These “Big Three” questions are what typically appear on business school applications. Generically, your answers boil down to what you have done, where you are going, and how you are going to get there. The wording may differ from school to school, but this is what they all want to know.

However, ChatGPT and other generative AI tools have thrown a wrench in the normal application process. The growing technology can write beautiful prose can be almost impossible to differentiate from a human. At the same time, schools are cognizant of this and placing less of an emphasis on the essay portion and requiring new, human-centered elements like video recordings. 

Overall, business schools base their admissions decisions on a mosaic of college transcripts, GMAT and GRE scores, résumés, and recommendations. The essay remains a prime chance to pull ahead of everyone else with similar qualifying credentials, differentiating yourself through your accomplishments, your goals, and your potential to lead.

Essays that range from specifics to the kitchen sink

Here’s an all-too-common scenario for many applicants: Sitting at their laptop and poised to punch out the perfect perambulation, somewhere in the journey from brain to fingertips, those great accomplishments suddenly pale. Why they chose this school seems frivolous, and the self-evaluation might benefit from consultation with a mental health specialist.

Suppose you believe you have a good shot at an elite business school and decide to apply to five of the M7 schools. You are committing yourself to many hours of drafting, editing, polishing, and perfecting over a dozen separate essays. Plus, if you are superstitious or obsessive-compulsive—or a little of both—there are additional “optional” topics to opine upon.

Many schools specify a maximum word count, and others have minimums—adding a whole new layer of angst as you try to figure out how many words are too many and how many are too few.

Of course, while the questions posed overlap, they are never identical—such that might allow you to “leverage” your purple prose in its entirety, though grabbing good ideas and words may be possible. Do make sure if transferring exaltations of one school to the application of another, you double-check for mention of the first school, its location, or any other identifying characteristics.

What do M7 schools ask for their MBA application essays?

To start, MIT Sloan has one of the simplest essay requirements. Students must submit a 300-word or less cover letter in standard business correspondence addressed to the admissions commitment about why you meet the desired student criteria. Then, you must turn in a single take, 60 seconds or less video introducing yourself to your future classmates.

Learn more: How to get into MIT Sloan’s full-time MBA program.

Northwestern (Kellogg) also requires a video essay, but prompts are provided to students after submission of their application package and payment. In total, the video will take 20–25 minutes to complete, including setup. Two 450-word, written essays are required, too, with the first focused on why you want to pursue an MBA, career goals, and what makes Kellogg the right fit. Then, in the second essay, students must explain a difficult situation where decision-making took plus—and how it impacted one’s leadership style.

Learn more: How to get into Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA program.

For Wharton, you have 500 words to spend on…“How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals?” And another 400 words to address…“How do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?” Ask not what Wharton can do for you, but what you can do for Wharton.

Learn more: How to get into Wharton’s MBA program.

Stanford applicants face a reductionist philosophical question of “What matters most to you, and why?” This is followed by, “Why Stanford?” The first question is your ticket to showcase what you’ve done and where you’re going, with the second a chance to discuss how you plan to build on your experiences and get there, thanks to Stanford. It might be tricky to navigate redundancy, as clearly what matters most to many applicants is being accepted at Stanford, so the response to the first question already answers the second.

Learn more: How to get into Stanford’s MBA program.

Columbia Business School’s first question is a pop quiz. It asks, “What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal?” in 50 characters maximum. Next, Columbia asks applications to describe and elaborate on a time or situation when one of five inclusively skills were needed to be used: mitigating bias and prejudice; managing intercultural dialogue; addressing systemic inequity; understanding Identity and perspective taking; and creating an inclusive environment. Finally, in 250 words, the school asks applicants how they would create an optimal MBA experience.

Learn more: How to get into Columbia Business School.

The University of Chicago (Booth) gives prospective students free reign to provide as many words as you feel necessary for its two essay questions, as long as at least 250 are provided. Applicants first must answer how a Booth MBA will help with your short- and long-term career goals and then tell the school “more about you outside the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are…”

Learn more: How to get into University of Chicago Booth’s full-time MBA program.

Harvard Business School recently announced their essay question for the class of 2027 applicants will be new. However, historically, the school has had a pretty wide-open prompt, asking students to simply share ”what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy…”

Learn more: How to get into Harvard Business School.

Most schools also give you the chance to share any additional information that the admissions team needs to know about you that was not able to be expressed through application such as life circumstances or explained gaps in work or education.

For anyone reapplying to an MBA program, schools may also have an additional question asking about how you’ve evolved since the last time. 

Overall, it is important to remember that each school amends their admissions requirements quite often, and they may differ depending on the program. The easiest way to see what you need to write is to start the application. If you believe the school is the right fit, do not let the admissions requirements stop you; let them stop the less motivated prospective students. 

What MBA consultants say about applying to B-school

Those with a deep desire to land at a top MBA program seek out experienced MBA admissions consultants for help. There are dozens of companies that offer these services and can help train with development of résumés, essays, and interviews. What’s notable is that many MBA consultant firms hire ex-MBA admissions counselors, so they are very knowledgeable about what certain programs look for in prospective students. 

Sameer Kamat, the founder of MBA Crystal Ball, says if prospective students follow five best practices, they will be able to craft a successful application:  

1. Introspection: Understand yourself first: who you are, what you stand for, what your goals are, what you lack, what you are good at.
2. Understand the essay prompts: Even if you write an impressive essay, if you miss what the prompt is asking, that can be a major turnoff to admission officers.
3. Demonstrate the fit with the MBA program: Find what makes each business school unique and how you can contribute to that.
4. Stick to the word count: Do more with less. It’ll make you more memorable. Short stories are remembered more easily than long ones.
5. Add a little X factor to it: This could be an interesting or unusual accomplishment from your career. Or an event from your life that contributed to who you are today.

Scott Edinburgh, founder of Personal MBA Coach, says prospective students should seek out guidance from others—whether it ends up being a consultant or simply someone who has recently gone through the application process. That way individuals can figure out which programs they stand a chance applying for as well as simply finding ones that are a best fit.

“You don’t need to have your exact goals mapped out,” he tells Fortune. “But if you have some sense of what you’re looking to do, that’s different from what you’re doing today, that will help you to figure out what types of schools are good for you; start to take some some practice tests to get a sense for roughly speaking where what you fall from a competitiveness standpoint.”

“Apply earlier than later is the wise move,” he adds. “(There are) multiple rounds, but the earlier you are, the more likely you’ll get in and the higher the scholarships you’ll probably get.”

What is the best MBA application advice?

Each school presents friendly advice, some of it mechanical, some paternalistic, and some cautionary—as in, “Don’t let anyone else write your essay.” Here is a mashup:

Be yourself, be introspective, be candid, be succinct. Don’t overthink, overcraft, or overwrite. 

Give yourself enough time to reflect, write, and edit. Ask for feedback but don’t cross the line.

All writers, even professionals, know well the terror of facing down a blank page. For you, the applicant, the stakes are particularly high. Here are a few tips to help you put your best words forward, offered by someone who once upon a time addressed the three questions at the top of this article in a B-school application. She got in. And then wrote an article on business school application essays published in Fortune.

First and foremost, read the question, read the question, and then—read the question. Before, during, and after writing. Then go back and ask, “Did this answer the question?” If not, back to the drawing board.

Then, try this simple but powerful construct for lining up your thesis. What is the issue here? Why should anyone care about it (in particular, the school and its admissions officers)? How will you solve it?

You’ve been told this before, but here it is again: The best writing is not writing, it’s editing. Figure that out and you’re golden.

And last, sometimes you don’t ever finish, you just stop. But you’re not done until you’ve dropped your draft(s) into the Read Aloud feature in Word (or an equivalent). You will be shocked at the silly errors you find.

“Everyone has a different ability to get into a different range of schools, and there’s the right school for everyone. And it’s not necessarily a top five, or top seven, or for top 10, or even maybe top top 20. There are a lot of great things that schools can do for applicants,” Edinburgh says.

You’ve got this. Now go write your essays.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make my MBA application stand out?

To make an MBA application, think outside of the box and include something that is unique to you and your life circumstances, whether that be a triumph, failure, or simple learning moment. It only takes one admissions counselor to think you are a great fit for you to be accepted.

How to create a strong MBA application?

A strong MBA application is authentic and introspective. Let your personality shine by being yourself and express your passion for your career goals and how an MBA can help you achieve those. Also, make it clear you’ve done your research on whatever program you are applying for—and use it in your application.

How to improve an MBA application?

You can make an MBA application better by adding more personality and humanity. For example, you can cater it to a specific school or program by highlighting a specific course, professor, or innovation you are excited about or talk about how a unique life experience of yours may fit perfectly into the program’s mission. 

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Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.