USC Marshall 2010 MBA Essay Questions

USC recently updated their essay questions. My comments are in red:

1) What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will USC Marshall help you achieve these goals? (750 words) If interested in a dual-degree program, please address in this essay.

This is a straight-forward goals question. As always with this type of question, connect the dots. Let's the reader see that your goals grow organically from your experience and are achievable given your experience and an MBA from Marshall.

2) How will other USC Marshall MBA students benefit from your background, experience, leadership and teamwork skills? (500 words)

What can you contribute to your class? Where at Marshall do you want to contribute. In which clubs and organizations do you want to invest your talents?

I suggest you choose 1-3 examples from your past where you contributed to your school, club, church, or company and show how the very qualities you utilized then you intend to use at Marshall. Is Social Enterprise calling your name? Then perhaps Marshall Net Impact is where you intend to have impact? Perhaps you are a vet. Can you contribute to the Marshall Military Veterans Association. How will you contribute? 

3) Select three from the following and describe: (250 words each)
  a) A challenging international experience
  b) A personal or professional setback
  c) An entrepreneur you admire
  d) Your family, including any ties to USC
  e) Your most significant accomplishment
  f) A situation where your professional ethics were challenged

New. The first issue you must address when looking at #3: "Which three do you choose?". Answer: the three that, when combined with your required essays, allow you to present the most impressive, textured, and comprehensive picture of you. Try to present experiences that are from different areas of your life.

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 applied within the past two years, please answer the following:
1) What steps have you taken to strengthen your application since your last submission?
2) Select two from the following and describe: (250 words each)
  a) A challenging international experience
  b) A personal or professional setback
  c) An entrepreneur you admire
  d) Your family, including any ties to USC
  e) Your most significant accomplishment
  f) A situation where your professional ethics were challenged

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:

• Take 2: How to Reapply Right to Business School
• Re-applicants

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.

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.