One-Year MBA (IBEAR) Admissions

GMAT/ GRE/ EA Testing Requirements for 2024-25 Admissions Cycle

An applicant can submit a request to waive the GMAT/GRE/EA test requirement. Only applicants who have completed an application may request a waiver. In order to make the request, please use the Test Waiver Request Essay on the application to describe your rationale and make a compelling case for the request. Upon submission of your application, please email IBEARMBAadmissions@marshall.usc.edu to alert us of your submission*. The subject line on the email should read: “Request for Test Waiver – Application Submitted.” We will review your case and respond by email to your request for the waiver within 10 business days. Finally, you should review and consider the following guidelines before making the request:

Standardized tests provide the Admissions Committee with evidence of a candidate’s ability to perform academically. The basis for your waiver request 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 applicant.

In the absence of a GRE/GMAT/EA score, in addition to completing the Test Waiver essay, please be prepared to demonstrate in your application one or more of the following:

- A strong undergraduate and/or graduate record in analytical coursework or disciplines

- CPA or CFA certifications

- Master's or advanced degree in an analytical discipline

- Certificate courses completed in an analytical discipline

- Extensive practical work experience in an analytical field

- A recent (valid or expired) GRE, GMAT or EA score

* Please include your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and CAS ID# (located in the top right corner of your online application) in the email, so that we can easily locate your file.

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 Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

You can also mail your transcripts to the MBA Admissions office at:

USC Marshall School of Business
MBA Admissions
630 Childs Way, JKP 308
Los Angeles, CA 90089-02633
Tel: 213-740-7846
IBEARMBAadmissions@marshall.usc.edu

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 by USC.

Participant Profile

Average Class Size: 55

Number of Countries Represented: 12-15

Median GMAT: 630

Average Age: 36

Average Years Work Experience: 12

Advanced Degrees: 30%

Married Students: 60%

Undergraduate Majors

Business: 25%

Science & Engineering: 40%

Humanities & Social Studies: 20%

Economics: 10%

Computer Science: 5%

Pre-MBA Career Industries

High Tech / Engineering: 20%

Financial Services / Banking: 20%

Consulting: 10%

Consumer Services / CPG: 35%

Other: 15%

Participants By Region (Typical Class)

Asia: 65%

North America: 15%

Latin America: 15%

Other: 5%

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.

We require one letter of recommendation. Your letter of recommendation is used as a gauge of your professional achievements and managerial potential. We prefer that your 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 letter of recommendation must be submitted online.

Interviews are a mandatory part of the iMBA admission process. All shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview either in person or via Zoom.

All international applicants who have not earned 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), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. The Duolingo language test is not accepted at USC.

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

To apply to the 2024 Summer Intensive English Program, download the application and send it, along with supporting documents to EMAIL.

Download the 2024 Summer IEP Application.

Some students may receive an admission to the iMBA program that is conditional upon them attending USC’s Summer Intensive English Program. If you required to enroll in this program, you will need to submit an application to the USC International Academy.

This application for the Summer Intensive English Program must be sent directly to the USC International Academy and not to the IBEAR MBA Program.

Download the 2024 Summer IEP Application.

One-Year MBA 46 (2023-24) TUITION & FEES INFORMATION:
(The following is the estimated cost for the current class. Rates for 2024-2025 will be announced in spring 2024.)

Estimated total for Tuition, Program fee, IELP & other mandatory fees is $139,222.

Tuition Fee: $127,872

Program Fee: $6,000

IELP Fee: $3,850 (International Experiential Learning Program)

Other Mandatory Fees: $1,500 (includes USC central services & Student Health Center fees)

Note: All students are required to have health insurance, whether through the university plan or through another insurance provider. Students are automatically enrolled for the USC Student Health Insurance Plan upon registration each academic year–unless they show proof of another insurance plan, and the waiver is submitted by the deadline.

The preliminary estimate is $2,700 if you are required to purchase USC Health Insurance.

One-Year MBA (IBEAR) provides merit scholarships for highly-qualified international and U.S. applicants. Scholarship decisions are based on academic and leadership potential. Scholarship recipients demonstrate very strong academic performance, consistently high test scores, as well as a strong career trajectory. They are expected to be leaders in the iMBA program. The amount awarded is contingent on the qualifications of the applicant. Only self-sponsored applicants are eligible.

One-Year MBA Global Business Fellow awards tuition scholarships to high potential self-sponsored international and U.S. Candidates.

Hanjin/Korean Air Scholarship: One or two partial tuition awards to a Korean national or Korean-American or to self-sponsored participants focused on a career in global supply chain/logistics.

Honjo Foundation/Jack G. Lewis Scholarship: One partial tuition award to self-sponsored participants of Japanese heritage.

TAMBA (Thohir Marshall MBA) & SAMBA (Soeryadjaya Marshall MBA) Scholarships provide two scholarships to exceptional candidates from Indonesia. Scholarships include full tuition and living allowance. For more information, click HERE.

Three types of loans are available to finance your MBA — Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans and private student loans. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, we recommend that you apply for Federal Stafford Loans first, because they offer favorable interest rates and origination fees. International students are not eligible for the Federal Stafford loan program. International students often obtain loans from private lenders, which they approach and work with directly.

Federal Stafford Loan. There are two types, subsidized and unsubsidized. For subsidized Stafford Loans, the federal government pays the interest while you are in school and during authorized deferment and grace periods. For the unsubsidized Stafford Loans, deferred interest is capitalized (added to the principal) at repayment. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid.fafsa.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Graduate and professional students may wish to consider this low-interest, credit -based federal loan to cover their expenses. You must first exhaust your full Federal Stafford Loan eligibility to be considered for this loan.

Private Loan. Private loans are available to both domestic and international applicants. You should be aware that interest rates and fees vary significantly among lending institutions. International applicants may be required to have a U.S. citizen co-sign the loan.

You may plan to pay online, by check, or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to USC and sent to the IBEAR MBA Program.

In-person
If you wish to pay in-person, please go to the Cashier's Office. They accept the following payment methods:

Cash (in U.S. dollars only)
Make check, money order or cashier's check payable to University of Southern California. Must be in U.S. Dollars only.

* The USC Cashier's Office is located in the USC Credit Union branch at Student Union Room 106 (facing the Tutor Campus Center)

Contact Person/Office
USC Credit Union
Student Union, 106

Mail
For payments by mail, USC accepts the following payment methods:

Domestic checks/drafts (drawn on US banks)
Please be sure to write your 9-digit student ID number and your full name, exactly as shown on your USC card, to insure that your payment is credited to the proper account.

To prevent late fees, your mail payment must arrive by USC's tuition settlement deadline.

Contact Person/Office
Please send your payment (in US $) to:
USC Cashier's Office
620 W.McCarthy Way, Suite 21,
Los Angeles, CA 90089

Wire Transfer:
For more information, visit the Student Financial Services / Wire Transfer website: https://sfs.usc.edu/payment/wire-transfers/. 

Pay Online:
USC e.pay is the university's secure electronic service for managing your student account. it offers the fastest and simplest form of payment. To set up e.pay visit: https://sfs.usc.edu/epay/.

Company Sponsored Students:
If you are sponsored by a company or government agency, contact USC Agency Billing as soon as possible to make payment arrangements. Visit USC Agency Billing website: https://sfs.usc.edu/agency/.