How To Cautiously Use AI For Your Business Application

Ever since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene in late 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has been a polarizing topic among pretty much everyone. From tech giants like Microsoft cutting jobs en masse to fake photos of Taylor Swift endorsing Donald Trump, it’s not hard to see why the more flagrant abuses of AI have many skeptical over the supposed benefits.

Uncertainty over AI usage has also entered the b-school arena. According to a recent GMAC survey, an overwhelming 63% of business schools have yet to implement an admissions policy on AI, while only 5% say they embrace it. 

Students, too, are conflicted. According to a survey conducted by two leading GMAT prep organizations, although 56% of b-school students are in favor of using AI in admissions with guidelines in place, 20% argue it gives students an unfair advantage when it comes to essay-writing. 

But is adapting to new technology a bad thing when it comes to enhancing your application? When implemented in a considered way, it is possible that AI can streamline application without sacrificing your personal touch.  

So, here are our top tips on how to cautiously use AI to let your personal story and achievements shine: 

How to cautiously use AI for your business school application 

1. Summarize key points on your resume

If you’re struggling to condense your entire career history into relevant bitesize information, throwing it into ChatGPT can speedrun that process for you.  

Simply ask it to highlight the skills, achievements, and projects that are relevant to the program you are applying for, then organize these points into a resume format. This can save you (and the admissions team) considerable time as it ensures your experiences align with what business schools are looking for.

2. Create a study schedule 

If you’re applying for an MBA, you may well be studying for a standardized test such as the GMAT—which requires on average 120 hours of prep.

Of course, depending on your career and other commitments, how you fit these hours into your schedule will vary. That’s where ChatGPT comes in. You can enter your daily schedule, as well as the number of study hours required, and it will provide you with a personalized week-by-week study schedule for you to (hopefully) stick to. 

3. Plan your essay structure 

There are few things more frustrating than feeling like you have a lot to say but not knowing how to say it.

Fortunately, tools like ChatGPT can give shape to your essay ideas by consolidating your key experiences, motivations, or goals into concise points. Additionally, using an AI chatbot can also help structure essay outlines, ensuring the narrative flows well and addresses the prompt requirements.

4. Proofread your essay 

Not everyone has a friend on hand who has time spare to read over multiple essays. Copying your essay into ChatGPT can highlight any grammatical errors, as well as provide suggestions on tone, structure, and vocabulary.

Plus, if you’re looking for more advanced feedback, AI can simulate peer reviews, helping to refine arguments or ideas in essays. Asking ChatGPT for feedback on specific elements, like "Does this essay clearly show leadership skills?" can provide targeted improvement areas. 

5. Practice interview questions 

Oftentimes, interviews can be the most nerve-wracking part of an application – especially if they’re in person. The best solution? Come prepared.

ChatGPT can help you practice by helping you form interview answers using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. Simply type in some of your relevant work experience, then ask the AI to transform these situations into stories that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

6. Find scholarships 

It can be a chore trawling through each school’s website to discover scholarship opportunities. Using AI-based search engines like Bold.org or Scholly can help applicants find scholarships and grants specific to MBA and Master’s programs.

Equally, scholarship applications often require an additional essay, which means that AI can help brainstorm relevant content to maximize your chances of securing financial aid.

Of course, even following these steps, it’s important to be on the lookout for inaccuracies in AI-produced material as this can potentially do more harm to your application than good. 

So, there you have it. Hopefully you have a better idea of how to cautiously use AI to enhance your business school application—without undermining your authenticity.