USC Marshall Business School Interview
How important is a GMAT score
and what advice do you have for applicants who struggled
with this exam?
Applicants should present a
score that is reflective of their best efforts on this exam.
Applicants who fall below this range need to highlight other
strengths in their application such as demonstrated
leadership, teamwork and work experience.
What was the GMAT score range
for admitted applicants last year?
Our 80th
percentile range was 640-730. Our median score has been 690
for the past two entering classes.
How important is the
interview in the admissions process and what specific
applicant traits are you using the interview to gauge?
Though interviews are not
required, they are a welcome opportunity for both the
applicant and for the school to share information that is
not readily obtained from an application or from a brochure.
The interview should be prepared for like a job interview.
We attempt to assess presentation skills, leadership traits,
and self-confidence as well as energy and enthusiasm.
What types of questions
should applicants expect to be asked in the interview?
Applicants should be prepared
to address questions about their motivation, influential
mentors, past experiences and future goals. They should also
be well versed on their resumes.
Are these interviews
conducted blind or is the applicant's file reviewed
beforehand?
Interviews are by invitation
only, so that we do have an opportunity to review the file
beforehand.
How helpful do applicants
generally find a campus visit?
A campus visit has proven to
be very helpful to our entering classes. Campus visits
provide applicants with the opportunity not only to see the
facilities but to also engage with the current students and
faculty.
Do you have any special
instructions or advice for applicants who wish to visit the
business school's campus?
Applicants should contact the
admissions office prior to visiting at 213-740-7846. Prior
notification allows us to set up a class visit and arrange a
tour with our student MBA Ambassadors.
Does your Admissions
Department provide profile feedback for individuals
considering the MBA program?
We provide on campus
information sessions throughout the academic year for
applicants to visit our campus, meet our students and sit in
on an MBA class. For people who are unsuccessful in the
admissions process, we provide feedback in the fall for
those interested in reapplying to our program.
How are re-applicants viewed
by Marshall and what do they need to do to be successful the
second time around?
Reapplications are viewed
positively. We expect that our feedback after the last
application allow reapplicants to better present themselves
in the subsequent attempt for admission into our program.
Describe how the financial
aid process works and what admitted students can expect in
terms of scholarships, assistantships, and loan guarantees.
No additional application is
necessary for financial consideration. All applicants are
considered for merit-based fellowships that assist them
with the cost of tuition. There is also additional aid in
the second-year that can be applied for in the form of
assistantships and fellowships. In addition, most of our
students also assume loans to help with the cost of
attending the MBA program.
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