Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

• What are the application requirements for the Full-Time MBA program?
• What are the application deadlines?
• Does my undergraduate degree need to be in business?
• Are there any minimum requirements?
• Can I take the GMAT more than once? How long are GMAT, TOEFL or PTE scores valid?
• Can I apply to a part-time USC Marshall MBA program and the Full-Time MBA program in the same year, or move from one program to another?
• Do you offer dual degree programs?
• Is it possible to receive a Full-Time MBA from USC Marshall if I have already earned an MBA?
• Can I visit the campus to get more information about the Full-Time MBA program?
• How can I arrange for an interview?

Financing the MBA

• What is the cost of attending?
• How do I apply for USC Marshall fellowships?
• May international students apply for a Stafford loan?

After You Have Applied

• What is your policy on deferred admission?
• If I am not accepted, can I get feedback on my application?
• If I am not accepted at one of the three application periods, can my application be reconsidered later the same year?

PRIME

• What is PRIME?

• Four-year bachelor's degree, or equivalent
• Completed application
• Official academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Professional résumé
• Official test scores (GMAT or GRE. If applicable, TOEFL or PTE Academic)
• Application fee

What are the application deadlines?

No. USC Marshall recruits and admits individuals from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds.

While we have no minimum requirements for admission, the applicant pool is highly competitive.

Yes, you can take the GMAT more than once. The Admissions Committee will consider the highest score. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years. TOEFL and PTE Academic scores are valid for two years.

USC Marshall’s five MBA programs are entirely separate from each other. You must apply for admission to only one program per academic year. We do not allow students to move from one program to another at any time.

USC Marshall and other USC schools and departments offer several dual-degree programs. To be a dual-degree candidate, you must follow the dual-degree program’s admissions process and be offered admission to both schools/departments. For additional information, consult the USC Catalogue.

If you have already earned an MBA, USC Marshall recommends the Master’s of Science in Business Administration program. The 26-unit MSBA degree enables you to pursue further study in an area of specialization not thoroughly explored during the course of an MBA.

To be eligible, you must have an MBA degree from an institution accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The MSBA degree may be completed on either a full- or part-time basis. Classes applicable to the degree are offered during daytime and evening hours. For more information, visit the MSBA web site.

Yes, we encourage you to visit. Please see Visiting USC Marshall for details.

Interviews are conducted only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified via e-mail.

The estimated cost of attending the USC Marshall MBA Program is $77,000. This amount includes tuition and fees ($55,000) and estimated living expenses of $22,000 for the nine-month academic year. Please be aware that living expenses can vary greatly, depending on where in Los Angeles you live and your choice of accommodation (in shared housing or on your own).

All applicants are considered for fellowship opportunities. Fellowships are merit-based and typically range from half- to full-tuition remission. There is no separate application process for these awards. Second year MBA students who did not receive an award during their first year may apply for a limited number of second year fellowships. This fellowship is based on first year academic performance and contributions to the Marshall community.

No, international students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid, which includes Stafford and Perkins loans. However, international students may qualify for private loans if they have a U.S. co-signer.

Students who are admitted to USC Marshall but are unable to attend for whatever reason will not be deferred to the following academic year. You must reapply for admission. If you have submitted an application within the past two years, you are required to submit only the following application materials:

• Completed application for admission
• Essays (two required, one optional)
• One new letter of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Official score reports for any tests (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, PTE Academic) taken since your last application
• An updated professional résumé
• Application fee of $150.00

Members of the Admissions Committee will offer counseling sessions in September to students who have been denied admission. To schedule a counseling appointment, please call the Admissions Office in late August at (213) 740-7846.

If I receive a "denied" decision, will my application be reconsidered later the same year?

Students denied admission in any round of the application process must wait until the following academic year to reapply.

What is PRIME?

PRIME, which stands for Pacific Rim International Management Education, is a requirement for all full-time first-year MBA Marshall students. This innovative course begins with an intensive five-week-long exploration of the social, cultural and political environment of business and management practices in the Pacific Rim.

During the spring term, the PRIME project teams travel abroad for 10 days and make an on-site presentation to a corporate client. Visits to select domestic and multinational companies and government institutions allow students to compare and contrast the region's businesses, industries, markets, trade practices and policies with those of the United States.