Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) Admissions
Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) Admissions
Greetings from the MBA Admissions Office. Thank you for considering Marshall as a place to pursue your graduate management education. We seek to recruit a class that, as a whole, will be greater than the sum of its parts. Every candidate has strengths and weakness, just as each candidate has the capacity to learn and to teach.
What matters most to us is our learning community and how, through collaboration, we grow and learn together to collectively strengthen the Trojan Family. Thus, we do not believe in the concept of the “perfect” or “ideal” candidate. In fact, there are more atypical candidates than typical ones, and everyone has a unique story.
If you have the ambition, the commitment, and the motivation to begin this next phase of your life, we welcome the opportunity to hear your story.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Deadline | Decision By | ||
---|---|---|---|
Round 1 | October 15, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |
Round 2 | January 5, 2024 | March 31, 2024 | |
Round 3 | March 1, 2024 | May 15, 2024 | |
Round 4 | April 15, 2024 | June 15, 2024 | |
Round 5 | Applications submitted after April 15, 2024 will be considered on a space-available basis. |
DOWNLOAD OUR CLASS PROFILE ONE-SHEET
Demographics:
Class Size: 199 Students
Historically Underrepresented Students of Color*: 20%
International: 41%
Female: 35%
LGBTQ+ (Self-Identified): 9%
U.S. Military (of Domestic Pool): 12%
*Consists of domestic students (as percentage of domestic pool) who identify as one or more of the following groups: Asian-American, African-American or Black; Hispanic-American or Latinx; American Indian or Alaska Native; or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Education & Employment
Average GMAT: 722 | Middle 80%: 681 - 760
Average GRE: 160V | 163Q | Middle 80%: 135-166V | 155-170Q
Average GPA: 3.5 | Middle 80%: 3.09 - 3.87
Average Work Experience: 5.5 Years
Average Age: 29 Years
Pre-MBA Industries
Financial Services: 19%
Technology: 14%
Healthcare: 13%
Consulting: 10%
Manufacturing: 6%
Consulting: 6%
Government/Military: 5%
Media/Entertainment: 4%
Consumer Package Goods: 4%
Non-Profit: 4%
Retail: 3%
Hospitality: 2%
Transportation & Logistics: 1%
Other: 7%
Undergraduate Majors
Business/Commerce: 32%
Engineering/Computer Science: 16%
Economics: 13%
Sciences: 14%
Social Sciences: 10%
Humanities: 7%
Other: 8%
REQUIREMENTS
- A completed online application
- A four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution
- Academic transcripts
- GMAT or GRE scores (if applicable) – All candidates must submit scores with the exception of applicants who have been granted a test waiver or applicants who are USC medical students applying to the MD/MBA dual degree program. See below for Test Waiver Request Option.
- Two required essays (there is also one optional essay)
- A professional résumé (typically one page)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable). This applies to most international applicants (non-U.S. citizen or non-U.S permanent resident). Review the "Test Scores" section below to determine if this requirement applies to you.
The Marshall Full-Time MBA Program does not require an application fee. Rather we prefer to consider any candidate who has a genuine interest in our program regardless of the ability to pay a fee.
Letters of recommendation are neither required nor accepted as part of the Marshall Full-Time MBA admissions process. Please do not submit such letters at any point during the admissions cycle.
Transcript submission is a two-step process:
Cover sheet:
We recommend that you fill out the “College/University Transcript Cover Page” and send it to the registrar’s office of each post-secondary institution you have attended. Although it is not mandatory, including it along with your USC ID number will help us match your transcripts to your file as quickly as possible.
E-transcripts:
USC now accepts official electronic transcripts from all countries, provided that the transcript originates from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.
Please instruct the vendor to email the transcript to etrans@usc.edu. Do not send any other materials or correspondence to this email address yourself. Electronic transcripts e-mailed to any other address will not be downloaded, resulting in a delay of your file review and an extra expense to you because the transcript will need to be re-sent.
USC alumni or current students:
If you are a USC degree holder, you must still upload a copy of your official transcript into the online application. However, you do not need to submit USC transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admission. Please be sure to include your USC enrollment in the “Academic Background” section so that we may match your application to the academic records already on file.
Transcripts in original language of issuance:
International students who have earned their degree outside the United States must check our country-specific requirements to determine if we need original-language copies of their academic records. In such cases, a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all academic records must also be submitted. The translation should either be issued directly from the school itself or by a professional, certified translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” them as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable.
Credential evaluation:
Please note that USC does not accept or recognize credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g. WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review.
Mailing Instructions:
Official academic records from all post-secondary schools you have attended should be sent to the addresses provided below.
If sending your transcripts via regular mail, please use the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx, please use the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
Phone: (213) 740-1111
Confidentiality and Document Submission Policy
Transcripts and all other materials submitted for admission consideration become the property of USC. The university does not return or duplicate materials for any reason whatsoever. The information and materials in your submitted application are made available only to the central Office of Admission and the admission committee of the academic department or professional school to which you have applied.
Essay Questions:
Essay #1 (Required) – What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (word limit: 100)
Essay #2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with "Dear Admissions Committee" This letter is meant to be your personal statement that provides the Admissions Committee with an understanding of your candidacy for Marshall beyond what is evident in other parts of your application. This essay is purposely open-ended. You are free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. Our goal is to have an appreciation for and an understanding of each candidate in ways that are not captured by test scores, grades, and resumes. (word limit: 600)
Essay #3 (Optional) Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)
Uploading of Test Scores
All admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Committee based on unofficial test scores that are uploaded into the online application as follows:
GMAT or GRE Score Report – All candidates must submit at least one of these exams. The only exceptions are:
We are now accepting GMAT Focus and Shorter GRE General Test scores in addition to traditional GMAT and GRE scores.
These tests must have been taken on or after August 1, 2019. If you have taken both tests, please submit both. Upload unofficial copies (examinee score report or test-day printout) into your online application. Note: You must either upload your score report into the application or provide the intended future test date in the appropriate field in the application. Failure to do so may result in a deny decision.
TOEFL or IELTS Score Report – All candidates must possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in oral and written English. International applicants (those who are not U.S. citizens or not U.S. permanent residents) whose native language is not English must submit at least one of these test score reports. Marshall, however, does not require the submission of English Proficiency Exam scores by international applicants for the Full-Time MBA program who hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety at an officially recognized non-U.S. university in which English is the language of instruction. In sum, all international applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following:
TOEFL or IELTS exams must be taken on or after August 1, 2022 to be considered valid. Upload unofficial copies (examinee score report or test-day printout) in the appropriate area below. Important: Please register to have the testing service(s) forward USC the official school test report no later than the deadline for the admissions round within which you are applying. Failure to do so will result in your application being shifted to a subsequent admissions round.
Submitting Official Test Scores
All candidates will need to submit official test scores (provided to USC by the testing service). To save time, applicants should, at the time of test registration, have the testing service(s) forward the official, confidential school report using the following institution codes:
For the 2023-24 admissions cycle, the Full-Time MBA Program is providing candidates the option of submitting a standardized test (GMAT or GRE) waiver request. Please review a description of the policy and process below and visit the Test Waiver Requests section of our FAQ page for more detailed information. If you are applying using The Consortium application, please review the Consortium Application information below for additional information on the test waiver process.
Test Waiver Policy:
The Marshall Full Time MBA Program allows for the submission of a request for a standardized test (GMAT or GRE) waiver. Only applicants who have applied to the program may request a waiver. In order to make the request, please use the Test Waiver Request Essay of the application to describe your rationale and make a compelling case for the request. Finally, you should review and consider carefully the following guidelines before making the request:
- Standardized tests provide the Admissions Committee with some evidence of a candidate’s ability to perform academically in the MBA core curriculum. Test scores also serve to provide an indication of English language capability. The basis for your waiver request - and your response to the Test Waiver Request Essay - should be grounded in a record of exceptional academic achievement that includes demonstrated mathematical preparedness. While professional experience can be included as a component of the waiver request, the Admissions Committee will most strongly consider two elements:
1) overall academic achievement and
2) performance in quantitative coursework.
- Applications – with or without test scores – will be reviewed holistically.
- The decision to grant or decline a waiver request should not be viewed as a signal of the ultimate admissions decision.
- Waivers will not be considered if an applicant has not submitted a complete application including uploaded copies of a résumé and all official academic transcripts.
- Test waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Decisions on waiver requests are final, and Marshall will not respond to requests for re-consideration.
- Test scores serve as one consideration in merit-based scholarship decisions.
- Some employers may consider test scores in their evaluation of job applicants.
Note: If a test waiver request is approved, the Admissions Committee will not consider test scores that are submitted at any point in the cycle when rendering the admissions decision.
Test Waiver Submission Process:
With the exception of candidates who are applying through The Consortium, only candidates who have applied to the program can submit a waiver request. The process requires two steps (Note: Failure to complete both steps may result in a deny decision.):
Step #1 – Submit a complete application that includes a résumé, all academic transcripts, and a response to the Test Waiver Request Essay (included in the application). In addition, you should respond affirmatively to the question in the application that asks if you are submitting a test waiver request.
Step #2 – Upon submission of the application, you must alert the Admissions Committee of your test waiver request by submitting an email to FTtestwaiver@marshall.usc.edu. This will allow us to respond to your request in a timely fashion. The subject line should read “Test Waiver Request – Application Submitted.” Please include your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and USC CAS ID# (located in the top right corner of your online application) in the email, so that we can easily locate your file.
The numbers provided below are approximations. 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).
COSTS
FIRST-YEAR
Tuition (based on 2022-2023 tuition): $72,501
Fees: USC Central Services and Health Fees: $1,150
MBA Program Fees: $1,350
PRIME Fee: $3,850
Books/Supplies: $3,100
Total Living Expenses: $27,310
Total Cost: $109,261
SECOND-YEAR
Tuition (based on 2022-2023 tuition): $67,009
Fees: USC Central Services and Health Fees: $1,150
MBA Program Fees: $400
Books/Supplies: $2,000
Total Living Expenses: $24,580
Total Cost: $95,139
All admitted applicants are considered for merit-based scholarship opportunities, and candidates are informed of the scholarship decision at the point of admission. The assessment criteria are the same as those used for the admissions decision but at a more competitive level. There is no separate application process for these scholarship awards.
There are two additional scholarship opportunities that exist:
Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) Fellowships
Candidates who are able to demonstrate a commitment to the CGSM mission can apply for both CGSM membership and a CGSM Fellowship through a separate application process. Candidates applying through the CCGM should apply using the CGSM application and not the Marshall application. Please visit the following website for more details: www.cgsm.org.
For more information, please reach out to our staff liaison, Elaine Padilla, at epadilla@marshall.usc.edu
Schoen Family Scholarship Program for Veterans
Newly admitted Full-Time MBA students may apply for this specific opportunity. Candidates must meet the following criteria for application eligibility:
- Candidate must have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces; and
- Candidate must have served a minimum of three years of continuous, full-time, activity duty in the last 10 years.
For more information please reach out to our staff liaison, Nirav Mehta, at niravmeh@marshall.usc.edu
Please visit the USC FINANCIAL AID website to inquire about Federal Stafford Loans and other loan options. 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. Additional helpful links include:
- USC STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
- USC TUITION PAYMENT PLAN
- CORPORATE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
- SPONSOR PAYMENTS / AGENCY BILLING
USC is a participant of the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. Visit the USC OFFICE OF VERTAN AFFAIRS for more information.
STUDENT AMBASSADORS
CLASS OF 2024
Previous Industry & Function: Consulting (TMT and consumer)
Intended Industry & Function: Corporate Finance
Hometown: Beijing, China
Previous Industry & Function: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) / Sales
Intended Industry & Function: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) /Brand Management
Hometown: Granite Bay, CA
Previous Industry & Function: U.S. Army Intelligence Officer
Intended Industry & Function: Consulting, Program Management
Hometown: Houston, TX
Previous Industry & Function: Technology (Semi-Conductors)
Intended Industry & Function: Technology/Entertainment Tech; Product Marketing Management
Hometown: Houston, TX
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
If you are not a United States national, and you will be entering, or have already entered, the United States with an F-1 or J-1 student visa, you should apply as an international student. Applicants who already reside in the United States and hold other non-immigrant visas (for example, E2, H2 or L2) are also considered international students.
Permanent residents of the United States, naturalized U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens residing abroad and attending a university outside the United States are not considered international students.
Records of your undergraduate and/or graduate degrees
When uploading transcripts into your online application or when providing the official transcripts (for all enrolling students) from the college/university, please follow these instructions.
Submit one set of records from each college or university you have attended. The records should indicate the number of lecture and laboratory hours devoted to each course and the grades (marks) you received. Included should be 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 performed by the university or a certified professional translator. You may send a certified copy of the official document instead of the original.
You must also submit an official document showing the title and date of each degree you have earned. For schools in some countries, the transcript indicates this information. In other countries, this information is provided on another document (e.g., graduation certification, diploma). You should upload copies of these documents along with your transcripts in the “Academic History” section of the application.
Proof of Financial Support and Passport Copies
All enrolling international students are required to submit: 1) Proof of financial support; and 2) Copies of the first two pages of their passport in order to be issued an I-20 or DS-2019. While these documents are not required for the review of your application, we strongly encourage you to upload copies of these documents into your application in the “Supporting Information” section. This will reduce the delays in processing the I-20 or DS-2019. If you wish to submit these documents after you submit your application, you may do so. For information, please visit the USC Financial Documentation website.
International Degree Verification (for enrolling students only)
The USC Office of Degree Progress requires verification of prior international degrees for all enrolling students from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF). Details about their services, including application forms, fees, and required documents are available at www.ierf.org/usc.
Please contact Degree Progress dprogss@usc.edu, 213.740.7070 if you have any questions, or need more information regarding prior degree verification.
Marshall Policy on English-language proficiency
International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement under one of the following circumstances:
OR
Once an international applicant is admitted, they are encouraged to start utilizing the services offered through the Office of International Services. This office provides orientation programs and continuing support services for international students and their dependents. Specially trained professional counselors and student peer counselors are available to advise you about immigration regulations, academic progress, financial concerns, housing and adjusting to life in the United States. Year-round social and cultural activities are also sponsored through this office. For information, contact (213) 740-2666, or visit OIS.USC.EDU.
Below is some additional information you will need to be aware of and act upon as you prepare to leave your country for study in the United States.
U.S. Visa Information
After your admissions to the Marshall MBA Program, the USC Office of Graduate and International Admission will provide the student with either an I-20 or DS-2019 Eligibility Certificate. The I-20 is valid for the F-1 visa. The DS-2019 is valid for the J-1 visa. Make sure that the information provided on the USC Marshall application —name, date of birth, city and country of birth, and country of citizenship — is exactly the same as the information on the passport. The student’s eligibility certificate can be issued only if the information on the passport matches the information provided to USC Marshall.
When the student receives the eligibility certificate from USC, they must apply through a United States embassy or consulate for a visa to enter the United States. The student must register for the semester specified on the certificate. Admitted international students with questions about the student visa process should e-mail USCI20@USC.EDU.
Health insurance and health fee requirements
International students must carry health and accident insurance unless their sponsor provides sufficient health coverage. USC reserves the right to determine whether the amount of insurance the student has is adequate. All USC students on the University Park campus pay a mandatory health fee entitling them to health and counseling services at the University Park Health Center. Students may also purchase medical coverage for family members accompanying them to the United States. For more information, please call the University Park Health Center at (213) 740-5344.
Social Security Number
A Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued by the federal Social Security Administration to citizens and to non-citizens authorized to work in the United States. The primary purpose of this number is to track individuals for taxation purposes; it is not intended to be used for identification.
The only reason an international student would need a Social Security card is to apply for a job. If the student has a job offer, the USC Office of International Services can help them obtain a Social Security number. To open a bank account, international students will be asked to fill out a form attesting that they are exempt, as an international student, from the Social Security number requirement. For more information, click HERE.
Once admitted, the items below must be complete before an I-20 can be issued
Consortium Applicants
Marshall is a proud member of and the first business school on the West Coast to join the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, an alliance between 21 leading American graduate business schools and top corporations whose mission is to increase representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business education and in the corporate world. All prospective MBA students with a demonstrated commitment to The Consortium mission are encouraged to apply. In order to learn more about this important partnership, please visit The Consortium website.
Applicants to The Consortium must apply through The Consortium’s common application that allows candidates to apply to up to six member schools for both admission and a Consortium Fellowship that covers full tuition and mandatory fees. In order to learn more about eligibility and to access the application, please visit the Prospective Students section of the Consortium website.
To schedule an appointment, please contact marshallmba@marshall.usc.edu
For Consortium applicants only: Please complete the the Test Waiver Request Form to be considered for a test waiver. For the required essay, please submit a brief statement that summarizes why you believe you qualify for a test waiver.
Connect with Consortium Liaisons
Connect directly with a current Consortium Liaison below and learn more about DEI AT MARSHALL.
Reese has 10+ years of experience across multiple industries including Manufacturing, Bio-Tech, and Financial Services. She held several positions within Information Security, Internal Audit, and Program Management prior to joining USC Marshall School of Business. Reese is a nonprofit Board Member and mentor who is passionate about servant leadership and corporate social responsibility. In the summer of 2023, she will join Liberty Mutual Insurance as a Corporate Leadership Development Program Intern. Excited about expanding the Trojan Family, Reese takes pride in being a committed resource to candidates along their business school journey.
Sami Khan obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside in 2018. With a strong passion for operations, he assumed various leadership roles such as Production Supervisor, Materials Analyst, and Manufacturing Engineer in the Electronics and Pharmaceutical industries. These roles have given him opportunities to lead teams as large as 25 employees and have allowed him to hone his interpersonal and organizational skills. Currently, Sami is set to join PepsiCo’s Chicago office as a Strategic Finance intern, where he is expected to leverage his skills and knowledge in operations and finance to drive value and growth for the organization. Outside of his professional pursuits, Sami is an avid snowboarder, basketball player, golfer, weightlifter, and practitioner of hot yoga.
Diego is a first-generation Mexican American passionate about advancing racial diversity in the workplace. Prior to USC Marshall he co-founded two businesses and worked at Robinhood as a broker. He is also the father of a toddler boy. He will be interning at Amazon as a Product Manager. Diego enjoys and looks forward to connecting with prospective students interested in joining the Trojan family.
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Information Sessions
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In-Person Class Visits
Class visits will resume October 2023.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General
Each year we enroll approximately 200 students for the Full-Time MBA Program.
The MBA Student Ambassador Program provides you with opportunity to meet current students on campus. Read their bios and contact them with your questions.
We are not able to provide specific feedback on your application in person or over the phone. We encourage you to review the MBA Class Profile section above and to get some external feedback from a colleague or friend.
Scholarships are merit-based. The Admissions Committee bases scholarship award decisions on a range of criteria, including scholastic merit, leadership, work experience and other characteristics that add value to the academic and social atmosphere of USC Marshall. Two-year awards range from $10,000 to full-tuition.
Qualifications
Work experience is not required to apply. Students with work experience generally get more out of the program and contribute to classroom discussion and team projects. Please see our class profile for the average years work experience for the entering class.
The only prerequisite is a Bachelor’s degree. College graduates from all majors are welcome to apply.
Per the Marshall School of Business MBA Admissions requirements, all applicants must have received the equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. While it is possible for some universities to provide an equivalent 4-year degree in only 3 years, USC cannot make any determinations to an applicant’s eligibility until a completed application is received.
For this reason, it is up to each individual applicant to determine whether they would like to apply even with the possibility that their degree might make them ineligible for the USC Marshall School of Business MBA Program.
Yes, you eligible to apply. In the application, be sure to explain why you are pursuing a second MBA.
Admissions + Interview Process
We use a holistic approach. No one section is worth more than another.
Yes, but be sure to provide test dates on your application and submit test results to MBA Admissions by no later than 2 weeks after an application round deadline, to be considered part of that round. However, we do reserve the right to make a decision based on the application you submitted.
Apply when you feel your application is strongest. However, international students are encouraged to submit their application by round 3, to ensure there is enough time to process the I-20, should they be admitted.
No. Interviews are by invitation only. We will contact you, if we want to interview you.
If the USC campus is open when you are asked to interview, consider visiting Los Angeles. It’s the best way to learn more about the Full-Time MBA Program, USC Marshall, and Los Angeles.
If you do not live in the area or are not able to travel to Los Angeles, you can be interviewed via video conference. Interviews are also conducted in other locations around the world.
In person and virtual interviews hold the same weight and will not affect admissions decisions.
Interviews will be conducted by a members of the Admissions Committee or by a current MBA student. Interviews typically last between 30-45 minutes.
Transcripts / GPA
USC requires both the original transcript and a translated copy.
During the application process, you can upload unofficial transcripts. However, positive admissions decisions will not be made until official transcripts and degree certificate have been received and evaluated by the USC Graduate Admissions Office.
There is no minimum GPA. View the Class Profile section above to see the average GPA based on a 4.0 scale. On the application, enter your GPA based on the GPA scale at your university. Graduate Admissions will provide MBA Admissions with an estimate based on a 4.0 scale.
Test Scores
No. View the Class Profile section above to see average test scores.
We accept both and do not have a preference.
In such cases, you should submit both test scores. We will consider your most favorable test score in our assessment.
Your test score is valid for 5 years. It should have been taken on or after August 1, 2019.
During the application process, you can upload an unofficial test score report. However, positive admissions decisions will not be made until your test score has been received by the USC Graduate Admissions Office.
International applicants (those who are not U.S. citizens or not U.S. permanent residents) whose native language is not English must submit at least one of these test score reports.
Marshall, however, does not require the submission of English Proficiency Exam scores by international applicants for the Full-Time MBA program who hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety at an officially recognized non-U.S. university in which English is the language of instruction.
GMAT 389-9C-23
GRE 4852
TOEFL 4852
IETLS Choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs”
Test Waiver Requests
For the 2023-24 admissions cycle, the Full-Time MBA Program is providing candidates the option of submitting a standardized test (GMAT or GRE) waiver request.
Standardized tests provide the Admissions Committee with some evidence of a candidate’s ability (quantitative, verbal, and analytical) to perform academically in the MBA core curriculum. Test scores also serve to provide an indication of English language capability. Therefore, the basis for your waiver request – and your response to the Test Waiver Request Essay – should be grounded in a record of exceptional academic achievement that includes demonstrated mathematical preparedness. While professional experience can be included as a component of the waiver request, the Admissions Committee will most strongly consider two elements: 1) overall academic achievement; and 2) performance in quantitative coursework.
It is our belief that most applicants should submit a standardized test score as part of the application process. That said, some candidates may be able to demonstrate exceptional academic proficiency (quantitative, verbal, and analytical) in other ways. It is important that you review the most recent class profile to get an understanding of the competitiveness of the application process.
With the exception of candidates who are applying through The Consortium, only candidates who have applied to the program can submit a waiver request. The process requires two steps (Please note that failure to complete both steps may result in a deny decision.):
Step #1 – Submit a complete application that includes a résumé, all academic transcripts, and a response to the Test Waiver Request Essay (included in the application). In addition, you should respond affirmatively to the question in the application that asks if you are submitting a test waiver request.
Step #2 – Once you have submitted your application, please email FTtestwaiver@marshall.usc.edu to alert us of your submission. The subject line should read “Test Waiver Request – Application Submitted.” Please include your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and USC CAS ID# (located in the top right corner of your online application) in the email, so that we can easily locate your file.
Within 25 business days of our receipt of your email (see Step #2 in the preceding question), you will receive an email from the Admissions Office to let you know if the test waiver has been granted or not.
If you are granted a test waiver, we will proceed with the review of your application and provide you with a decision within the notification dates published on the admissions website.
If you are not granted a test waiver, you must submit either the GMAT or GRE before the Admissions Committee will review your application for a final decision. The email that you receive from us will provide you with additional details. You will have the option to withdraw from consideration or continue in the process, subject to receipt of test scores. Since your application will be fully assessed only after you have submitted test scores, this may alter the admissions round in which you are considered.
No. All test waiver decisions are final and not subject to an appeals process. In addition, a test waiver can only be requested once per admissions cycle.
If you receive a test waiver, your chances for admission will not be negatively impacted. Keep in mind, however, that your candidacy is assessed against all other applicants to the program. Standardized tests provide the Admissions Committee with relevant information. A lack of a standardized test score means that all other elements of your application will take on a heightened significance.
Yes. All admitted students will be reviewed for scholarship opportunities at the point of admission. While standardized test score serve as one additional data point in our admissions and scholarship decisions, if you receive a test waiver, your chances for a scholarship will not be negatively impacted.
No.
No. The test waiver request process is treated independently of the admissions decision. Denial of a waiver request simply means that we require a standardized test to make a full assessment of your candidacy for the program. All applications are reviewed holistically, and there are a multitude of factors that play a role in the ultimate admissions decision.
No. The test waiver request process is treated independently of the admissions decision. A test waiver simply means that we do not require that data point to make an assessment of your candidacy for the program. All applications are reviewed holistically, and there are a multitude of factors that play a role in the ultimate admissions decision.
A small number of employers may request standardized test scores as part of their recruiting process.
No. The waiver option only applies to GMAT or GRE waiver requests. The rules associated with the English Proficiency exam requirement can be found here.
International Applicants
Some of our Student Ambassadors are international students. Any student ambassador will be happy to connect you with a current international student from your home country.
Since USC is a private university, the tuition costs are the same for domestic and international students. Estimated tuition, fees and living expenses can be found in the Tuition & Fees section above.
USC Marshall scholarships are open to both domestic and international students. There is no separate application.
USC does not provide loans to international students. Foreign citizens can apply for a private loan with a creditworthy U.S. or permanent resident co-borrower only. There are some financial institutions which provide loans without a co-signer.
I-20’s are issued after you have submitted your Intent to Enroll and all required documents have been received by the USC I-20 Processing Office. (Allow 3 weeks for the I-20 to be processed, beginning March 1)
Financial documentation is not required to submit at the time of application or for the MBA Admissions Committee to make a decision. However, it is required for you to obtain your I-20, should you be admitted.
You do not need to complete this process as part of the admissions process, but it must be completed before you finish your first semester at USC Marshall.
Shortly after you are admitted to USC Marshall School of Business you will receive a USC Marshall School of Business International Student Welcome Guide, designed to answer many of the frequently asked questions by incoming international MBA students.
In the meantime, you are welcome to explore the information and services offered through the USC Office of International Services. This office provides orientation programs and continuing support services for all USC international students and their dependents. Specially trained professional counselors and student peer counselors are available to advise you about immigration regulations, academic progress, financial concerns, housing and adjusting to life in the United States. Year-round social and cultural activities are also sponsored through this office. For information, contact (213) 740-2666, or visit ois.usc.edu