Writing Application Essays in the Age of AI

In business school admissions, the essay has long been a cornerstone of the application process, offering Master in Management (MiM) candidates a platform to showcase their unique experiences, aspirations, and personality beyond their academic transcripts and test scores. 

However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the expectations surrounding these essays, with a growing emphasis on authenticity over perfection, driven by AI tools like ChatGPT.

Traditionally, applicants often felt pressured to craft essays that adhered to a rigid formula of professionalism, striving for flawless grammar, impressive achievements, and carefully curated narratives. Yet, as admissions committees seek to assemble diverse cohorts composed of individuals with genuine passions and perspectives, there has been a recognition that overly polished essays may not always reflect the true essence of an applicant.

AI and the quest for authenticity 

In this age of technological advancement, applicants are presented with new tools and resources that can both aid and hinder their quest for authenticity. AI tools like ChatGPT offer assistance in brainstorming ideas, refining language, and structuring essays. Yet, there is a risk that over-reliance on such tools may compromise the authenticity of an applicant’s voice.

“While AI tools can occasionally be a useful tool to leverage, it can also backfire when extensively or inappropriately used. The main risk comes from the impression given to admissions representatives that the essay does not really depict the applicant,” says Virginie Fougea, Global Director of Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships at INSEAD business school in France and Singapore. 

“Often the AI generated essays lack personal examples and substance,” she adds. “They can sound generic and do not correlate well with impressions given by other elements in the application.” 

While these tools can help polish the language and structure of an essay, they may also inadvertently strip away the genuine voice and personality of the applicant. Admissions committees are adept at detecting essays that sound too rehearsed or impersonal, and such essays often fail to leave a lasting impression.

“Some applicants have used the technology in a relatively wise manner during the initial phase of essay creation; AI tools can help verify syntax, structure, or framing,” says Fougea. 

“Others have used it in a way that raises ethical concerns, over-relying on AI for their application essays and therefore, the work and thoughts becoming artificial and canned, instead of authentic and personal,” she says, adding that business schools will need to evolve their admissions criteria. 

A holistic approach to admissions 

Essays play a pivotal role in the application process to business schools, complementing other materials such as academic transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. At the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands, MiM applications are required to answer four short questions. 

But Amy Janssen Brennan, the Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions at the Rotterdam School, stresses these essays are just one small element of the overall admissions process. 

“We try to take a holistic approach and use a wide range of selection criteria, not just an essay. So while AI can be used to help answer these questions, it in no way solely determines admission,” she says. “Right now, there is no way to accurately detect the use of AI, so it is not that much of a priority for us. We are, however, looking into alternative selection criteria other than written questions in the future.” 

Experts say that MiM applicants should approach AI tools as aids rather than crutches. Instead of relying solely on generated text, candidates should use these tools to spark ideas, enhance clarity, and refine their arguments while ensuring that their unique voice remains at the forefront. 

“AI can be a helpful agent in suggesting different ideas for pre-written text excerpts, such as a sentence or paragraph, but that varies based on the AI system used and the exact prompt asked by the user. 

“Brainstorming broad ideas using AI when an applicant is stuck can be helpful. For example, we had a professional baseball pitcher as a client and he went to ChatGPT to ask what pitching and business have in common. AI generated some ideas that we adapted and explored during our engagement,” says business school admissions consultancy Stacy Blackman. 

She adds that a quick grammar check for a given sentence can also be a benefit of ChatGPT, as long as the user checks to make sure the AI output hasn’t changed the underlying meaning of the content. Blackman adds: “Unless the applicant has extensively researched and tested the output to learn what is effective, we recommend avoiding AI altogether.” 

So ultimately, while AI tools like ChatGPT can offer valuable support, applicants must remain vigilant in preserving their authentic voice throughout the writing process. By embracing their unique stories and perspectives, candidates for MiM programs can stand out from the crowd.