GradPilot
Admissions essay grader that scores a draft against application-specific rubrics and adds AI detection.
GradPilot is an online grader for admissions essays, personal statements and similar application writing. A user chooses a rubric that matches the application and pastes in a draft; a Quick Review gives feedback at no charge, while a paid Full Review adds rubric scores, suggestions and an AI detection result supplied by Pangram Labs.
Best for Applicants to undergraduate, graduate and professional programmes who want rubric-based feedback and an AI detection check on an essay before submitting it.
- Platforms
- Web
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- Free plan
- Yes
- Made by
- GradPilot
- Added
Last verified: . Information taken from gradpilot.com.
What is GradPilot?
GradPilot is a web tool that reviews application essays against rubrics written for specific applications. The site lists 230 published rubrics, covering the Common App, University of California, UCAS, transfer and Canadian undergraduate applications, as well as medical, law, MBA, nursing, master's and PhD programmes, scholarships, visas and letters of recommendation. After pasting a draft, the user receives either a Quick Review or a Full Review; the latter scores areas such as structure, clarity and voice, checks fit to the prompt, and shows passages flagged by Pangram's AI detection. A review can be shared with a mentor or counsellor, who comments without an account, or exported as a brief for ChatGPT or Claude. Later drafts are reviewed against the same rubric, and a cutting tool proposes edits to meet a word limit. GradPilot also tracks AI policies at more than 170 universities.
Key Features
Rubric-Based Scoring
Rates an essay on categories such as structure, clarity, voice and fit to the prompt using the rubric for the chosen application.
AI Detection
Includes Pangram Labs detection in a Full Review and shows which passages were flagged.
Rubric Library
Offers 230 rubrics across undergraduate, graduate, professional, scholarship and visa applications, and accepts requests for new ones.
Shared Reviews
Sends a review to a mentor or counsellor, whose comments appear beside the feedback without them signing up.
Draft Comparison
Reviews a revised draft against the same rubric and reports what changed and what still needs work.
Word-Limit Cuts
Suggests cuts at word, sentence and paragraph level, with the reason and the number of words each one saves.
How GradPilot works
Choose a rubric
Pick the rubric that matches the application you are writing for.
Paste the essay
Submit the draft for a free Quick Review or a Full Review.
Read the feedback
See scores, suggestions and, in a Full Review, AI detection results.
Revise and resubmit
Bring back the next draft to be reviewed against the same rubric.
Use Cases
- Common App Essay
- Check a personal essay against the rubric for a specific Common App prompt.
- Statement of Purpose
- Get scored feedback on a master's or PhD statement before applying.
- Medical or Law Application
- Review a personal statement with a rubric built for that profession's application.
- Counsellor Feedback
- Share a review so an adviser can add comments alongside the automated feedback.
- Checking a School's AI Rules
- Look up how a target university treats AI use in admissions essays.
Things to know
- Quick Reviews are limited
- Two free Quick Reviews are available per day; scores and AI detection belong to the paid Full Review.
- Some functions need Pro
- Reviewing successive drafts and seeing all suggested cuts are marked as Pro features, with each draft using a Full Review.
- University AI policies differ
- The site tracks AI rules at more than 170 universities and advises checking a school's position before submitting.
FAQs
What is GradPilot?
GradPilot is an online essay grader for admissions essays and personal statements that gives rubric-based feedback and AI detection.
What is GradPilot used for?
GradPilot is used to review application essays before submission, showing scores, suggestions and flagged passages so the applicant can revise.
Is GradPilot free?
GradPilot offers two free Quick Reviews each day. The Full Review, which adds scores and AI detection, is paid.
Who provides GradPilot's AI detection?
GradPilot names Pangram Labs as its AI detection partner; Pangram's results feed into the Full Review.
Which applications does GradPilot cover?
GradPilot has rubrics for undergraduate applications such as the Common App, UC and UCAS, and for medical, law, MBA, nursing, master's and PhD programmes, scholarships, visas and recommendation letters.
Can someone else comment on my GradPilot review?
Yes. A GradPilot review can be shared with a mentor or counsellor, who can leave comments without creating an account.
Does GradPilot write the essay for me?
No. GradPilot provides feedback and a brief you can take into ChatGPT or Claude to brainstorm, and the site stresses that the applicant writes the words.
Who it's for
- College applicants
- Graduate school applicants
- MBA applicants
- Counselors
- Mentors
Comments
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Alternatives to GradPilot
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