UNC Drops AI Essay Scoring for Admissions

The university is moving away from AI-generated ratings for student application essays this cycle.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in College Applications

Gouache-painted illustration of a fountain pen resting on a textured wooden surface, symbolizing a return to human-led essay review. — The University of North Carolina has ended its use of AI-based tools for scoring undergraduate applicant essays during the current cycle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of North Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions has officially stopped using AI tools to evaluate first-year applicant essays. This change comes as the university simplifies its process for the current application cycle.

Why it matters

The widespread adoption of AI writing tools by students has caused essay scores to become skewed, rendering automated grading less effective for admissions officers. UNC determined that AI-generated scores no longer provide a meaningful way to distinguish between candidates.

The admissions office previously used the Reader AI tool within the Slate for Admissions & Enrollment platform to score essays based on grammar, structure, and word choice. The university is now requiring only a single essay for the 2026-27 cycle.

The players

University of North Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions

This is the department responsible for managing the entry process for first-year students at the university.

The details

Previously, the university utilized Reader AI to generate scores that supposedly reflected the quality of student writing. The school removed the process after the high volume of AI-assisted student submissions made the resulting scores redundant and imprecise.

2022-23: The University began utilizing the Slate for Admissions & Enrollment tool.
2026-27: The current undergraduate application cycle where the AI tool is no longer in use.

Culture Shift

This decision mirrors a broader societal shift as institutions confront the ubiquity of generative AI in academic writing. UNC’s move underscores how universities are adapting to the rise of generative AI in college application essays by questioning the utility of automated tools.

Applicants to the University of North Carolina no longer need to worry about their essays receiving an automated score during the review process. Students should focus on submitting their single required essay with the understanding that human admissions staff will provide the final evaluation.

The takeaway

Prospective students should prioritize authenticity in their personal statements, as the reliance on AI tools can obscure individual voice and intent. Admissions offices are increasingly shifting focus back to human review to ensure that candidates are evaluated on their own unique merits.