Frequently Asked Questions

We have approximately 450 Full time students. This fall, 2019, we enrolled 214 students.  First year students are divided into cohorts of approximately 75 and take their core classes as a group during the first semester, except for the capstone consulting project.

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 page 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.

Work experience is not required to apply, but on average, the Fall 2020 entering class had 5 years of work experience. Students with work experience generally get more out of the program and contribute to classroom discussion and team projects.

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.

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.

Due to Covid-19, the USC campus is closed to visitors. All interviews will be held virtually until further notice.

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.

Fee waivers are provided to prospective applicants the MBA Admissions team meets on the road at an admissions fair or on campus through our campus visit program.

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 page 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.      

No. View the Class Profile site to see average test scores.

We accept both.

Submit both test scores. We’ll accept your highest score of all valid tests.

Your test score should be valid for 5 years. It should have been taken on or before August 1, 2015.

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”

Approximately 22% of the Fall 2020 entering class are international students. In Fall 2019, approximately 32% of the USC students were international.

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 here.

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.       

On campus for international students is limited. If you would like to live on campus, you must apply as soon as possible, beginning February 1, 2021. For more information about on-campus housing options, visit the USC Housing website

Last updated: August 9, 2019

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