USC Full-Time MBA FAQ

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Application Process
What are the application requirements for the Full-Time MBA program?


Four-year bachelor's degree, or equivalent
Completed application
Official academic transcripts
Letters of recommendation
Professional résumé
Official test scores (GMAT and TOEFL or PTE Academic, if applicable)
Application fee


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What are the application deadlines?
Round One November 1
Round Two January 15
Round Three March 15


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Does my undergraduate degree need to be in business?
No. USC Marshall recruits and admits individuals from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds.

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Are there any minimum requirements?
While we have no minimum requirements for admission, the applicant pool is highly competitive.

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Can I take the GMAT more than once? How long are GMAT, TOEFL or PTE Academic scores valid?
Yes, you can take the GMAT more than once. The Admissions Committee will consider the highest score. GMAT scores are valid for five years. TOEFL and PTE Academic scores are valid for two years.

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Can I apply to a part-time USC Marshall MBA program and the Full-Time MBA program in the same year, or move from one program to another?
Each of USC Marshall’s five MBA programs is entirely separate from the others. You must apply for admission to one program only. To receive your MBA degree, you must complete the program to which you were accepted. Because of differences in the programs’ course work and structure, we do not allow students to move from one program to another at any time.

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Do you offer dual-degree programs?
USC Marshall and other USC schools and departments offer several dual-degree programs. To be a dual-degree candidate, you must follow the dual-degree program’s admissions process and be offered admission to both schools/departments. For additional information, consult the USC Catalogue.

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Is it possible to receive a Full-Time MBA from USC Marshall if I have already earned an MBA?
If you have already earned an MBA, USC Marshall recommends the Master’s of Science in Business Administration program. The 26-unit MSBA degree enables you to pursue further study in an area of specialization not thoroughly explored during the course of an MBA.

To be eligible, you must have an MBA degree from an institution accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The MSBA degree may be completed on either a full- or part-time basis. Classes applicable to the degree are offered during daytime and evening hours. For more information, visit MSBA Admissions.

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Can I visit the campus to get more information about the Full-Time MBA program?
Yes, we encourage you to visit. Please see Visiting USC Marshall for details.

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How can I arrange for an interview?
Interviews are conducted only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified via e-mail.

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Financing the MBA
What is the cost of attending?
The estimated cost of attending the USC Marshall MBA Program is $77,000. This amount includes tuition and fees ($55,000) and estimated living expenses of $22,000 for the nine-month academic year. Please be aware that living expenses can vary greatly, depending on where in Los Angeles you live and your choice of accommodation (in shared housing or on your own).

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How do I apply for USC Marshall fellowships?
All applicants are considered for fellowship opportunities. Fellowships are merit-based and typically range from half- to full-tuition remission. There is no separate application process for these awards. Second-year MBA students who did not receive an award during their first year may apply for a limited number of half-tuition fellowships. This fellowship is based on first-year academic performance and contributions to the Marshall community.

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May international students apply for a Stafford loan?
No, international students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid, which includes Stafford and Perkins loans. However, international students may qualify for private loans if they have a U.S. co-signer.

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After You Have Applied
What is your policy on deferred admission?
Students who are admitted to USC Marshall but choose to not attend for whatever reason will not be deferred to the following academic year. You must reapply for admission. If you have submitted an application within the past two years, you are required to submit only the following application materials:

Completed application for admission
Essays (two required, one optional)
One new letter of recommendation
Official transcripts
Official score reports for any tests (GMAT, TOEFL, PTE Academic) taken since your last application
An updated professional résumé
Application fee of $150.00
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If I am not accepted, can I get feedback on my application?
Members of the Admissions Committee will offer counseling sessions in September to students who have been denied admission. To schedule a counseling appointment, please call the Admissions Office at (213) 740-7846.

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If I am not accepted at one of the three application periods, can my application be reconsidered later the same year?

Students denied admission in any round of the application process must wait until the following academic year to reapply. See the answer to the question, “What is your policy on deferred admission?” for more information.

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What is PRIME?
PRIME, which stands for Pacific Rim International Management Education, is a requirement for all full-time first-year MBA Marshall students. This innovative course begins with an intensive five-week-long exploration of the social, cultural and political environment of business and management practices in the Pacific Rim.

During the spring term, the PRIME project teams travel abroad for 10 days and make an on-site presentation to a corporate client. Visits to select domestic and multinational companies and government institutions allow students to compare and contrast the region's businesses, industries, markets, trade practices and policies with those of the United States.