AI can help you research business schools, brainstorm essay ideas, prepare for interviews, and organize the application process. But how much AI is too much?

In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined by Hannah Artis, Senior Director of Graduate Admission, and Frank Fletcher, Senior Director of MBA Programs at the Masagung Graduate School of Management at the University of San Francisco.

They discuss how admissions teams are thinking about AI, where it can genuinely strengthen your application, and where relying on it too heavily can cause you to lose the most important part of your candidacy: your own voice.

You'll hear why AI can be an excellent "sparring partner," why an overly polished essay may actually work against you, how to use AI to prepare for an MBA interview without sounding scripted, and why critical thinking remains one of the most important skills you can bring to business school.

Plus, Hannah and Frank share practical advice for applicants who are still trying to figure out their story, their goals, and their "why."

Helpful Resources:

Masagung Graduate School of Business: https://www.usfca.edu/management/programs/graduate

Key Takeaways:

Use AI as a sparring partner, not a substitute. It can challenge your ideas, help you brainstorm, and prepare you for difficult questions—but your judgment and answers should remain your own.
Don't polish away your personality. Admissions teams aren't necessarily looking for a perfectly packaged candidate; the quirks, uncertainty, growth, and messiness of your story can help them understand who you really are.
AI is particularly useful for research and preparation. Use it to explore programs, identify questions, organize deadlines, brainstorm, and practice interviews—but verify important information directly with schools.
Never outsource the interview. Preparation is encouraged; scripted, AI-generated responses can prevent admissions teams from seeing how you actually think and communicate.
Critical thinking remains the differentiator. Knowing which tools to use, when to use them, and how to navigate ambiguity matters more than simply becoming more efficient.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction
02:21 – How often does AI come up with MBA applicants?
05:59 – Where AI can genuinely help your application
07:14 – Using AI as a "sparring partner"
09:45 – Why your application doesn't need to be perfect
11:59 – The danger of outsourcing the reflection process
12:43 – AI, recommendations, and interviews
16:08 – USF's policy on AI in applications
17:06 – Are admissions teams using AI too?
19:18 – How business schools are preparing students to work with AI
22:42 – Why you shouldn't outsource your critical thinking
26:08 – The part of your application you should always do yourself
26:46 – Where it's reasonable to seek help
27:57 – How to figure out your story and your "why"
30:31 – Learn more about the Masagung School of Management