Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) Admissions

You must upload scanned copies of official transcripts to the online application. Please note that these must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Print-outs from online student portals, screenshots, and photographs of transcripts are not acceptable.

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 directly sent to the address provided below.

If sending your transcripts via regular mail or courier service, 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

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 are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from USC Marshall help you achieve those goals? Short-term career goals should be those you want to achieve within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (word limit: 400)

Essay #2 (Required) - In the USC Marshall MBA Program, teamwork is essential to success. Please share an example of a time when you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a personal or professional goal. (word limit: 400)

Essay #3 (Optional) - We realize that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories, and we’d like to recognize each individual’s unique qualities and experiences. Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your candidacy for the MBA program. (word limit: 500)

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:

• USC medical students who are applying to the MD/MBA dual degree program
• Applicants who have been granted a test waiver

These tests must have been taken on or after August 1, 2020. 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 – International applicants (those who are not U.S. citizens or not U.S. permanent residents) must submit at least one of these test score reports (upload official copy of score report to application and send directly through testing service), except for those who satisfy requirements listed under the GRADUATE ADMISSIONS ENGLISH-LANGUAGE TEST WAIVER POLICY.

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:

• GMAT: 389-9C-23
• GRE: 4852
• TOEFL: 4852
• IELTS: Choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs.” Do not enter the name and contact information of your specific intended graduate department. USC will only accept electronic IELTS scores. Paper scores are not considered official.

USC Marshall MBA Test Waiver Policy

• This program allows applicants to request a waiver for standardized tests (GMAT or GRE). To request a waiver, submit your application and explain your rationale using the Test Waiver Request Text Box. Test waiver requests will be evaluated based on academic performance, with a strong emphasis on achievement in quantitative coursework (business, economics, sciences, technology, engineering, math, etc.). Professional experience can be included in the waiver request but is secondary to academic achievement and quantitative coursework performance.

Additional Guidelines:

• Transcripts must be uploaded into the application to be considered for a waiver.
• Waivers are granted case-by-case and are final.
• Approval of a waiver request does not guarantee admission.
• Test waiver decisions will be emailed to applicants within 15 business days from the time application is submitted.
• Test scores will not be considered in the admissions decision if a waiver is approved.

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 (based on 2024-2025 tuition rates and fees)
Tuition: $79,893
Fees: USC Central Services and Health Fees: $1,636
MBA Program Fees: $1,350

PRIME Fee: $3,850

Books/Supplies: $2,376
Total Living Expenses: $29,140

Student Health Insurance: $3,040

*Domestic Students only – Loan fees: $1,637

 
Total Cost: $122,922

* For those domestic students who choose to take our loans

SECOND-YEAR (based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees)
Tuition : $72,630
Fees: USC Central Services and Health Fees: $1,636
MBA Program Fees: $400
Books/Supplies: $1,200
Total Living Expenses: $26,226

Student Health Insurance: $3,040

*Domestic Students only – Loan fees: $1,637

 
Total Cost: $106,769

* For those domestic students who choose to take our loans

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 four additional scholarship opportunities that exist:

Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) Fellowships

Candidates who demonstrate commitment to The Consortium mission of enhancing diversity & inclusion in global business can apply for both Consortium membership and an MBA Fellowship. Candidates applying through The Consortium should apply for the Marshall MBA Program directly through this organization.

To learn more, please visit cgsm.org or reach out to our staff liaison, Nirav Mehta, at niravmeh@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:

1) Candidate must have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces

2) Candidate must have served at least three years of continuous, full-time activity duty in the last 10 years.

For more information, please reach out to our Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions, Camillia Lee, at camillil@usc.edu.

ROMBA (Reaching Out MBA)

Candidates who provide evidence of demonstrated leadership in the LGBTQ+ community on their application and who complete the ROMBA Fellowship Interest Form are considered for these fellowships. For more information, please visit reachingoutmba.org or reach out to our staff liaison, Nirav Mehta, at niravmeh@marshall.usc.edu.

FORTE FOUNDATION: More Women Leading

Forté Fellowships are prestigious, competitive awards that are recognized within the business school community and beyond. Forté Fellows exhibit exemplary leadership, represent diverse backgrounds, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing women in business. All women applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship opportunity. For more information about Forte, please visit fortefoundation.org or contact our Forte Student Ambassador, Rachel Hirsch at rachel.hirsch.2025@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.

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 U.S. citizens (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%

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:

• You hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety in the United States or at an officially recognized non-U.S. university in which English is the language of instruction.

OR

• Your native language is English – This applies to native English speakers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec), where English is the only official language of the country.

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 gradadmissions@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.