We understand that there’s a lot to navigate within the college application process, and there are many resources available to potentially help you complete your application. Help that is ethical and acceptable to utilize in your application process includes: 

• Using AI tools to research specific colleges or help you build your college list. 
• Working with your college counselor or a community-based organization staff member to brainstorm essay topics. 
• Asking a friend or family member to read your essays and give feedback or check for grammatical errors. 

However, there are unethical – and therefore unacceptable – forms of application assistance as well. These include: 

• Having AI tools outline, draft, or write your application responses, translate your responses from another language, or create works for a required portfolio. 
• Having any person write or rewrite your essays/responses. 
• Having someone else choose your essay topics. 
• Using a template you found online to write your essay. 

Why are these forms of application assistance unacceptable?  

First, we take academic integrity very seriously here at Cornell University; all students are expected to submit work that's their own. We expect the same from our applicants. 

Second, we want to get to know YOU. We want to better understand your experiences, interests, opinions, and future aspirations. If another person or an AI tool writes or rewrites your responses, those responses won't truly represent you. In particular, using AI to draft your essay risks diluting the quality and authenticity of your writing.

The bottom line: It’s okay to get help with your application, as long as you do so ethically. When you hit “submit” on your Common Application, you’re agreeing that you have not used unacceptable, unethical support resources to complete your application.