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Frequently Asked Questions

Application General 
GMAT 
Financing your MBA 
Work Experience 
Application Follow-up 
Interviews 
PRIME 
Dual Degrees 
International Students

Application General:

What are the requirements to apply to the full-time MBA program?

The requirements to apply for admission are:

  • Four year Bachelor's degree
  • Completed application
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Official GMAT scores and TOEFL scores (if applicable)
  • Application fee 

When are your application deadlines?

The 2008-2009 application deadlines are: November 1, December 1, January 15, February 15, and April 1. All applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Does my undergraduate degree need to be in business?

You are not required to have an undergraduate degree or work experience in business. The USC Marshall School of Business recruits and admits individuals from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds.

Can I apply to the part-time MBA program and the full-time MBA program in the same year, or move from one program to another?

USC Marshall offers five MBA programs, and each is entirely separate from the other programs. Students will apply for admission to one program, and to receive their MBA they must complete that specific program. We do not allow students to move from one program to another at anytime due to the differences in course work and structure of the programs.

Is it possible to receive an MBA from USC Marshall if I have already earned an MBA?

For those who have already earned an MBA, USC Marshall recommends the Masters of Science in Business Administration program.  The 26 unit M.S.B.A is designed to provide those who have completed an MBA with an opportunity to pursue further study in an area of specialization, especially an area not thoroughly explored during the course of an MBA.  The degree is available to nly those holding an MBA degree from institutions accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The degree may be completed on either a full-or part-time basis.  Classes applicable to the degree are offered during daytime and eveing hours.  For more information about the MSBA program please visit http://www.marshall.usc.edu/msba/admissions.htm

Can I come on campus to get more information about the full-time MBA program?

The USC Marshall School of Business invites all candidates interested in applying to the full-time MBA program to visit the campus. We offer two programs designed to help applicants learn more:

Information Sessions: Information sessions are offered to groups of interested candidates during the months of October through March. Conducted by members of the Admissions Committee, information sessions are designed to provide essential information about the admissions process and the USC Marshall MBA Full-Time program. Each session lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and concludes with a question and answer period.

The Ambassador Program: The best way to learn about the full-time MBA program at USC Marshall is to come to campus and visit a class. The Ambassador program pairs visitors with a current student who will escort you to class and provide you a tour of the school. The Ambassador program runs from October through April each year. Please keep in mind that tours are not scheduled when classes are not in session, including holidays, winter and spring breaks, and exam days. If you would like to learn more about this year's Ambassadors, or contact one of them, please review our current Ambassador Profile.

Please be sure to call the Admissions Office prior to making any travel arrangements to find out if these programs will be available on the day(s) you plan to visit. Interested candidates should call at least one week in advance to confirm availability. Please contact us at (213) 740-7846 to schedule your appointment, and upon arriving on campus please check in at the MBA Admissions office located in Popovich Hall Room 308.

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Are there minimum requirements for the GMAT, GPA, or work experience?

While we have no minimum requirements for admission, the applicant pool is highly competitive. The class of 2009 had an 80% GMAT range of 640-740, an average undergraduate GPA of 3.30, and 5 years of full-time, post collegiate work experience.

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GMAT:

Can I take the GMAT more than once? How long are GMAT and TOEFL scores good for?

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

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Financing the MBA:

How much does tuition cost?

For the 2008-2009 academic year, graduate tuition and fees at the University of Southern California are estimated to be $49,000. Living fees vary widely based on location of residence, but they are estimated to be $16,000 (9 months).  The total estimated cost for attending USC Marshall for one academic year is $69,000.

Does USC Marshall offer scholarship/ fellowships? How do I apply for one?

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. 2nd year MBA students may apply for a limited number of half tuitions fellowships if they did not receive an award their first year. This fellowship is based on 1st year performance and contribution to the Marshall community.

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Work Experience:

Does my work experience need to be in business?

The class of 2009 had 5 years of full-time, post collegiate work experience.

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Application Follow-Up:

What is your policy on deferred admission?

Students who are admitted to USC Marshall but choose to not attend for whatever reason will not be deferred to the following academic year. These students must re-apply for admission and follow the guidelines for re-applicants listed below.

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If I am not accepted, can I get feedback on my application?

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

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If you are not admitted on a certain round, can you be reconsidered in a later round in the same year?

Students who are denied admission in any round of the application process must wait until the following academic year to re-apply for admission. These students only need to complete the re-application procedures as listed below.

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What is the process if I am a re-applicant to the USC Marshall MBA program?

If you have submitted an application within the past two years, you are required to submit only the following application materials:

  • Application including 1 essay
  • One new letter of recommendation.
  • Official transcripts for any coursework taken since your last application.
  • Official score reports for any tests (GMAT or TOEFL) taken since your last application.
  • An updated résumé.
  • An application fee: $150 for online application

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Interview:

How can I arrange for an interview?

Interviews are conducted only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, upon receipt of a completed application. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by phone or e-mail.

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PRIME:

What is PRIME?

The Pacific RIM Education (PRIME) program was implemented in 1997 as the first ever MBA course of its kind to require all first year students to participate in an international experience. PRIME begins with an intensive five-week-long module of study exploring the social, cultural, and political environment of business and management practices in the Pacific Rim, and is a graduation requirement for all full-time MBA students. At the end of the course the PRIME project teams will travel abroad for ten days and make an on-site presentation to a corporate client. Visits to select domestic and multinational companies and government institutions will allow students to compare and contrast the region's businesses, industries, markets, trade practices, and policies with those of the U.S., and will help one to become a better global manager in the process.

Current sites include:

  • Tokyo and Osaka in Japan
  • Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Beijing in China
  • Singapore and Bangkok in Thailand
  • Santiago in Chile and Sao Paulo in Brazi

 

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Dual Degrees:

Do you offer dual degree programs?

USC offers a number of dual degree programs between USC Marshall and other USC schools and departments. An applicant must be offered admission to both schools/departments through each program's admissions process to be considered a dual degree candidate.

For additional information on dual degree program, please visit the USC course catalog

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International Students:

If I am an international student, can I apply for a Stafford loan?

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.

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