USC / Marshall MBA News

Get the latest MBA news from USC / Marshall.

Published: February 5, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.

In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and board, program fees, books and supplies, health insurance, transportation and other expenses, have been added to provide the total cost of an MBA in the U.S. by year. Most business schools provide a breakdown of the expenses, which are posted under the financial aid or admissions section of their websites. Schools also typically take the total cost of attendance into account Read more

Published: January 31, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Class Size of Top U.S. MBA Programs

Business schools come in all shapes and sizes and the class size of top MBA programs can be a factor in considering fit. From networking to a tight-knit culture to campus opportunities, class size can reveal much about an MBA program. No matter which program you choose, the top MBA programs strive to ensure relationship building during full-time b-school life. Some larger programs, such as Harvard Business School and CBS, mainly break the student body down into cohorts/sections/clusters of dozens of students. Other U.S. business schools, like Wharton, also have Learning Teams, groups of 5-6 students who Read more

Published: December 31, 2023

The Week Ahead: MBA Admissions Deadlines, January 1-5, 2024

Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 2 gets underway. Round 2 application deadlines come thick and fast at the beginning of the New Year! Wednesday, January 3, Harvard and London Business School have their Round 2 application deadlines. Thursday, January 4, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton, Chicago / Booth, Dartmouth / Tuck, Yale SOM, Berkeley / Haas, UVA / Darden, UCLA / Anderson, Georgetown / McDonough, Washington / Foster have their Round 2 application deadlines. Friday, January 5, Columbia, Texas / Read more

Published: December 17, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom

Good interview experience; adcom didn’t throw many tricky questions my way. 1. How did you learn about USC Marshall? 2. Tell me about yourself. 3. Why Marshall? 4. A piece of critical feedback that you have received during your professional journey? 5. How would you set a goal and achieve it? 6. What motivates you? 7. What is success to you? And on what point you will identify yourself as being successful? 8. What strengths do you believe set you apart? 9. Any Qs for him? Read more

Published: November 16, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Virtual

This blind interview was conducted by an admissions committee member. The interview lasted approximately 35 minutes and the questions flowed nicely. 1. How did you learn about USC Marshall? 2. Tell me about yourself. 3. Why Marshall? 4. What motivates you? 5. What inspires you? 6. What is success to you? 7. Long-term goals in 10 years? 8. How would you set a goal? 9. What makes a good leader? Follow-up: Does that mean that a bad leader is the opposite? 10. A piece of critical feedback that you have Read more

Published: November 12, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom

Followed exact format of prior USC reports, was super helpful as some of these questions differ from other interviews I’ve had: How did you learn about USC Marshall? Walk me through your resume. Why Marshall? What motivates you? What inspires you? What is success to you? Long-term goals in 10 years? How would you set a goal? A piece of critical feedback that you have received during your professional journey. Questions for him. Read more

Published: June 25, 2023

The Week Ahead: MBA Decisions, June 26-30, 2023

Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Final decisions for the season. Final decisions continue as we get closer to the end of the cycle. Wednesday, June 28, Northwestern / Kellogg is scheduled to release its Future Leaders deferred enrollment decisions. Thursday, June 29, UPenn / Wharton is scheduled to release its Moelis Advance Access deferred enrollment decisions. Friday, June 30, USC / Marshall is scheduled to release its Round 4 decisions. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for the latest “buzz” Read more

Published: May 14, 2023

The Week Ahead: MBA Decisions, May 15-19, 2023

Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Late Round Decisions Roll Out Round 3 continues as we get closer to the end of the 2022-2023 admissions cycle. Monday, May 15, USC / Marshall and IESE are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Wednesday, May 17, UCLA / Anderson is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Oxford / Saïd is scheduled to release its Stage 4 decisions. Thursday, May 18, MIT / Sloan and Yale SOM are scheduled to release their Round Read more

Published: May 8, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Zoom

They asked if they could record me for the panel to view it later. 1. Ice breaker question. 2. Asked about my current position and future career goals. 3. Asked what I would bring different to the program. 4. Asked how I would handle a situation where my group didn’t agree on something on a project or didn’t get along. 5. Asked if I gravitate toward being a leader if everyone in my group had the same personality or if I would take a back seat. 6. Asked about my time management. 7. Asked Read more

Published: May 8, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / Skype

Nicholas Britz interviewed me and it went very well. Very conversational. I think he always use the same questions and I was asked exactly the same question as other folks. 45 minutes, easy. How did you learn about USC Marshall? Walk me through your resume. Why Marshall? What motivates you? What inspires you? What is success to you? Long-term goals in 10 years? How would you set a goal? A piece of critical feedback that you have received during your professional journey. Questions for him. Overall is very friendly interview, he also told me the next steps at the end Read more

Published: March 26, 2023

The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & Decisions, March 27-31, 2023

Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 2 final decisions are coming. Round 2 decisions continue to roll out, Round 3 application deadlines are also beginning. Monday, March 27, Dartmouth / Tuck and London Business School have their Round 3 application deadlines. Tuesday, March 28, Northwestern / Kellogg is scheduled to release its Round 2 decisions. Texas / McCombs has their Round 3 application deadline. Duke / Fuqua has its Round 4 application deadline. Wednesday, March 29, Harvard is scheduled to release Read more

Published: March 14, 2023

‘Big Tech’ Jobs & Careers Remain Popular with MBA Graduates

Take a closer look at MBA graduates’ tech industry jobs placement overall and at Big Tech firms for the full-time MBA Classes of 2018 to 2022. Despite a recent decline in tech industry hiring, the technology sector continues to be a popular choice for MBA graduates because it provides them with the chance to impact a domain with a big influence on everyday life. For example, a project manager role in tech offers MBA graduates an opportunity to manage and launch the latest consumer tech brands. In addition, the top MBA programs have a strong track record Read more

Published: February 14, 2023

From B-School to MBB: Consulting Jobs Placement at Leading MBA Programs

MBA graduates continue to seek out management consulting jobs for the opportunity to provide strategic advice to business leaders operating large companies. Jobs at leading strategy consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain and BCG (MBB) are particularly coveted by business school students because these firms often provide a fast track to senior positions in large corporations. In addition, M7 business schools such as Kellogg have a particularly strong track record of MBB job placement. Management Consulting Job Placement for the MBA Class of 2022 All of the top MBA programs provide their MBA graduates with the opportunity to pursue a Read more

Published: February 1, 2023

M7 Business Schools Dominate in Venture Capital and Private Equity Fields

MBA graduates continue to be drawn to finance jobs due to the lucrative compensation packages, the chance to work on high-profile deals at investment banks, and the opportunity to invest in the next billion-dollar company at a venture capital or private equity firm. As we will see below regarding the MBA Class of 2022, the top MBA programs really deliver on finance industry placement and can accelerate finance careers. In particular, M7 business schools dominate in the buy-side job placements for venture capital, private equity, and investment management. In this analysis, we review MBA Class of 2022 Read more

Published: January 31, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom

My interviewer really set up a very chill and welcoming vibe. 1. How did you find about USC Marshall? 2. Tell me about yourself. 3. Why USC Marshall? 4. What motivates you? 5. What inspires you? 6. What’s your definition of success? When do you consider yourself successful? 7. What feedback did you get from your supervisor/peer and how did you react/learn from it? 8. Any feedback on the application process? 9. Questions for him. Overall great experience, I love how the interviewer was very encouraging and nice 🙂 Read more

Published: January 30, 2023

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom

I interviewed with a member of the admissions committee this week. I do not believe she had seen my application, only my resume. My interview lasted 30 minutes. It was not on Microsoft Teams (as noted in the interview invite), but on Zoom. Walk me through your resume. Do you oversee anyone at your current job? What leadership opportunities have you had? What do you attribute to the success of your career? Why do you want an MBA? What are your post-MBA goals? Why Marshall? What will you bring to Marshall? Have you talked to any students or alumni? What Read more

Published: January 26, 2023

Indiana University & UNC Top U.S. News 2023 Online MBA Ranking

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2023 Best Online Programs rankings, including online MBA programs. At the top of the list, two schools tied for first in online MBA programs: Indiana University–Bloomington and University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. The University of Southern California, which tied for first last year, now lands in third. The University of Florida moved one spot up to fourth place this year. The University of Washington and Carnegie Mellon University both occupy fifth place. “We see a lot of the usual suspects dominating the online MBA program ranking,” Read more

Published: January 18, 2023

2019-2022 MBA Job Placement Trends: The Rise and Fall of Tech and the Return to Consulting and Finance

In our previous article, we highlighted the decline in tech industry jobs accepted and the increase in consulting jobs accepted from the Class of 2021 to the Class of 2022 among leading full-time MBA programs. To place this observation into a larger context, we dug into the last four years of MBA career report data to see larger trends in tech, consulting and finance industry job placement. From the Class of 2019 to the Class of 2021, there was an increase in tech jobs accepted across most top MBA programs as tech industry firms grew and successfully Read more

Published: January 17, 2023

Tech Jobs are in Decline at Top MBA Programs. Is This the Canary in the Coal Mine for MBA Hiring?

MBA Class of 2022 graduates were clearly impacted by the softening in the technology sector in 2022 after the pandemic-fueled growth in tech industry jobs in 2020 and 2021. Compared to the Class of 2021, Class of 2022 graduates were offered fewer jobs in the technology industry, leading many graduates in search of other options. Fortunately, consulting firms increased hiring for the Class of 2022 to help offset the decline in tech industry hiring. Will this growth in consulting jobs last or is the decline in tech jobs an early sign of an overall MBA job market Read more

Published: January 4, 2023

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.

Published: January 1, 2023

The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines, January 2-6, 2023

Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 2 is underway. It’s the New Year, which means it’s time for the Round 2 crunch! Tuesday, January 3, Washington / Foster has their Round 2 application deadline. Wednesday, January 4, Harvard, UPenn / Wharton, Dartmouth / Tuck and UCLA / Anderson have their Round 2 application deadlines. Oxford / Saïd has their Stage 3 application deadline. Thursday, January 5, Stanford GSB, Chicago / Booth, Yale SOM, Berkeley / Haas, Duke / Fuqua, UVA / Read more

Published: December 20, 2022

Real Humans for the Holidays: Winter Snow Edition

‘Tis the holiday season and we’re bringing you a festive short series inspired by Real Humans: MBA Students, called Real Humans for the Holidays! Read what students and alumni of top MBA programs like to do during the December holidays and their advice for our readers. Scroll down to see what five MBA students chose in a “This or That” game. You can also win a gift this season by participating in the Clear Admit Giveaway on LinkedIn! Jessica Berry, Wharton MBA Class of 2024 What do you like most about the December holidays? Read more

Published: December 13, 2022

USC Marshall MBA Employment Report: Class of 2022 Declares Record Job Acceptances

The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business 2022 MBA employment report reveals that 97 percent of its MBAs reported accepting job offers within three months of graduation–the highest in Marshall’s history. The average base salary for the Marshall MBA Class of 2022 is $150,314, a near $20k jump over last year’s class. Average signing bonuses landed at $37218, compared to $29,473 for the Class of 2021. A majority of careers were school-facilitated, with nearly 82 percent reporting they received their job placement through a career center program, summer internship, school network, scheduled interviews Read more

Published: November 22, 2022

USC Marshall MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Virtual

I spoke with Laura Hartman, a member of the Admissions Committee, through Microsoft Teams. This was a blind interview so she was not the person who reviewed my application. Unlike some of the other interviews that I’ve had so far, this one was a little more formal, less conversation outside of the questions being asked. That threw me off a little bit and made me a little more nervous than I was beforehand. -Walk me through your resume. -What does your current role entail? -Why an MBA? -Why Marshall? -What leadership experience do you have? Read more

Published: October 30, 2022

Round 2 MBA Application Deadlines 2022-2023

To help you stay organized, we’ve compiled all of the Round 2 MBA application deadlines (and some Round 3 ones) all in one place. You’ll find links to our corresponding Essay Topic Analysis in the “Essay Analysis” column. School Deadline Decision Essay Analysis Application Live? INSEAD (R2 August Intake) 11/15/2022 1/20/2023 Yes Yes Indian School of Business 11/27/2022 2/2023 Yes Yes Dartmouth / Tuck 1/4/2023 3/16/2023 Yes Yes Harvard Business School 1/4/2023 3/29/2023 Read more

USC / Marshall

CLASS SIZE: 199

Women: 35%

MEAN GMAT: 722

MEAN GPA: 3.5

Livewire Decisionwire Interview Reports Essay Topic Analysis MBA Admissions Deadlines View Full Profile

MBA Applywire

November 20, 2024 9:42pm ET

Applying: Babson / Olin, , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Emory / Goizueta, Rice / Jones, Rochester / Simon, SMU Cox, UCI Merage, Washington U. / Olin

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Technology - Entrepreneurship

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship

GRE: 333

GPA: 2.56

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Lagos

Notes:

I just got rejected for WashU Olin and I have an interview invitation with Questrom. GPA continues to bother me but I addressed it in my supporting essays.

November 19, 2024 12:51pm ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Tech in government

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , McKinsey

GRE: 319

GPA: 2.9

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

I got cancer when I was undergrad that's why my undergrad GPA is low. After MBA I want to work in consulting then make a social impact in Africa through entrepreneurship

November 19, 2024 12:06pm ET

Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden

Pre-MBA Career: Wealth Management and Military

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Asset Management, inc. HF, Other Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Vanguard

GPA: 3.80

Years of Work Experience: 7

Location: San Diego

Post MBA Location: Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte

Notes:

UG Degree: BBA Financial Markets at an Accredited Institution.

Civilian Work History: 3 years as Wealth Advisor under an RIA in Minneapolis and Denver. Total AUM of ~$350-400M, served as a salaried advisor in a primary and secondary capacity. Holistic services to include investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, etc.

Military History: 4 years as a supply/logistics officer heading efforts for air/ground mobility, defense contracting, supply and procurement, and fiscal budget management while located at various bases within CONUS and multiple forward deployed locations.

Professional Certifications: Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2022) and Series 65 (2019).

November 18, 2024 12:50am ET

Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Consulting

Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase

GRE: 323

GPA: 3.32

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

Education:
- Combined Major in Economics and Statistics
- CFA Charterholder (passed all three levels on the first attempt)

Professional Experience:
- Manager at a Big 4 firm Specializing in capital projects and infrastructure, with a role similar to investment banking
- Seven years of experience, mainly in financial services in Ghana

Extracurricular Activities:
- Pro bono capital-raising services for SMEs
- Aspiring to run a full advisory firm for SMEs in the future
- CFA exam coaching and tutorial classes for candidates
- Founder of a travel and tour club offering affordable trips to explore beautiful and historic scenes in Ghana

Will being 32 years old affect the attractiveness of my candidacy?

November 17, 2024 9:24am ET

Applying: Columbia, , Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM

Pre-MBA Career: Higher Education

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Media, Undecided Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Apple , Google , Microsoft , Andressen Horowitz , Charles River , Sequoia Capital , Blackstone , KKR , 21st Century Fox , Comcast , Walt Disney

GPA: 3.97

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Denver, Colorado

Post MBA Location: New York City

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MBA LiveWire

November 21, 2024 6:44pm ET

Accepted to Rochester / Simon

Round: Round 1

Received via phone November 21, 2024

GPA: 3.82

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Operations Management

Application Location: Nigeria

Note:

Application submission was on the 14th of October. Interview was on the 7th of November. Admitted with scholarship.

November 21, 2024 5:41pm ET

Accepted to Rochester / Simon

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 21, 2024

GPA: 7.4/10

GRE: 321

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Healthcare

Application Location: India

November 21, 2024 4:42pm ET

Accepted to Cornell / Johnson

Round: Round 1

Received via phone November 21, 2024

GPA: 3.16

GMAT: 730

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Finance

November 21, 2024 4:08pm ET

Accepted to Rochester / Simon

Round: Round 1

Received via phone November 21, 2024

GMAT: 555

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

November 21, 2024 3:42pm ET

Interview Invite to NYU Stern

Round: Round 1

Received via email on November 03, 2024

GPA: 3.2

GRE: 333

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Marketing

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