USC Marshall 2010 MBA Essay Questions
My comments, virtually identical to those from last year, are in red:
1) Describe in a brief essay (do not exceed 250 words per section – 750 words maximum):
a) your post-MBA short-term goals (immediately after graduation),
b) your post-MBA long-term goals (3-5 years after graduation),
c) how your professional experience, when combined with an MBA degree, will
enable you to achieve these goals.
This is a straight-forward goals question with a little more guidance on length than most schools give. As always with this type of question, connect the dots. Let’s the reader see that your goals stem organically from your experience and are achievable given your experience and an MBA from Marshall.
2) Complete one of the following three statements. Do not exceed 250 words.
a) “My most significant accomplishment to date is…”
b) “People may be surprised to learn that I…”
c) “I am considered a leader because…”
Take a step back and look at the application as a whole. How are you going to answer #3. You want #2 to complement #1 and #3, bringing out aspects of your experience, personality and background not found in other parts of your application. Before you choose a topic, look at the question strategically. Then pick the topic that adds the most to your application and that excites you the most..
3) Answer two of the following questions. Do not exceed 500 words per question.
a) The Marshall MBA Prime Program prepares students for doing business in a global
economy. Describe a cross-cultural experience that challenged you. How did you meet this challenge and what did you learn from this experience?
b) USC has garnered national acclaim for its emphasis on community outreach and
service. How have you impacted your community?
c) We all experience significant events or milestones that influence the course of our
lives. Briefly describe such an event and how it affected you.
This question gives you a little more direction than #2. But not a lot. In these last two questions, USC is giving you lots of room to present yourself in the best light. For #3, if international experience is your strong suit, answer a; if community service is your middle name, respond to b. If you have another event or experience you wish to shine a spotlight on, go with c. Choose the two that present you at your best.
4) Optional Essay: Please add any additional information that you would like the
Admissions Committee to consider in evaluating your application. Do not exceed 250
words.
Please see “The Optional Essay: To Be or Not to Be” .
For Re-Applicants Only:
If you have applied within the past two years, you are required to submit only one essay.
Describe any significant professional, personal, or academic growth since your last
application to the USC Marshall School of Business. Discuss your specific professional
goals and how the USC Marshall MBA will help you to achieve these goals. Do not
exceed 500 words.
Show that you have grown since your last application. Reveal that you have addressed weaknesses. Demonstrate increased leadership. Present evidence that you have improved enormously since your last application. For more information, please see:
For one-on-one guidance through the Marshall application process, please check out Accepted.com’s USC Marshall Application Package or our other MBA essay editing and consulting assistance.
USC Marshall 2010 MBA Deadlines
All application materials including official score reports must be received by the deadline at 12:00 AM Pacific Standard Time.
| Round | Deadline | Notification |
| 1 | November 1, 2009 | February 1, 2010 |
| 2 | January 15, 2010 | April 1, 2010 |
| 3 | March 15, 2010 | May 15, 2010 |
Applications are considered for one of the specific rounds listed above. Each applicant may only apply once a year. Since space is limited, we encourage you to apply early.
- The recommended deadline for international students and students who want to be considered for a fellowship is January 15, 2010.
- Notification dates may vary for international and dual degree candidates.
- All decisions are posted on the Apply Yourself online application.
Read the full article: USC Marshall 2010 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips