The USC Marshall School of Business reflects the diversity and dynamism of the Los Angeles region. As a result, the USC Marshall application essays provide you the opportunity to demonstrate how you might fit into their community.
“What matters most to us is our learning community and how, through collaboration, we grow and learn together to collectively strengthen the Trojan Family,” says Assistant Dean and Director Evan Bouffides.
So let us simplify things for you. The admissions office wants to know about you as a person, which is why community is so important in this application. According to Bouffides, USC does not believe in the concept of the "perfect" or "ideal" candidate. In fact, there are more unusual candidates than conventional candidates, and everyone has a unique narrative to tell.
This is why, in order to properly appreciate and connect with USC's distinct culture, you should always conduct research and speak with current and former students.
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ESSAY #1 (REQUIRED)
What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (100 words)
You only have 100 words to answer this essay question, so you must be brief and clear. What are your next steps after you graduate? Does this fit with your resume and other materials you sent with your application?
If you're changing careers, make sure your resume highlights the skills that can be used in the new job. You could also get comments on your future goals from your recommender. As you make these proposals, be sure to stress how you will use your MBA to reach your goals.
And if your new job is a natural progression from your old one? Even if you think your career goals seem obvious, be specific about them. Give as much information as possible about the position you want.
ESSAY #2 (REQUIRED)
Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” This letter serves as your personal statement that provides the Admissions Committee with an understanding of your candidacy for Marshall beyond what is evident in other parts of your application.
This essay is purposely open-ended. You are free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. The goal is to have an appreciation for and an understanding of each candidate in ways that are not captured by test scores, grades, and resumes. (600 words)
In this essay for USC Marshall, it's important to show who you are as a person. With your answer, you can show that you know what USC is all about and what it stands for.
Think about what you need to say in this essay to show all sides of your candidacy. The committee that decides who gets in has already looked at your stats, GPA, test scores, and transcripts. They look at your resume and your letter of recommendation. In this essay, you can fill in all the blanks and color in the whole picture.
For example, if you have a typical work history, you could talk about something interesting about yourself. You might have an interesting hobby, have made a difference in your community, or have a unique family history.
You could also tell the admissions committee about how much you want to learn as part of your application. If you want to work with a certain professor, this could be a chance to talk about their work and how it's influenced you. Or, you might want to join or lead a club or community project which is not clear from the rest of your application.
ESSAY #3 (OPTIONAL)
Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (250 words)
This section of the application allows you to provide additional information or address any issues you may have. As a result, whether you have a poor GPA, a grade lower than a C in a quantitative field, a gap in employment, or any other difficulty in your background, this is the place to explain it.
This essay, on the other hand, permits you to highlight anything else about your career trajectory, experience, or personal history. And, if you need to explain something, make it clear what happened and what you've done to rectify or solve the problem. To make the best impression, think positively about the future. Make no excuses; simply tell the situation.