91´«Ã½

A Statement on Artificial Intelligence

At Washington and Lee, trust isn’t just a value; it’s a way of life. Our student-run Honor System emphasizes integrity and personal responsibility, and it forms the bedrock of our academic community. While the Honor System itself doesn’t apply to prospective 91´«Ã½, choosing to act in its spirit shows you’re ready for W&L—and that starts with how you build your application. 
 
AI tools like ChatGPT are changing how 91´«Ã½ think and write. Used responsibly, they can help you brainstorm, organize your thoughts, or explore different ways to say something. For your personal essay and the other parts of your W&L application, you’re welcome to use AI the way you might work with a friend or teacher: for ideas and feedback, but not for writing the essay itself. 
 
It’s okay to get help refining your work. But if you let AI choose your words, build your argument, or change your message, it stops being a tool and starts becoming a substitute. 
As a general rule: if the work doesn’t sound like you or feel like something you could explain in conversation, it isn’t yours—and shouldn’t be submitted. 
 
This policy was developed with help from ChatGPT to test phrasing and clarify ideas. The underlying ideas, structure, and standards were created by a human author, and every sentence was reviewed and revised with intention. That’s the kind of thoughtful, responsible use we expect from you, too.