Statement on AI Use in Graduate Program Applications

Guidance and Policies Related to Use of GenAI for Lehigh University Graduate Applicants

Lehigh University is committed to fostering an environment of intellectual honesty and academic integrity. As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to evolve, Lehigh has developed Guiding Principles for the use of AI, which is applicable to prospective graduate students applying to Lehigh University.

Ethical Use of GenAI Guidance for Applicants

In alignment with Lehigh’s Guiding Principles for the use of AI, and our commitment to academic integrity, the following guidance outlines the ethical use of GenAI during your application process. Your application is an opportunity for the admissions committee to understand your unique voice, research interests, academic background, and related life experiences. To maintain the integrity of this process, you are expected to be the primary author of all submitted materials, and the ideas, structure, and substantive content must reflect your own work.

Ethical Uses of GenAI:

  • Process Research: Using GenAI to research general information about graduate school applications, timelines, or Lehigh’s program offerings.
  • Grammar and Mechanics: Utilizing AI tools for basic spelling, punctuation, and grammatical checks.
  • Translation Support: Using AI tools to check the translation of specific words or short phrases.

Unethical Uses of GenAI:

  • Content Generation: Use of GenAI is not permitted when it replaces your own intellectual contribution, including generating substantive content or personal narratives.
  • Voice Replacement: Using AI to generate prose that replaces your unique voice, style, or personal narrative.
  • Substantial Translation: Using GenAI to translate entire essays or large sections of text from another language into English.

These guidelines are analogous to how you might involve other people in your application process. While it is appropriate to ask a mentor to proofread or provide feedback, it is never appropriate to have another person (or an AI) write the essay for you.

Applicants are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any information obtained through AI tools.

  1. Verify Information: Do not assume GenAI guidance on Lehigh’s specific programs or requirements is accurate. Always verify details through the Lehigh University Graduate Admissions website or by contacting the College in which your program of interest is housed.
  2. Verify Translation: Machine translation can miss nuance. We recommend consulting a fluent English speaker to review any translations to ensure your intended meaning is preserved.
  3. Prioritize Your Voice: Admissions committees value authenticity. A generic, AI-generated essay lacks the personal insight and passion that make a candidate stand out.

Attestation of Authorship

The Lehigh University graduate application requires an attestation that you are the sole author of all submitted materials, and that any materials provided by you from your school or a testing organization are not altered in any way.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that all materials (transcripts, test score reports, etc) are not altered in any way.

In addition, by submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have adhered to Lehigh's standards for ethical GenAI use and that your essays represent your own original work.

Consequences for Unethical Use

Failure to adhere to these policies or providing a false attestation regarding the use of GenAI may result in serious consequences, including:

  • Revocation of Admission: Lehigh University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if any part of the application is found to contain falsifications or misrepresentations.
  • Disciplinary Action: If unethical GenAI use is discovered after a student has enrolled, the matter will be handled in accordance with Lehigh's Student Code of Conduct.