Reference · Updated August 2026 · 56 schools included
MBA AI Essay Policies: What Each Top School Actually Allows
Policies change — verify against the live application before you submit.
No published policy is not the same as no risk. Every school below — policy or no policy —
has standing honesty and misrepresentation language in its application terms, and readers cross-check
essay voice against your recommendations, video, and interview regardless of what the form says.
Read the full experiment — self-written vs. consultant-written vs. AI-written essays →
| School | AI Use | Disclosure Required? | What They Actually Say |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford GSB | Not permitted | — | Having another person or tool write your essays is a violation of the application terms. Consequences range from denial to revoked admission, even after enrollment. |
| NYU Stern | Not permitted | — | Essays must be written entirely by the applicant. An admitted offer will be revoked if this isn't the case. |
| Harvard Business School | Permitted, with limits | Yes — checkbox + 75-word statement | Direct yes/no question on the application. If yes, a 75-word statement per section explaining how and where you used it, consistent with HBS's Honor Code citation standards. |
| Northwestern Kellogg | Permitted, with limits | Yes — cite tool name + URL | Acceptable as a supplementary tool, not a replacement for your own thinking. Cite the tool name and URL at the end of the essay. |
| Michigan Ross | Permitted, with limits | Yes — APA in-text citation | Legitimate aid for guidance and suggestions. Cite it with an APA in-text "personal communication" format, e.g. (OpenAI, personal communication, September 1, 2024). |
| London Business School | Permitted, with limits | Yes — footnote (not counted in word limit) | Reference AI assistance in a footnote to the essay. Footnotes don't count against your word limit. |
| Wharton | Brainstorming/editing only | No formal disclosure — may be screened | Open to generative AI as a tool, but the work must be entirely your own. States it may use its own AI-detection tools to flag content, triggering deeper file review. |
| Columbia Business School | Brainstorming/editing only | No formal disclosure | Idea generation and editing are allowed. Using AI to generate complete essay responses is an Honor Code violation. |
| Yale SOM | Brainstorming/editing only | No formal disclosure | Treat AI like a friend's help: brainstorming, organizing thoughts, grammar and style edits. AI-generated content should not be the primary source of your essay content. Also warns against scripting video essay or interview answers with AI. |
| Duke Fuqua | Permitted, with expectations | No formal disclosure — plagiarism-screened | All essays run through plagiarism detection software. Working with AI (or a consultant) is acknowledged as common; the expectation is that submitted work authentically and factually reflects who you are. |
| Oxford Saïd | Not addressed specifically | No formal disclosure — plagiarism-screened | No AI-specific statement, but essays may be checked with plagiarism detection software, and non-original content requires citation. |
| Berkeley Haas | Editing only (UC-wide) | No formal disclosure — attestation required | Governed by the UC system's general "Statement of Integrity." AI allowed for readability and editing help; content and final written text must be the applicant's own. A false attestation can mean disqualification. |
| INSEAD | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| MIT Sloan | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| Chicago Booth | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Recently shortened its essays significantly — a change reportedly linked in part to the same concern driving other schools' disclosure rules. |
| UCLA Anderson | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| Cornell Johnson | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| UVA Darden | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Publicly and proactively embracing generative AI in its actual MBA curriculum, which suggests an admissions-specific policy may follow. |
| CMU Tepper | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| Texas McCombs | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| Dartmouth Tuck | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| HEC Paris | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| IESE | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| IE Business School | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| ESADE | No published policy | — | No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies. |
| Georgetown McDonough | Permitted, with limits | No formal disclosure specified | AI can be a valuable collaborator for brainstorming, editing, and refining ideas — but application materials must ultimately reflect your own voice and experience. Explicitly prohibits copy-pasting AI output, fabricating experience, or having AI write your essays. |
| UW Foster | Permitted, with limits | Yes — disclose in the Foster Integrity Statement | AI tools are not prohibited for essays, but may only refine content, not create it. Any AI use must be disclosed in the Foster Integrity Statement. Applicants are expected to generate their own ideas for authenticity and originality. |
| Indiana Kelley | Permitted, with limits | Yes — cite AI use and formally attest to it | Generative AI is permitted for the scholarship essay and personal statement, but must always be acknowledged and cited, never submitted as a fully AI-generated document, and its use must be formally attested to. |
| Emory Goizueta | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Vanderbilt Owen | No published policy found | — | No admissions-specific AI policy found. General clause reserves right to rescind for misrepresentation. |
| USC Marshall | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Rice Jones | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found for the MBA. University-level AI guidance applies to coursework, not admissions. |
| Cambridge Judge | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy on the official application page, though admissions leadership has noted AI platforms "need to be monitored" in press comments. |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Georgia Tech Scheller | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Minnesota Carlson | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Ohio State Fisher | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Rochester Simon | No published policy found | — | No admissions-specific AI policy. A detailed GenAI disclosure framework exists but governs enrolled-student coursework, not essays. |
| Notre Dame Mendoza | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| ISB | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| National University of Singapore | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Nanyang Business School | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| HKUST Business School | No published policy found | — | No admissions-specific AI policy. University-wide GenAI guidance governs coursework, not application essays. |
| CEIBS | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Melbourne Business School | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| AGSM at UNSW | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| Arizona State W.P. Carey | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| SMU Cox | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. |
| IIM Ahmedabad | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked (non-participant), included here on request. |
| IIM Bangalore | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
| IIM Calcutta | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
| IIM Lucknow | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
| IIM Kozhikode | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
| IIM Indore | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
| SP Jain School of Global Management | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | No published policy found | — | No AI-specific essay policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026. Not FT-ranked, included here on request. |
Stanford GSBNot permitted▸
Having another person or tool write your essays is a violation of the application terms. Consequences range from denial to revoked admission, even after enrollment.
NYU SternNot permitted▸
Essays must be written entirely by the applicant. An admitted offer will be revoked if this isn't the case.
Harvard Business SchoolPermitted, limits▸
Disclosure: checkbox + 75-word statement
Direct yes/no question on the application. If yes, a 75-word statement per section explaining how and where you used it, consistent with HBS's Honor Code citation standards.Northwestern KelloggPermitted, limits▸
Disclosure: cite tool name + URL
Acceptable as a supplementary tool, not a replacement for your own thinking. Cite the tool name and URL at the end of the essay.Michigan RossPermitted, limits▸
Disclosure: APA in-text citation
Legitimate aid for guidance and suggestions. Cite it with an APA in-text "personal communication" format, e.g. (OpenAI, personal communication, September 1, 2024).London Business SchoolPermitted, limits▸
Disclosure: footnote, not counted in word limit
Reference AI assistance in a footnote to the essay.WhartonBrainstorming/editing only▸
No formal disclosure — may be screened
Open to generative AI as a tool, but the work must be entirely your own. May use its own AI-detection tools to flag content, triggering deeper file review.Columbia Business SchoolBrainstorming/editing only▸
No formal disclosure
Idea generation and editing are allowed. Using AI to generate complete essay responses is an Honor Code violation.Yale SOMBrainstorming/editing only▸
No formal disclosure
Treat AI like a friend's help: brainstorming, organizing thoughts, grammar/style edits. Also warns against scripting video essay or interview answers with AI.Duke FuquaPermitted, with expectations▸
No formal disclosure — plagiarism-screened
All essays run through plagiarism detection software. Expectation is that submitted work authentically and factually reflects who you are.Oxford SaïdNot addressed▸
No formal disclosure — plagiarism-screened
No AI-specific statement, but essays may be checked, and non-original content requires citation.Berkeley HaasEditing only (UC-wide)▸
No formal disclosure — attestation required
Governed by the UC system's "Statement of Integrity." A false attestation can mean disqualification.INSEADNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
MIT SloanNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
Chicago BoothNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Recently shortened its essays significantly — reportedly linked in part to the same concern driving other schools' disclosure rules.
UCLA AndersonNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
Cornell JohnsonNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
UVA DardenNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Publicly and proactively embracing generative AI in its actual MBA curriculum — an admissions policy may follow.
CMU TepperNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
Texas McCombsNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
Dartmouth TuckNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
HEC ParisNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
IESENo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
IE Business SchoolNo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
ESADENo published policy▸
No AI-specific rule as of mid-2026. Standard application-integrity language still applies.
Georgetown McDonoughPermitted, limits▸
No formal disclosure specified
AI can be a collaborator for brainstorming/editing/refining — but materials must reflect your own voice. Prohibits copy-pasting AI output, fabricating experience, or having AI write your essays.UW FosterPermitted, limits▸
Disclosure required — Foster Integrity Statement
AI may only refine content, not create it. Any AI use must be disclosed. Applicants are expected to generate their own ideas.Indiana KelleyPermitted, limits▸
Cite AI use + formal attestation required
GenAI permitted for scholarship essay/personal statement, but must be acknowledged, cited, and never submitted as a fully AI-generated document.Emory GoizuetaNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Vanderbilt OwenNo published policy found▸
No admissions-specific AI policy found. General clause reserves right to rescind for misrepresentation.
USC MarshallNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Rice JonesNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy for the MBA. University-level AI guidance applies to coursework, not admissions.
Cambridge JudgeNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy on the official application page, though admissions leadership has noted AI platforms "need to be monitored" in press comments.
UNC Kenan-FlaglerNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Georgia Tech SchellerNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Minnesota CarlsonNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Ohio State FisherNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Rochester SimonNo published policy found▸
No admissions-specific AI policy. A detailed GenAI disclosure framework exists but governs enrolled-student coursework, not essays.
Notre Dame MendozaNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
ISBNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
National University of SingaporeNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Nanyang Business SchoolNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
HKUST Business SchoolNo published policy found▸
No admissions-specific AI policy. University-wide GenAI guidance governs coursework, not application essays.
CEIBSNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Melbourne Business SchoolNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
AGSM at UNSWNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
Arizona State W.P. CareyNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
SMU CoxNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific policy found on official admissions pages as of Aug 2026.
IIM AhmedabadNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
IIM BangaloreNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
IIM CalcuttaNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
IIM LucknowNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
IIM KozhikodeNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
IIM IndoreNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
SP Jain School of Global ManagementNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
XLRI JamshedpurNo published policy found▸
No AI-specific essay policy found. Not FT-ranked, included on request.
Every school converges on the same real test: does this sound like a specific person who could also
survive an unscripted follow-up conversation about it? Programs with a live or video interview
component check this by design — you can polish a paragraph with AI, but it's much harder to fake
being spontaneously, consistently you on camera.
Read the full experiment — self-written vs. consultant-written vs. AI-written essays →
Read the full experiment — self-written vs. consultant-written vs. AI-written essays →