Like so many folks, I've been playing with ChatGPT for all kinds of stuff. It's a combination of fun, a bit of terror, awe, and skepticism all rolled into one, like it probably has been for many of you. There are certain inflection points in our world where one piece of tech changes everything - the personal computer in the 80s, Netscape browser in the 1990s, the iPhone in 2007, and now consumer use-able AI.
Anyhow, I asked ChatGPT to write an MBA admissions essay based on one of Wharton's essay questions from last year's application. This person is fictitious - but I tried as best to give it enough high level info to riff on, but enough of a blank canvas to see what it can come up with.
What do you think?
Given that it is already being used to generate writing for more in-depth subjects, I think that this may get university admissions officers to re-think the application process.
Here is the prompt:
Write an admissions essay of about 500 words for an American male who studied microbiology at UCLA, worked as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting for 4 years in their Palo Alto office and is looking to transition into working in business development and strategy in Artificial Intelligence at companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta and Open AI.
The essay question is "How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton."
And here is the result:
As a microbiology major at UCLA, I initially thought I would pursue a career in healthcare, but my interests gradually shifted towards technology and business strategy. After four years as a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting in Palo Alto, I am now looking to transition into working in business development and strategy in Artificial Intelligence at companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta and Open AI.
To achieve this goal, I have come to the realization that obtaining an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is the best next step for my career. The Wharton School's MBA program will provide me with the skills, knowledge, and connections I need to advance my career in the field of artificial intelligence.
In the short term, I am interested in working in business development and strategy in the AI field. I want to understand the industry's current state and identify emerging opportunities for growth. Wharton's course offerings in AI, machine learning, and data analysis will provide me with a strong foundation in these areas. Moreover, Wharton's strong industry connections will allow me to connect with industry leaders and learn from their experiences in navigating the challenges of the AI industry.
In the long term, I aspire to lead AI companies and drive innovation in the field. With a Wharton MBA, I will be equipped with the leadership skills and strategic acumen needed to succeed as a business leader in the AI industry. Wharton's focus on practical, hands-on learning will provide me with the opportunity to apply what I learn in the classroom to real-world business situations.
I am also excited about the resources available at Wharton that will enable me to achieve my goals. Wharton's AI for Business Initiative, for example, is a unique resource that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of AI and its business applications. Additionally, Wharton's alumni network is one of the largest and most influential in the world, and it will allow me to connect with successful Wharton graduates who work in the AI industry.
In addition to Wharton's academic resources, I am also excited about the extracurricular opportunities that the school offers. I am particularly interested in the Wharton AI Society, which brings together students with a shared interest in the AI industry. Being part of this community will allow me to stay up to date on the latest industry trends and network with other students who share my passion for AI.
Finally, I believe that my past experiences in microbiology and consulting have prepared me well for the challenges of pursuing a career in the AI industry. As a microbiology major, I developed the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to approach complex problems in a systematic and scientific way. As a consultant, I learned how to work collaboratively with teams and deliver results in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. These experiences will enable me to make meaningful contributions to the Wharton community and excel in the MBA program.
In conclusion, the Wharton MBA program is the ideal platform for me to achieve my short and long-term career goals. Through Wharton's academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, and alumni network, I am confident that I will be able to gain the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to succeed in the AI industry. I am excited about the prospect of joining the Wharton community, and I look forward to contributing to the school's vibrant and diverse community of students and alumni.
Not bad for a first draft, but the essay has a lot of margin for improvement to be considered “decent” in Wharton standards
Agreed. But you'll be surprised how many generic essays I've seen over the years, written by humans.
See that's the thing about ChatGPT. It sounds very eloquent but the answer itself is just a generic laundry list of things at Wharton. No doubt it makes your life a lot easier because you don't have to tediously research this on your own, but the essay still lacks a unique voice and flair that will stand out to an adcom. ChatGPT can help save a lot of time but a human will still have to put the essay together in a creative way.
I think that's where the trend is going at least in the very short-term -- it'll be a hybrid approach where AI generates a template or rough structure. Then you the human add specifics to it to make it yours. With that said though, if you're starting with something quite generic, adding specifics won't change the tone of the writing, which is still quite neutral.
For admissions essays that are supposed to be more personal that should read more like a monologue or a transcript of a real-life person talking about themselves (i.e. an edited down version of a podcast interview), it's still better to start from the ground up without the aid of AI (at least for now).
With that said, this may put university admissions offices on notice about potentially changing the applications process altogether, from written essays, to video essays.
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I helped with admissions at my M7 for a while. This essay honestly reads a lot like the essays I've seen. And we admitted a lot of those essays' authors.
My admissions consultant provided a bunch of successful essays and they were all pretty much written like this for the generic why MBA and ST/LT goals essay.
Glad that you posted this. Also, it's nice that you're back on here after so long! Do you still do admissions coaching?
Not as much as I used to for many reasons. But will take on some folks here and there.
Not a bad start/structure tbh
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