AI Appreciation Day - A Deep Dive into AI’s role in the MBA/Masters Application process

Happy AI Appreciation Day! Though with how often we talk about it these days… maybe it’s more like AI Appreciation Year? 😅 Despite early resistance, AI has become integrated into how we work, think—and yes, even apply to business school. MBA programs are rapidly adapting their admissions processes and offerings to stay ahead. So today’s guide explores the evolving role of AI in MBA applications.

🤖 The AI Dilemma in Applications

Here’s the awkward truth about AI: most programs want applicants who understand AI’s impact, but they’re wary when it’s used to write your application. To no surprise, some applicants have tried to use AI completely to draft their application (even my own!) thinking that with the right prompts, they’ll get “perfect” answers. But what you gain in polish, you lose in authenticity. My conversations with Admissions confirm this: they can spot AI-written essays. The voice feels flat. The insight feels generic. It just doesn’t land. The good news? Admissions aren’t anti-AI. They’re fine with applicants using tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and reflecting—just not for doing all the writing. In other words, AI is a great co-pilot, but not the driver.

🎓 What Top Programs Are Doing

MBA programs know AI is changing business and their students need to drive that change. So, as I mentioned in my last post (Summer MBA Application Guide), schools are updating offerings to reflect that shift. Here are some standouts:

Wharton: AI Concentration launching in Fall 2025 with Core courses like Foundations of Deep Learning and Big Data, Big Responsibilities and an AI & Analytics Initiative, plus the Accountable AI Lab focused on AI governance

Kellogg: MBAi - a joint program combining business and engineering; students complete a semester-long capstone with tech firms.

Carnegie Mellon Tepper: AI in Business Concentration; courses include Machine Learning Fundamentals, AI Applications in Business, Ethics & AI, and End-to-End Business Analytics, along with their own AI and Business Initiative

Chicago Booth: an Appiled AI concentration featuring courses like Artificial Intelligence, Generative Thinking, Machine Learning in Finance, and AI & Financial Information along with Access to the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence

INSEAD: Digital Learning Lab, with AI electives, frameworks, and exploration of ethical use.

And beyond these, nearly every top MBA program offers AI-focused electives and research centers. It's not just hype—it's a reflection of what the business world is becoming.

Finally, beyond coursework, programs are even considering AI in how they evaluate applications—especially for quantitative aspects like transcripts or resumes. But when it comes to essays? That human element still matters too much.

💼 The Future of Work Is Here

Whether you’re in consulting, tech, healthcare, finance, or marketing—AI is shifting how industries operate and who gets hired. It’s automating entry-level roles and restructuring entire functions and it’s crucial to think: How will AI change your post-MBA function or industry and how will you lead in that world? That’s why an MBA—especially one with strong AI resources—can be your edge. And if you’re using AI in your applications, it’s essential to use it responsibly and intentionally.

If you're looking for an MBA coach who blends deep industry insight with a human-centered approach, let’s talk. I help clients tell their authentic stories while using AI strategically—not sloppily. Whether you’re in the early research phase or deep in essay drafts, I’ll guide you to bring clarity, structure, and impact to your application. 📅 Book a free consultation here Or send me a message via my contact page. Either way—don’t wait. Round 1 deadlines are closer than they seem. Let’s make this your year for MBA success! 💥