University of Southern California

Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications can be submitted for one of the three application periods listed below. You may apply only once a year. If you are an international student, or want to be considered for a fellowship, the recommended application deadline is January 10, 2014.
 

  Application
Deadlines
Test
Deadlines
Notification
Begins*
Round 1 October 15, 2013 October 15, 2013 December 15, 2013
Round 2* January 10, 2014 January 10, 2014 March 15, 2014
Round 3 April 15, 2014 April 15, 2014 June 1, 2014

*Priority consideration for merit-based scholarships given to both international and domestic students with completed applications.

Recommended deadline for international applicants is Round 2.

Dual-degree decisions will be released beginning April 1, 2014

**Notification includes: invitation to interview, waitlist, deny or admit decision.

Application requirements

  • Four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent.
  • A completed online application.
  • Official academic transcripts.
  • Official GMAT or GRE score report. You must have taken the GMAT or GRE exam by the time you submit an application. The program code for our Full-Time MBA program is 389-9C-23. The GRE code for USC Marshall MBA is 4852. The GMAT or GRE requirement will not be waived under any circumstance. We recommend uploading unofficial copies of your GMAT or GRE scores with your application in addition to sending official scores to USC.
  • One required essay, as outlined in the online application. An optional essay is provided for any additional information you wish to convey to the Admissions Committee.
  • A professional résumé.
  • One letter of recommendation, which must be submitted online.
  • Application fee: $150.
  • International students from non-English-speaking countries only: official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report, International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Transcripts

You may use the forms provided with the online application to request that your undergraduate (bachelor's degree) transcripts be sent directly to the mailing address below:
 University of Southern California
 Office of Admission and Financial Aid
 GRADUATE
 University Park Campus
 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

We encourage applicants to upload unofficial transcripts to the on-line application. However, while the Admissions Committee can review an application with unofficial transcripts, a final decision cannot be rendered until official transcripts have been received and evaluated.

International students: Please ask your undergraduate institution to include an explanation of the grading system and information about how the transcript should be assessed. Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.

Recommendations

Only one letter of recommendation is required. It is used as a gauge of your professional achievements and managerial potential. We prefer that your letter of recommendation be provided by a direct supervisor. This person should provide specific observations and examples of your leadership, teamwork, analytical skills and personal qualities. Your letters of recommendation must be submitted online.

Reapplication

If you are reapplying, please submit the following:
  • A completed online application for admission.
  • Essay (one required, one optional)
  • One new letter of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Official score reports for any tests taken (GMAT or GRE, TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic) since your last application
  • An updated résumé
  • Application fee of $150.00

Interviews

Interviews are conducted by invitation only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. On campus interviewing is preferred, but interviews via Skype are also available.

English-language exams

All international applicants who did not earn a bachelor's degree from a university in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System( IELTS) exam, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.

To avoid delays in processing your application, we suggest that you ask to have your TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores sent to USC Marshall when you pre-register for the examination. You can also upload copies of your TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores — and your GMAT or GRE scores — with your application.

If you are required to take an English Language Exam, an official score report must be forwarded to USC by the testing agency. TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE Academic scores are valid for two years. The TOEFL code for the USC Marshall MBA program is 4852.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): For additional information, visit TOEFL. International English Language Testing System (IELTS): http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx.

Mailing addresses

Applications are submitted online. If you need to send additional materials by postal mail, please use the following address:
 University of Southern California
 Office of Admission and Financial Aid
 GRADUATE
 University Park Campus
 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If you use a courier service, such as DHL or FedEx, use this address instead:
 University of Southern California
 Office of Admission and Financial Aid
 3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 1
 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0911