you to use AI on your application?
Tufts Admissions strongly discourages using generative AI to write essays and short-answer responses, noting AI tends to produce formulaic, less distinctive writing. Applicants may use AI and other online tools for brainstorming or creative inspiration but are expected not to copy or transcribe generated text directly into an application as their own work.
Can Tufts University 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 Tufts University.