Inside Higher Ed, Michigan Law Adds AI Essay Prompt:
In 2023, the University of Michigan Law School made headlines for its policy banning applicants from using generative AI to write their admissions essays.
Now, two admissions cycles later, the law school is not only allowing AI responses but actually mandating the use of AI—at least for one optional essay.
For those applying this fall, the law school added a supplemental essay prompt that asks students about their AI usage and how they see that changing in law school—and requires them to use AI to develop their response. (Applicants may write up to two supplemental essays, selected from 10 prompt options in total.)
“TO BE ANSWERED USING GENERATIVE AI: How much do you use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT right now? What’s your prediction for how much you will use them by the time you graduate from law school? Why?” the prompt asks.
Sarah Zearfoss, senior assistant dean at the University of Michigan Law School, said she was inspired to include such a question after hearing frequent anecdotes over the past year about law firms using AI to craft emails or short motions. …
Michigan Law still disallows applicants from using AI writing tools when they compose their personal statements and for all other supplemental essay questions, which Zearfoss hopes will allow her to compare applicants’ writing with AI’s assistance to their writing without it.
ABA Journal, Writing University of Michigan Law School Optional Application Essay? Use Artificial Intelligence, Please
Prior TaxProf Blog coverage:
- Michigan Bans Use Of ChatGPT On Law School Applications (July 22, 2023)
- Unlike Michigan, Arizona State Allows Use Of ChatGPT On Law School Applications (Aug. 1, 2023)
- Arizona State Is Among The 1% Of Law Schools That Allow Use Of AI In Writing Admissions Essays (Oct. 15, 2024)
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