usc marshall essays

USC Marshall School of Business Essay Tips and Examples

September 16, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

USC Marshall 2023–2024 Essay Tips

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. (word limit: 100).

Quite simply, Marshall wants to know that you have a specific intention in mind and are not just applying to business school with the expectation of figuring everything out later, once you are enrolled in the program. Many MBA applicants have a long-term vision for their career, of course, but with this prompt, Marshall is asking you to prove you have really given thought to the necessary steps in between. Your goal in this short essay is therefore to demonstrate that you do indeed have a plan , not just broad ambition. The school’s other key concern is whether its MBA program is truly the right one to help you attain your stated goal and that you have done the necessary research to discover and confirm this for yourself. Marshall has very little impetus to admit you—and you have very little to attend it—if you will not ultimately be equipped or positioned to pursue your intended goal once you graduate! For example, if you aspire to work in a field or position for which Marshall is not known to have particularly strong courses, professors, or other offerings, or if you want to work for a company that has no recruiting history with the program, it might not be the best choice to get you where you want to go right away.

At just 100 words maximum, your response needs to be fairly straightforward. Avoid any generalities and vagueness. Do your research to ensure that Marshall can indeed position you to attain what you intend, and simply spell things out. Given that this essay involves at least one key element of a traditional personal statement, we encourage you to download a free copy of our mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , which provides advice on effectively addressing this topic in an essay.

Essay #2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee.” (word limit: 600)

This letter is meant to be 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. our 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. .

As the admissions committee itself admits in the prompt, this is essentially a request for a personal statement, which typically covers (1) why the candidate feels they need an MBA, (2) why the MBA is necessary now , and (3) why they wish to attend the specific school in question. So, at the risk of sounding repetitive, we will start by encouraging you—again—to download a complimentary copy of the mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , which is available for free and includes detailed guidance on approaching and writing such essays, along with multiple illustrative examples.

Note the admissions committee’s acknowledgement that it already has a lot of information about you from the other parts of your application, including your resume, extracurricular activities, recommendations, short-answer question responses, academic transcripts, and GMAT/GRE score. You should therefore think first about what these elements convey about who you are as an individual and candidate, so you can determine which parts of your profile would best complement this information and the image it collectively presents of you. This does not necessarily mean that you cannot touch on anything mentioned elsewhere in your application but rather that you do not want to use up valuable word count repeating anything unnecessarily. Focus on supplementing the data the school already has. And despite the somewhat stuffy intro the school provides—“Dear Admissions Committee”—keep in mind that this is an opportunity for you to present yourself as a well-rounded, dynamic individual who would be a positive addition to the Marshall community, so do your best to infuse your essay with authenticity and personality, as well as information.

Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

In general, we believe candidates should use a school’s optional essay to explain confusing or problematic issues in their candidacy, which this prompt does indeed allow. So, if you need to, use this opportunity to address any questions the admissions committee might have about your profile, such as a poor grade or overall GPA, a low GMAT or GRE score, or a gap in your work experience. Consider downloading our free mbaMission Optional Essays Guide , in which we offer detailed advice (and multiple annotated examples) on how best to approach the optional essay to mitigate any problem areas in your application.

That said, Marshall clearly leaves the door open for you to discuss any other information about your candidacy that you feel might be pivotal or particularly compelling—that you think the admissions committee truly needs to know to be able to evaluate you fully and effectively (and that might not have been appropriate for your required essay). We caution you against submitting a response to this prompt just because you fear that not doing so would somehow count against you, though (it will not). Remember that with each additional essay you write, you are asking the admissions committee to do extra work on your behalf, so you must make sure that the added time is warranted. If you decide to use this essay to impart information that you believe would render your application incomplete if omitted, strive to keep your submission brief and on point.

Essay #4 (Required for all candidates requesting a test waiver) – Test Waiver Essay – Please submit a brief statement that summarizes why you believe you qualify for a test waiver. (word limit: 200)

If you wish to receive a test waiver, you will need to make a compelling, well-reasoned, and persuasive argument as to why you do not need, or should not be expected, to take one of the exams that aspiring MBAs traditionally complete. Marshall, like all business schools, uses these tests to gauge applicants’ verbal and quantitative abilities (including their command of the English language) and their readiness for the rigors of the MBA curriculum. The school does not want to admit and enroll individuals in such an academically demanding program who will ultimately struggle to keep up; this would not be good for the student, nor for their classmates. So you will need to demonstrate clearly for the admissions committee that you already have the skills and knowledge base necessary to absorb and engage with the content and assignments Marshall will require. The school clearly states, “While professional experience can be included as a component of the waiver request, the Admissions Committee will most strongly consider two elements: 1) overall academic achievement; and 2) performance in quantitative coursework.” In your brief essay response, share all the evidence you have of times you have excelled academically in the areas the MBA curriculum is founded on.

2023-2024 Business School Essays MBA Essay Tips University of Southern California (Marshall)

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USC Marshall MBA Essays: Tips for 2023-2024

At Menlo Coaching, we noticed that most MBA essays will fall into one of a number of categories: personal essays, career goals essays, behavioral essays, etc. Read ahead for our expert guide on approaching these essays for USC Marshall School of Business.

Career Goals Essay

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. (word limit: 100)

Dear Admissions Committee Essay

Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600) This letter is meant to be 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. Our 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.

Optional Essay

Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

Applying to USC Marshall School of Business

USC Marshall is a prestigious business school with renowned faculty and a focus on academic success. USC wants to admit students who are intelligent, determined, and prepared to undertake a rigorous curriculum. Further, USC has a strong networking community especially in Los Angeles, known as the “Trojan family.” Thus, Marshall MBA graduates will have some aid in the community when trying to enter the job market. Applicants should pay attention to the specific requirements and expectations set out by USC’s admissions committee when writing USC MBA essays. Through these MBA essays, applicants have a chance to demonstrate their skills, accomplishments, and personal interests.

Marshall’s Career Goals Essay

The USC Marshall career goals essay provides applicants with a place to let the USC admissions committee know how the MBA program you want to attend will help you achieve your professional goals, including an intended position, function, and industry. This USC MBA essay is a great place to explain why USC is truly the best fit for you.

It is vital for USC applicants to have a solid plan for their post-MBA career aspirations. First and foremost, this is because USC wants its graduates to succeed. However, there are a few selfish motivations for the career goals essay, including the fact that USC wants to have an impressive employment report and produce graduates who will become donors someday. Further, the USC Marshall admissions committee wants to ensure that applicants have a career plan that plays on their past experiences and thus ensures success. They also want applicants with the foresight to develop an alternate career plan in case their first choice does not work out.

Other things to keep in mind for this essay is the necessity to have a career goal that is both ambitious and practical. Applicants should have meaningful goals that fit with what is offered at USC’s MBA program. Along this vein, networking is extremely important when preparing to write your career goals essay. The more you know about the program and how it can help you achieve your personal goals, the better.

Marshall’s “Dear Admissions Committee” Essay

The USC MBA essay is a hallmark of USC Marshall’s MBA application. Writing this genre of MBA essay may involve divulging information about the core values, morals, and passions that guide your behavior and motivate your decision to apply to Marshall. USC’s MBA admissions committee wants to know more about the actual people to which they are offering admissions, because each applicant is more than their transcript and resume.

USC Marshall’s admissions committee wants applicants to provide information about personal relationships, hardships, and other individualizing information in this USC MBA essay. It is important to provide concrete examples to demonstrate how your values have influenced you in different areas of your life. Further, USC wants applicants to demonstrate leadership skills and articulate their reasons for wanting an MBA at USC.

When writing this USC MBA essay, you should keep in mind that it is important to be open and let your personality shine through, with an engaging story told with an authentic voice for example. Therefore, as long as you are true to yourself, your USC MBA essay will be a success.

Once you’ve completed your application, the optional UNC MBA essay gives you an additional opportunity to provide the AdCom with any additional information or clarity that you feel would enhance your application.

One trap that MBA applicants fall into is using the additional space provided by this essay to write on a whole new topic. However, this is not always the best idea.

You should only make use of this essay if you what you write will provide context to an element of your application to improve your candidacy—you don’t want to jeopardize your chances by adding unnecessary noise to your application.

Applicants to USC Marshall should pay close attention to the specific expectations for each type of USC MBA essay. USC Marshall also has an additional USC MBA essay option where applicants can provide any other information they would like the admissions committee to consider. Although it may be tempting to look up sample essays and draw from these formats, it is most important to let your personal background guide the construction of your USC MBA essays.

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USC Marshall MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

Crafting compelling USC Marshall MBA essays is crucial for your application.

Posted March 1, 2024

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Welcome to our comprehensive guide on USC Marshall MBA essays. In this article, we will provide you with an overview of the application process, the role of essays, and share expert tips along with examples to help you craft compelling essays that stand out . Whether you are a prospective applicant or just curious about the USC Marshall MBA program, this guide is for you.

USC Marshall Application and the Role of Essays

When applying to the USC Marshall School of Business, one of the key components of your application is the essays. The essays play a crucial role in showcasing your personality, experiences, and aspirations to the admissions committee. Through these essays, the committee gets a deeper understanding of who you are beyond your academic and professional achievements.

As you sit down to write your essays, it's important to remember that this is your chance to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Take the time to reflect on your experiences and think about how they have shaped you as a person. What unique perspectives and insights do you bring to the table? How have your past experiences prepared you for success at USC Marshall?

One of the essay prompts asks you to describe a time when you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it. This prompt provides an opportunity for you to showcase your resilience and problem-solving skills . Think about a time when you encountered a difficult situation, whether it was in your personal or professional life. How did you navigate through it? What strategies did you employ to overcome the challenge? Reflecting on these questions will help you craft a compelling essay that demonstrates your ability to overcome obstacles.

Another essay prompt asks you to discuss your short-term and long-term goals and how USC Marshall can help you achieve them. This is your chance to show the admissions committee that you have a clear vision for your future and that USC Marshall is an integral part of your plan. Research the various resources and opportunities that USC Marshall offers, such as internships, networking events, and alumni connections. How do these align with your goals? How will they contribute to your personal and professional growth?

Furthermore, it's important to remember that the essays are not just about showcasing your accomplishments; they are also an opportunity to reveal your values and passions . What drives you? What are you most passionate about? How do these passions align with the values and mission of USC Marshall? By delving into these questions, you can create an essay that not only highlights your achievements but also demonstrates your alignment with the values of the USC Marshall community.

In conclusion, the essays are a vital component of your USC Marshall application. They provide the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of who you are as an individual and what you can bring to the USC Marshall community. Take the time to reflect on your experiences, goals, and values, and use the essays as an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities. By crafting thoughtful and compelling essays, you can increase your chances of being admitted to USC Marshall and embarking on a transformative educational journey.

USC Marshall Essay Prompts (2023-2024)

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, USC Marshall has provided the following essay prompts:

"Describe why you are interested in pursuing an MBA at USC Marshall, and how will the USC Marshall MBA program help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals?"
"Describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected. Explain the impact this had and discuss the lessons you learned."
"Select one of these two topics: (A) A significant challenge you faced and the steps you took to address it. (B) An opportunity you identified and the actions you took to seize it. Describe the results and what you learned from the experience."
"Please provide any additional information that will enhance our understanding of your candidacy for the program."

Choosing to pursue an MBA is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. When contemplating why you are interested in pursuing an MBA at USC Marshall, it is essential to reflect on your career aspirations and how the program can help you achieve them. USC Marshall's MBA program offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, equipping students with the skills necessary to excel in the business world.

By pursuing an MBA at USC Marshall, you will have access to a vast network of alumni and industry professionals who can provide valuable insights and connections. The program's emphasis on experiential learning through internships, consulting projects, and global immersion experiences will allow you to gain real-world experience and develop a global perspective.

Furthermore, USC Marshall's strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation provides a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs. The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies offers resources and support to help students launch their own ventures and turn their ideas into successful businesses.

As you consider your short-term and long-term career goals, it is important to articulate how the USC Marshall MBA program aligns with your aspirations. Whether you aim to advance in your current industry or transition into a new field, USC Marshall's diverse faculty and industry connections can provide the guidance and mentorship necessary to achieve your goals.

The second essay prompt asks you to describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected. This prompt provides an opportunity to showcase your initiative, creativity, and ability to think outside the box. Reflect on a situation where you took the initiative to challenge the status quo and make a significant impact.

Perhaps you were working on a team project and identified a more efficient process that improved productivity and saved time. Or maybe you took the lead on a community service initiative and exceeded the initial goals, positively impacting the lives of those involved. Whatever the scenario, be sure to highlight the lessons you learned from this experience and how it has shaped your approach to future challenges.

For the third essay prompt, you have the option to choose between two topics: a significant challenge you faced and the steps you took to address it, or an opportunity you identified and the actions you took to seize it. Whichever topic you choose, make sure to provide a detailed account of the situation, the actions you took, and the results you achieved.

If you decide to discuss a significant challenge, consider discussing how you overcame adversity, demonstrated resilience, and learned valuable lessons along the way. On the other hand, if you choose to explore an opportunity you identified, discuss how your proactive approach and strategic thinking led to positive outcomes. Reflect on the lessons you learned from this experience and how it has contributed to your personal and professional growth.

Lastly, the fourth essay prompt gives you the opportunity to provide any additional information that will enhance the understanding of your candidacy for the program. This is your chance to highlight any unique experiences, skills, or accomplishments that may not be captured in other parts of your application.

Consider discussing any leadership roles you have held, community involvement, or significant projects you have worked on. Additionally, if there are any extenuating circumstances or challenges you have faced that have impacted your academic or professional journey, this is the space to provide context and explain how you have overcome them.

Remember, the goal of this essay is to provide the admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of your candidacy and what you can bring to the USC Marshall MBA program.

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List of Expert Tips for Each Marshall Essay Prompt

Now, let's dive into some expert tips for each of the essay prompts:

Start by showcasing your passion for the USC Marshall MBA program and its unique offerings.
Connect your short-term and long-term career goals to what USC Marshall can provide.
Be specific in your aspirations and explain how USC Marshall aligns with them.
Choose a situation where you took the initiative to go beyond expectations.
Discuss the impact of your actions and the valuable lessons you learned.
Showcase your problem-solving skills and willingness to take calculated risks.
Select the topic that resonates with your experiences.
Clearly describe the challenge or opportunity and its significance.
Highlight the actions you took and the results achieved.
Reflect on the lessons learned and personal growth.
Use this essay to provide any additional information that enhances your candidacy.
Highlight relevant achievements, experiences, or circumstances.
Show how these aspects add value to your application.

MBA Essay Tips: How to Write Compelling Essays

Here are some general tips to help you craft compelling essays for your USC Marshall MBA application:

Start early to allow ample time for brainstorming, drafting, and revisions.
Understand the essay prompts thoroughly and answer them directly.
Show, don't just tell, by providing specific examples and anecdotes.
Be authentic and let your true voice shine through your writing.
Use a logical structure and ensure coherence throughout your essays.
Edit and proofread meticulously to eliminate any errors or typos.
Seek feedback from mentors, friends, or professionals to gain different perspectives.

USC Marshall Essay Examples From Success Admits — With Analysis

To further illustrate the application of the aforementioned tips, let's explore some successful USC Marshall essay examples:

Example 1 - Essay 1: [Provide Example Essay with Analysis]

Example 2 - Essay 2: [Provide Example Essay with Analysis]

Example 3 - Essay 3: [Provide Example Essay with Analysis]

Example 4 - Essay 4: [Provide Example Essay with Analysis]

USC Marshall Essay FAQs

To address any lingering questions you may have, we've compiled a list of commonly asked questions regarding USC Marshall MBA essays:

"How long should each essay be?" - Each essay should be around 500-700 words.
"Can I exceed the word limit?" - It's advisable to stick to the specified word limit for each essay.
"Should I use bullet points or paragraphs?" - Use paragraphs to maintain a cohesive narrative in your essays.
"Are there any specific formatting requirements?" - Follow the application instructions for formatting guidelines.

In conclusion, the USC Marshall MBA essays are an integral part of the application process. By carefully crafting your essays using our expert tips and analyzing successful examples, you can submit a compelling application that showcases your unique qualities and aspirations. Good luck with your USC Marshall MBA journey!

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USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

Along with academic excellence, the USC Marshall MBA program is characterized by a powerful global network with special emphasis on the Pacific Rim, a close-knit and passionate community, and a strong regional presence. Your essays should show how you will both fit in and contribute to this dynamic environment, and the questions provide interesting opportunities to do so. Taken together, the questions indicate that the adcom wants to see both a clear, practical career focus and to understand the person behind those goals – that means they care about your perspective, your values, and your ability to synthesize and prioritize.

USC Marshall 2022-2023 MBA application essays

Marshall mba essay question #1.

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 word maximum)

The question specifies the information to include in the essay. Although only 100 words, it is deemed an “essay” by the adcom, and that means you should do more than provide facts. An essay moves – it goes somewhere, it has a starting point and ending point. And you will have room for a little more than the bare facts, so compose your answer in a way that includes some motivation or vision for your short-term career goal; clarify what animates it. It may be just a sentence, even a phrase, but it can make all the difference. It will make this short piece of writing an essay – and will engage the reader.

Marshall MBA essay question #2

Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600) . This letter is meant to be 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. Our 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.

This essay question invites you to reveal and share something of yourself – and in doing so, you will necessarily reveal your perspective, what you value. After all, in deciding what to discuss and how to present it , you already, literally, are making a statement about these things!

As the question indicates, there is no one formula for making this essay great. The good news is, there are many ways to do so – as many ways potentially as there are applicants.

First, consider making most of the essay about non-work subjects – it’s a “personal statement.” There well may be work-related aspects that warrant discussing, but it should not be about the work issues as much as what they show about you as a person. And it’s fine not to discuss work at all if you’ve got other good things to talk about!

Possible topics to consider are formative experiences, cultural influences, interests and passions (community, religious, sports, artistic, hobbies, political….), etc. I’ve seen essays of this type work that discuss two or three things, or even just one – but more than three and you risk creating a “too much stuff” blur. Be thoughtful and selective and, to a certain extent, strategic – by this last point I mean show the adcom new, relevant, and interesting aspects of you; I don’t mean trying too hard to impress the adcom by striving for topics that are superficially dramatic or exotic. Have the confidence to dig into your real life even if it may seem mundane – I recently edited a great basketball essay that vividly portrayed the applicant’s deep insight, humanity, individuality, and resourcefulness. I have no doubt the adcom that reads it will be moved and unable to put it down. That leads to my last point: don’t just relate facts; have something to say about them – show a point of view, vision, insight.

Marshall MBA essay question #3

Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (250 word maximum)

This question allows you to both discuss points that will enhance your application and explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of recommender, a dip in grades ). For the former, if you ask the adcom to read additional material, make sure that it truly illuminates and is germane to your candidacy – since you have the personal statement to work with, do not present material that could more appropriately be addressed there.

For expert guidance with your USC Marshall MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages , which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

USC Marshall 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines

*Applications received after April 15, 2023 will be considered on a space-available basis.

Source: USC Marshall website

Top MBA Program Essay Questions: How to Answer them right!

Related Resources:

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USC Marshall’s Kellee Scott: Don’t Be Rigid, Boring or Tedious! a podcast episode

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USC Marshall Application Essays for 2022-2023

Are you targeting the USC Marshall School of Business this year? The application for the full-time MBA program is now live and the deadlines are here . Meanwhile, the USC Marshall application essays remain unchanged for the 2022-2023 admissions season.

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. (word limit: 100)

Essay #2 (Required)

Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

This letter is meant to be 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. Our 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.

Essay #3 (Optional)

Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

For more information on applying, please visit the USC Marshall admissions site . If you need guidance on your USC Marshall application essays, or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

The post USC Marshall Application Essays for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting .

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USC Marshall Application Essays for 2023-2024

Are you targeting the USC Marshall School of Business this year? The application for the full-time MBA program is now live, and the deadlines are here . Meanwhile, the USC Marshall application essays remain unchanged for the 2023-2024 admissions season.

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. (word limit: 100)

Essay #2 (Required)

Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

Essay #3 (Optional)

Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

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USC Marshall MBA Sample Essays

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. (word limit: 100)
Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600) This letter is meant to be 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. Our 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.

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USC Marshall Sample Essays – 1

Marshall 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. (word limit: 100).

I have been associated with Unilever for more than five years now. Unilever has given me the opportunity to work across diverse functions of supply chain varying from an operation-oriented role to a long-term strategy-oriented role.

Working on business strategy has been extremely exciting and that’s why, post MBA, I wish to transition into a strategy consulting role with the CPG arm of consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, BCG. In the long run I aspire to become the CEO of a CPG firm and follow in the footsteps of Ms. Indra Nooyi (ex-CEO PepsiCo.) who has been my lifelong inspiration.

Marshall Essay 2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

Dear Admissions Committee,

I believe, we are the sum-total of our experiences and the experiences that have defined me as a person can be expressed in a nutshell by the following two narrations:

1) “Adversities cause some men to break, and others to break records” – William Aurthur Ward.

I am glad the latter happened with me and I am proud of defying the stereotypes for an Indian girl and braving the adversities that came my way.

I was born into an extremely conservative family as a girl and my aspirations to pursue undergraduate education antagonized many elders. My family was saving more money for my marriage than for my education. My father was my only supporter in my pursuit of higher education and due to his support, I was able to dream big for myself.

But as fate would have it, a few months before my undergraduate admissions I lost my father. His untimely demise created a huge void both psychologically and financially. Under an assistance program, the government offered me an entry level employment opportunity and everyone in my family pressured me to take up the job and get married to reduce the financial burden on my family. Even the funds my father saved up for my education had to be reprioritized to meet our daily essential needs. This was one of the most challenging times of my life as it seemed like my dreams were crashing down.

Our dire circumstances motivated me to make something of myself so that my family would never have to feel helpless. I secured an admission in one of the best engineering colleges in India with a scholarship, which helped me convince my family to pursue my dreams. Fast forward 4 years, I was amongst the top performing graduates in my class and amongst the first to receive a great job offer from Unilever. I blazed the trail for a new journey for my family, becoming the first woman in my family to have a professional career and an undergraduate degree. Having inspired my cousins, I support 2 of them financially to help them achieve their dreams.

2) “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” – Martha Graham

I’ve always resonated with this quote, ever since I was a kid, dance has been my passion and has had a therapeutic effect on me. However, my family disapproved of this interest as they considered it a distraction and unrepresentative of a cultured woman. Let alone joining dance classes, I wasn’t even allowed to learn it by myself.

When I stepped out of their shadows of my family to pursue my undergrad, I utilized my newfound freedom to reconnect with my passion for dancing as well. I joined the choreography club and regularly attended dance sessions. My love for the art form taught me much more than the art itself. Through dance, I’ve learned that grace requires practice; synchrony needs teamwork; and perfection entails dedication. Furthermore, dance allowed me to connect with people and learn from their experiences. My love for dance enabled me to become the one of the lead dancers to represent the university in dance competitions and win awards for my alma mater.

During my final year, my family came to watch my performance. The admonishments from my childhood came back to me before walking up on stage. The thunderous applause that followed my performance was my answer. At that moment, I hoped they had forgiven my adamance and accepted my love for the art form.

I look forward to bringing this passion to Marshall and introducing my peers to the wonders and magic of dance.

USC Marshall Sample Essays – 3

Over the past x years, I have worked with organisations such as IBM, Accenture and BT in the finance function and saved x dollars in operational efficiency. Although I have grown in my career, my learnings have been limited to a narrow section of finance. I am at a career stage where I would like to understand the various aspects of business and upskill myself. Post MBA, I want to transition into a full fledged finance professional and land a role as Finance Manager in an Ecommerce or Consumer Goods fortune 500 company such as Amazon, P&G.

Marshall Essay 2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

Dear Admission Committee,

I was born in Nepal, where poverty prevails with limited access to electricity, and educating girls is considered sinful. After my family moved to India, we lost our father to cancer. Both I and my sister had to start working at an early age to support ourselves and our family. I had to overcome incredible obstacles to complete my education and create an identity for myself in the newfound nation that I call home.

Coming from such unfortunate circumstances, I strongly believe in the power of helping and caring. At college, to improve my financial condition and continue studies, I started working at a small coaching centre, where I taught primary-school students. Simultaneously, I volunteered at an NGO, where I taught 35+ women reading and simple math, motivating them to continue their education and spreading social awareness about domestic violence. I strongly believe education has the power to transform people’s lives by providing them access to the job market and thereby gaining financial independence.

Despite all the difficulties, after college, I secured a job in a Fortune-500 company and secured coveted roles. I have grown in my career in the finance domain. Post MBA my goals is to land a full fledged finance professional role. Such a role will sharpen my finance skills from a strategic standpoint and expose me to business aspects and industry practices. Long-term, I want to leverage my experience, international exposure, and industry connections to set up my own boutique finance services venture in Nepal which will assist the SMBs. Nepal’s economy revolves around the agriculture industry and the services industry. With 70% of the population employed in the agriculture space, there is immense scope for small businesses. MBA at USC Marshall will prepare me holistically to succeed as a finance manager and thereafter pursue my vision of bringing about sustainable change in Nepal.

I find USC Marshall’s MBA program perfectly in alignment with my career goals.

The rigorous curriculum with electives in Finance will equip me to be a full-fledged finance professional in the corporate world. I look forward to interacting and learning from the international diverse cohort, that would shape my thinking and broaden my perspective. As part of the student club, I want to empower women by sharing my experiences and creating avenues and forums for mentorship.

With the best talents from the world, international faculty and enriching student experience I believe USC is best suited to achieve my goals and make the next step in my career.

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How to Write the USC Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

The University of Southern California has a few supplemental essays and creative short answers that students must complete. Your essays are one of the only opportunities you’ll have to show an admissions officer who you are beyond the numbers, and with USC’s many different prompts, it’s clear this school wants you to seize that opportunity.

Here are our tips for responding to the USC essays in a way that will help your application stand out!

Read these USC essay examples written by real students to inspire your own writing.

USC Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections (250 words).

Prompt 2 (optional): Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. You do not need to address a summer break (250 words).

Short Answer Prompts: Respond to all the prompts below (100 characters unless otherwise specified)

Describe yourself in three words (25 characters each)
What is your favorite snack?
Best movie of all time
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
What TV show will you binge watch next?
Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
Favorite Book
If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?

Viterbi School of Engineering Applicants

Prompt: The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. (250 words)

Engineering and Computer Science Applicants

Prompt: The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 words)

Dornsife Applicants

Prompt: Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about — a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words)

All Applicants, Prompt 1

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at usc specifically. please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections (250 words)..

The tricky bit about this prompt is that it essentially combines the “ Why This Major ” and “ Why This College ” essay archetypes into one essay with a strict cap of 250 words. That’s a lot of information in not a whole lot of space, which might feel overwhelming. The first thing you should do is figure out the content of your essay.

Step One: Think about your academic interests (i.e. your majors).

How did your interests develop?
Why are you passionate about your interests?
What are your goals within your interests?
How will pursuing your major help you achieve your goals in life?

Step Two: Think about the answers to those questions in relation to USC.

How will USC help you to further develop your interests?
What resources does the university have that will help you achieve your goals?

While your essay should explore resources that will aid in your academic pursuits, you should also keep it as specific to USC as possible—this essay should not be able to be copied and pasted for any other university! Here’s an example of how to achieve the specificity you need:

Bad: USC is a great school, located in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, with unparalleled academics and renowned instructors.

Why is this bad? This sentence could just as easily apply to UCLA. Without the bit about Los Angeles, the reasoning could even apply to any decent school in existence.

Good: At USC, I plan to participate in the Joint Educational Project (JEP) to find a community of students who, like me, are passionate about the intersections of teaching and social justice. Through JEP, I will be able to actively use the teaching principles I learn in my classes about the Dynamics of Early Childhood.

Why is this good? It references a unique resource at USC and relates to the student’s academic interests.

The Final Step: Write a cohesive essay that tells admissions officers why you are pursuing your field and why USC is the right place for you to pursue it. Some examples could include:

An Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering student who was obsessed with the launching of the Antares rocket, movies like Gattaca and The Martian , and their physics summer camp as a middle schooler. They could describe their goal of working for NASA, then discussing their interest in the USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (RPL).
An English student who ultimately wants to write romance novels discussing the Creative Writing Hour series that is hosted by English faculty. They might want to reference some of the big-name professors at USC—like Maggie Nelson, Aimee Bender, Dana Johnson, and T.C. Boyle—who have inspired their love of writing.
A Fine Arts applicant mentioning the Fisher Museum of Art that is on USC’s campus. It was after a school field trip to the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) that they first tried working with graphite and learned of their life goals. They know the power of art museums for inspiration and are excited to have a constant source of inspiration just minutes away.

If you are worried about the word count, one way to maximize the little space you have is to find a way to relate your first- and second-choice majors. This way, your explanations of each wouldn’t read like separate essays; rather, they would be telling different parts of the same story. A student with a first-choice major in Physics and a second-choice major in English might want to write about their ultimate goal of writing Science Fiction novels. A student with a first-choice major in History and a second-choice major in East Asian Languages and Culture might write about their goal of curating Asian American history museums.

Make sure you focus on your academic interests/goals and tell admissions officers the ways that USC will help your academic dreams come true, and you will be set!

All Applicants, Prompt 2 (optional)

Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term, please address this gap in your educational history. you do not need to address a summer break (250 words). .

USC’s second prompt is optional and won’t apply to most students. However, if you do have a gap in your educational history, then be sure to use this space to address it. Give a brief explanation of the reasoning for the gap—be it illness, a move, etc.—as well as an overview of how you spent this time outside of school.

For example, let’s say your family moved across the country and you took a term off during the transfer. You can describe your role in the move (perhaps you were in charge of organizing a yard sale), why the circumstances warranted an educational gap (maybe the new school doesn’t allow mid-term transfers), and any other projects or commitments to which you dedicated your time.

Ideally, you want to demonstrate how you made the most of this time off and why the time off was necessary.

All Applicants, Short Answer Prompts

Respond to all the prompts below (100 characters unless otherwise specified), 1. describe yourself in three words (25 characters each), 2. what is your favorite snack, 3. best movie of all time, 4. dream job, 5. if your life had a theme song, what would it be, 6. dream trip, 7. what tv show will you binge watch next, 8. which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate, 9. favorite book, 10. if you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be.

In this section, USC lets you have a little fun. The questions ask for short, rapid-fire responses that give you the opportunity to let your individuality shine.

The most important thing to keep in mind with the short answer supplements is that USC is asking you to provide new information that sheds light on different aspects of your personality.

Don’t repeat tidbits you’ve already mentioned, although you can and should develop new angles of themes you’ve already established. Most importantly, have fun in this section! If you’re having fun writing it, chances are your admissions officer will have fun reading it.

You can leave descriptions or notes in your responses, though remember that you have 100 characters max. If your choices are more offbeat, we recommend giving a brief description, as your admissions officer certainly won’t have the time to look things up. If your choices are pretty well-known, you can still leave a note about why you chose them (as in the sample response to #8). It’s another opportunity to share your personality, which is valuable!

Describe yourself in three words (25 characters max each).

Example: Cinephile. Cynophile. Logophile.

Tip: Be creative!

Example: My Gram’s Lebuchken, tiny gingerbread-esque German cakes that my family devours each holiday season.

Tip: This is an opportunity to show your roots or quirky favorites. Make your response more interactive by including descriptive words that appeal to the senses, especially taste and smell. Also, if you’re using another language or describing a less common food, feel free to provide a short description or explanation so that someone who’s never heard of it before can still imagine it.

Example: October Sky; Homer’s rockets remind me of my own homemade science creations, like my DIY lava lamp.

Tip: A lot of applicants will write Harry Potter . Be genuine in your response, but take this opportunity to stand out rather than providing a generic answer.

Example: A math professor; sharing my love of topology to positively shape students’ view of the subject.

Example: Crossword Puzzle Writer; my mornings aren’t complete without a cup of OJ and my daily brain teaser.

Tip: If you go with a serious answer, make a clear connection to your major to show that you’re focused on your academic path. Don’t give a generic answer like “doctor” or “lawyer;” talk about what specialty or subfield interests you most. That said, you could also go for a more lighthearted answer, like a crossword puzzle writer, to use the space to show personality.

Example: The [TV show] Intro; I’d like to think of myself as a [character], but I have to admit I’m more of an [character].

Example: Happy Birthday by AJR – a catchy tune with funny/sarcastic lyrics about the reality of modern life.

Tip: Just as with the best movie prompt, you may want to avoid mainstream selections and instead put forward a title that says something about you. What song would you want the admissions officer to play while reading your application? Make sure the song you choose is appropriate.

Example: Road trip around Iceland’s perimeter; stops include Thingvellir National Park and the Geysir Springs.

Tip: Be more specific than simply “Hawaii” or “Europe.” Also, just as with all the prompts, you want to convey something about yourself in your response, so avoid mainstream or overly luxurious answers.

Example: Aggretsuko (anime about a red panda who relieves job stress by singing death metal at karaoke bars)

Tip: Follow similar guidelines to the theme song prompt—mainstream selections are fine and are potentially relatable to the reader, but that quirkier show you have your eye on might make for a more fun response. If your selection is lesser-known, consider adding a brief description.

Example: Rory Gilmore – there definitely won’t be a shortage of coffee or good conversation.

Tip: It’s okay to go with a more well-known character here, since that will allow the reader to relate. It’s just important to use that extra space to elaborate on why you’d want to live with this person.

Favorite book

Example: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight – I read the entire book in my favorite pair of Air Max 97s.

Tip: Follow the same advice for best movie of all time.

Example: SETI: Using the Drake Equation to Find E.T., complete with a field trip to outer space!

Tip: You can have some fun with this prompt; try thinking outside the box of the generic “Intro to Calculus.” You can also have the class relate back to your intended major, though that’s not absolutely necessary.

The student body at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse group of unique engineers and computer scientists who work together to engineer a better world for all humanity. Describe how your contributions to the USC Viterbi student body may be distinct from others. Please feel free to touch on any part of your background, traits, skills, experiences, challenges, and/or personality in helping us better understand you. (250 words)

USC’s engineering school is extremely competitive to get into, forcing admissions officers to choose between many qualified applicants who look relatively similar on paper. This essay wants to get down to the heart of why they should pick you over others.

The most important word in this prompt that should job out to you is “contributions”. In this essay, you need to convey what you will bring to the engineering community that is unique. You might be saying to yourself “what can I contribute to an established university?”, but there’s actually a lot to work with here. The prompt gives suggestions of sources that could contribute to your uniqueness so let’s look at some examples of traits and how they relate to contribution to USC.

Trait: You’re from a coastal town in Florida that is experiencing flooding.

Contribution: You plan to join the Structures and Material Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to discover which materials are erosion-resistant.

Trait: You’re the only daughter among four brothers.

Contribution: Since you’re no stranger to asserting your voice as a woman in a male-dominated setting, you want to become a mentor through the Women in Science and Engineering’s Young Researchers Program and encourage female high schoolers to pursue STEM.

Trait: You have OCD.

Contribution: Rather than being a hindrance, you channel your obsessive tendencies into meticulously completing complex calculations which you are excited to do as an Aerospace Engineering major.

Trait: You started an iPhone repair business out of your garage in high school.

Contribution: Your experience working with technology has given you insight into specific aspects of hardware design that could be improved that you plan to experiment with under the supervision of X professor.

As you can see from these examples, there are many ways to approach what you can contribute to the Viterbi community. When it comes to actually writing this in your essay, you should start by highlighting the unique aspect of yourself that you are choosing to focus on with a short anecdote. For example, the student writing about being from a coastal town might open with a vivid description of the damage caused by erosion from the most recent flood.

Once you’ve caught the reader’s attention and communicated what your unique background is, explain how that has positioned you to bring something special to the USC community. It’s important to be as detailed as possible by including specific programs or institutes, professors, classes, or research projects you are interested in. You can also mention more than one way that you will contribute—just ensure that each one is fully fleshed out.

Finally, end your essay with a concise conclusion. This might look like returning back to your anecdote from the beginning, talking about your future plans and how USC will get you there, or something else entirely.

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and their 14 Grand Challenges go hand-in-hand with our vision to engineer a better world for all humanity. Engineers and computer scientists are challenged to solve these problems in order to improve life on the planet. Learn more about the NAE Grand Challenges at http://engineeringchallenges.org and tell us which challenge is most important to you, and why. (250 words)

Before you can start answering this prompt, you need to do a little research! Once you go to the website linked above, click on the Challenges button at the top of the page and it will take you to the 14 Grand Challenges that engineers across the globe are committed to addressing. These challenges are broken up into four categorical themes (Sustainability, Health, Security, and Joy of Living) and they range from providing access to clean water to improving urban infrastructure to engineering better medicines to preventing nuclear terror attacks.

Your job is to pick one of these challenges that speaks the most to you. Keep in mind, we didn’t say pick the challenge you think is the “trendiest” or the admissions officers would be most impressed by; in order to write a successful and engaging essay your genuine passion and fascination with the issue has to come through.

Once you have a challenge in mind, now you have to connect it to you. This is where you will bring in your previous experiences, your academic interests, and personal anecdotes to demonstrate why that particular issue resonates with you. For example, maybe you picked Manage the Nitrogen Cycle because your favorite memories from when you were little were gardening with your grandma which started your fascination with how plants sustain themselves and interact with the environment.

It’s important to connect to the challenge with both past experiences and future goals. So, continuing the nitrogen cycle example, maybe your dream one day is to own your own farm that is pesticide-free, so you are passionate about engineering nitrogen-free fertilizers. They don’t all have to be this personal—it’s just as valid to say you are committed to providing clean water because you dream of a world where no one is denied basic human rights like water—but you should have some explanation of the impact overcoming one of these challenges would have on you and the broader community. This helps demonstrate to the admissions officers that you appreciate the weight of these issues.

One thing to remember that trips up some students: you aren’t asked to solve the challenge in this essay. Although you can definitely contribute ideas you have, especially if you have previous experiences that relate to addressing the issue, it’s not required. The major point of this essay is to learn more about global issues you care about and why you are choosing to address them through an engineering perspective.

Many of us have at least one issue or passion that we care deeply about — a topic on which we would love to share our opinions and insights in hopes of sparking intense interest and continued conversation. If you had ten minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your talk be about? (250 words)

This prompt requires less deep thought than the former. The “education” prompt asks students to think deeply about a question they have probably never thought about before, while this prompt asks you “what are you thinking about all the time?”

If an idea comes to mind when you first read this prompt, that’s probably where you should start. USC is not looking for wild answers where students turn the holes in swiss cheese into a complex metaphor—they really just want to hear what you care about. That being said, what you care about can totally be weird or nuanced, as long as your interest in the subject tells admissions officers something about you.

Some examples of how you could work this prompt:

Writing about a social justice issue. Introducing a specific anecdote (that you would introduce during your hypothetical talk). Providing insightful and unique commentary on the issue—whether that be how we got here or where we should go from here.
Writing about a school of thought in science or philosophy. Explaining the importance of certain types of questions. Giving specific examples (historical, fictional, and anecdotal) that show that you have thought through the importance of rationalism, taoism, sensationalism, or any other school.
Writing about a lecture on a specific book. Discussing how White Teeth, Giovanni’s Room, or Moby Dick tells multiple important life lessons in one pretty package. Drawing connections between the fictional world and the real world.
Writing about the valuable lessons that can be learned from another culture. Introducing stories from your past that show the value of Japanese respect, Persian hospitality, or Indian selflessness. Recognizing negative aspects of cultures, but recognizing the lessons that can be learned when you take the time to learn them.

While these are just some examples, this prompt leaves the door open for you to explore whatever you care about. Because this essay is the simpler option, make sure that your writing is impeccable if you choose this second prompt. Engage with anecdotes and a unique personal voice to keep your essay engaging. Don’t give the reader the option to stop reading!

Where to Get Your USC Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your USC essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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One-Year MBA (IBEAR)

One-year mba.

The One-Year MBA is an accelerated, one-year, full-time, international program for mid-career professionals. This program is also known as the International Education and Research (IBEAR) MBA. The program immerses participants in the complexities of international business and includes a four-month consulting project that involves close collaboration with peers, faculty, and clients to solve real-world business issues in a global economy defined by constant change.

The typical One-Year MBA class is comprised of 55 participants from 12 to 15 countries. On average, participants are 36 years old and have 12 years of work experience; 80% are in the 32 to 40 age range. One-third of participants are sponsored by companies and family-owned businesses and two-thirds are self-sponsored. Established in 1978, the IBEAR program has over 2,100 alumni from 60 countries.

Pictured: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, at USC for the One-Year MBA's 2022 Global Leadership Forum with the One-Year MBA-44 class, March 2022.

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PROGRAM PROFILE

Pacing: Full-time

Program Length: 1 year

Format: In-Person

Class Schedule: Weekdays on campus

Student Profile: Mid-career professionals

STEM Designation: STEM Certified

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Accelerated one-year program.

The One-Year MBA is a “double-time” program that enables students to earn an MBA in 12 months. Participants complete 19 courses and earn 56 credits over 6 intense 8-week terms. Courses are taught by faculty who have substantial international business expertise.

Flexible Curriculum + Specialization

The curriculum is designed to provide flexibility and choice to allow students to pursue a career of their choice. Whether a student is looking to make a career change or to advance in their industry, iMBA allows professionals to pursue a specialization that will advance their career.

iMBA students take 56 units over 12 months starting in June. (As a point of comparison, in Two-Year MBA program students take 63 units over 22 months.) One-Year MBA’s 56 units are comprised of 17 units of required courses (non-waivable), 21 units of functional core courses (you may waive and substitute with an elective), and 18 units of elective courses. These elective choices allow students to customize the program for their needs.

STEM-Certified

The One-Year MBA is STEM certified and prepares students to fulfill the increasing need to apply quantitative and scientific methods to business challenges. International graduates are able to apply to extend their 12-month OPT by an additional 24 months, potentially expanding their employment opportunities within the U.S. while retaining the unique cohort experience with One-Year MBA classmates.

Real World Learning

The One-Year MBA Program is designed to prepare students for the dynamic challenges and opportunities of the global marketplace. Classes and research are combined with real-world experiences which emphasize interactive, hands-on learning.

International Business Consulting Projects (IBCP) incorporate real-world business consulting projects as a key part of the learning experience. IBCP is a 3-unit capstone course, it is a proprietary consulting project that requires the integration of prior coursework to make actionable recommendations to senior-level corporate sponsors.

The Experiential Learning Program (IELP) provide exceptional opportunities for students to learn from business and government leaders in international economies. The Domestic Experiential Learning Program (DELP) provides exceptional opportunities for students to network with business leaders in a variety of U.S. companies.

Executive Leadership & Professional Development Workshops are a required series of customized and interactive programs and retreats designed to augment and complement the academic curriculum. These activities are held on-campus and off-campus with some over-night stays.

Lifelong Global Network

iMBA students learn and work alongside peers from 12-15 countries. iMBA students study in cohorts which facilitate lifelong relationships with classmates, faculty, and staff. iMBA’s 2,100 alumni regularly help recruit and interview candidates, mentor and hire students, sponsor IBCP consulting projects, and do business together. iMBA alumni clubs are active in cities around the world and iMBA alumni often hold leadership roles in Marshall and USC alumni clubs globally.

Dedicated Career Services

Career development is an integral part of the iMBA experience. Participants receive highly personalized coaching from a dedicated team of career and professional practitioners with extensive cross-industry, cross-functional, international experience. Designed for the unique needs of mid-career professionals seeking career advancement or transitions, the career services team works closely with each participant to help them identify and achieve their career objectives.

APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM

Admission decisions are based on the applicant's work experience, academic background, test results, letter of recommendation, and application essays. Applicants must have completed a minimum of six years of full-time work, military, or graduate study prior to the start of the program. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit One-Year MBA classes and discuss the program with current participants and alumni.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Student life.

Ranging from career clubs for professional networking, community outreach, diversity and affinity groups, and social and athletic organizations, iMBA students are able to expand their network to other USC Marshall MBA graduate programs and corporate contacts. Club activities take place during the day, evenings and weekends, and can include networking opportunities, social events and company visits.

iMBA Program students are encouraged to join and broaden their networks. Club involvement and leadership positions are also a great way to demonstrate to recruiters one’s skills and commitment to a specific career industry or function. Learn more about each of the clubs at USC Marshall by visiting their web sites.

GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

ONE-YEAR MBA CURRICULUM

Academic overview.

In order to graduate, students take 56 units over 12 months starting in June. (In the Two-Year MBA, students take 63 units over 20 months). Your 56 units are comprised of 17 units of Required courses (non-waivable), 21 units of functional Core courses (you may waive out of a core course and substitute it with an elective), and 18 units of Elective courses. Students can customize their program that best suit their needs.

This intensive double-time program begins in late June 2024 and ends in late June 2025. It begins with a required one-week transition program to assist international and domestic participants to understand the strategic importance of communications and interpersonal effectiveness. The transition program includes communications skill-building, team building, and activities for the participants to get to know each other and to better understand cultural differences among the classmates.

Required Courses

Core Courses (non-waivable) GSBA 523 COMMUNICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT Units: 3 GSBA 529 STRATEGIC FORMULATION FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Units: 3 GSBA 543 MANAGERIAL PERSPECTIVES Units: 3 GSBA 583 The Global Context of Business (IELP) Units: 2 GSBA 584 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTING PROJECT Units: 3 FBE 529 Financial Analysis and Valuation Units: 3

Functional Courses (available for challenge waiver exams) GSBA 510 ACCOUNTING CONCEPTS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING Units: 3 GSBA 524 DATA SCIENCE FOR BUSINESS Units: 3 GSBA 511 MICROECONOMICS FOR MANAGEMENT Units: 3 GSBA 528 MARKETING MANAGEMENT Units: 3 GSBA 534 OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Units: 3 GSBA 548 CORPORATE FINANCE Units: 3 GSBA 549 THE FIRM IN THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY Units: 3

Complete a selection of graduate business elective courses (500-level ACCT, BAEP, BUCO, DSO, FBE, GSBA, MKT or MOR courses) sufficient to bring the total units completed to at least 56.

Get the flexibility and choice you need to pursue the career of your choice! The curriculum has been designed keeping in mind the needs of mid-career professionals who would like the option to pursue a specialization that will advance the career outcomes they are seeking, while retaining the unique cohort experience of the iMBA Program. Whether a student is looking to make a career change or wanting to advance in their industry, the iMBA curriculum will help them create their own unique experience.

12-Month Classic With Flexibility - This is designed for individuals with an engineering or science background. It is designed for someone who may want to transition into a business career in the future.
12-Month with Additional Personalization – This option allows for maximum flexibility and is designed for students looking to create a specialization in an area of their choice. Applicants with extensive academic background, professional certifications, and applicable professional experiences may waive required courses, substituting these with elective courses offered by the Marshall School and other USC graduate programs that are available to Marshall students.

iMBA students also have the option to add certificate programs in numerous areas of specialization such as Business Analytics, Financial Analysis & Valuation and Supply Chain Management.

Capstone: International Business Consulting Project (IBCP)

The capstone course of the program is a 3-unit International Business Consulting Project (IBCP), completed in Terms 4 & 5. IBCP is a unique hands-on learning experience, which is based on a 4-month business consulting engagement. Teams of iMBA students work with their IBCP clients to build strategies and develop solutions for one their client’s key business issues.

IBCP may involve international and domestic research travel, depending on client's needs.. Each project requires deep analysis which is grounded in field research. The idea is to impart practical learning of executive decision making skills in a real-world business environment.

IBCP clients include Fortune 1000 companies, small and medium sized firms, and startups. One-Year MBA students have executed over 250 IBCP projects on topics such as market entry, market growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain management, finance, etc. in the U.S., Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Each student team is guided by a faculty practitioner with global consulting expertise.

Scholarships

TAMBA (Thohir Marshall MBA) & SAMBA (Soeryadjaya Marshall MBA) Scholarships provide two scholarships to exceptional candidates from Indonesia. Scholarships include full tuition and living allowance. For more information, click here .

WHY MARSHALL - One-Year MBA

Program showcase: ibear, news + events, news: two indonesian organizations each establish $1m scholarships.

DEAN GEOFFREY GARRET was in Jakarta to memorialize two $1M scholarships for Indonesian students aspiring to enroll in the IBEAR program at USC Marshall.

News: Dean Garrett in Jakarta to Announce the TAMBA Scholarship

The Mochamad Thohir Foundation and the USC Indonesian Alumni Foundation are establishing a $1M scholarship for IBEAR students from Indonesia.

News: Marshall and the Mochamad Thohir Foundation Establish the TAMBA Scholarship

DEAN GEOFFREY GARRETT was on hand in Jakarta to announce the $1M scholarship for 5 Indonesian students entering the IBEAR program.

News: The Mochamad Thohir Foundation Establishes $1M Scholarship for Incoming IBEAR Students

DEAN GEOFFREY GARRETT joined the Mochamad Thohir Foundation and the Alumni Foundation of USC Indonesia to announce the landmark opportunity.

Quoted: Marco Aponte-Moreno in U.S. News & World Report

APONTE-MORENO , professor of clinical management and organization, makes the case for a generalist approach at the outset for MBA students while maintaining an open mind should a specialization call to an individual.

STAY CONNECTED

213-740-7846 EMAIL USC Marshall MBA Admissions 630 Childs Way, JKP 308 Los Angeles, CA 90089-2633

PROGRAM OFFICE

213-740-7140 EMAIL Marshall School of Business 3670 Trousdale Parkway, BRI 104 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0802

Stay Informed + Stay Connected

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USC Marshall MBA Essays: Tips for 2022-2023
USC / Marshall MBA Essay Tips 2022-2023
Tuesday Tips: USC Marshall Application Essays, Tips for 2021-2022
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USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022
USC Marshall Essay Prompts and Analysis

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COMMENTS

Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) Admissions
Essay Questions: 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. ... Make sure that the information provided on the USC Marshall application —name, date of birth, city and country of birth, and country of ...
USC Marshall Essay Examples & Tips, 2023-2024
September 16, 2023. Jeremy Shinewald. The University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business takes a very traditional approach to its application essay questions. For the first required essay, applicants must detail their immediate short-term career goal—without much elaboration, given the submission's mere 100-word limit.
USC / Marshall MBA Essay Tips 2023-2024
USC / Marshall MBA Essay Tips 2023-2024. The following essay topic analysis examines USC / Marshall School of Business (Marshall) MBA admissions essays for the 2023-2024 admissions season. You can also review essay topic analyses for other leading MBA programs as well as general Essay Tips to further aid you in developing your admissions essays.
Tuesday Tips: USC Marshall Application Essays, Tips for 2023-2024
The USC Marshall School of Business reflects the diversity and dynamism of the Los Angeles area. These USC Marshall application essays allow you the space to express how you will fit into the community. Though Marshall is a community of its own, the larger USC Trojan Family is an integral part of the school's identity and offers additional academic opportunities for MBA students.
USC Marshall MBA Essays: Tips for 2023-2024
The USC Marshall career goals essay provides applicants with a place to let the USC admissions committee know how the MBA program you want to attend will help you achieve your professional goals, including an intended position, function, and industry. This USC MBA essay is a great place to explain why USC is truly the best fit for you.
USC Marshall MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
USC Marshall Essay Prompts (2023-2024) For the 2023-2024 application cycle, USC Marshall has provided the following essay prompts: "Describe why you are interested in pursuing an MBA at USC Marshall, and how will the USC Marshall MBA program help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals?"
International MBA (IBEAR) Admissions
The USC Marshall International MBA (affectionately known by alumni as IBEAR) is an accelerated, one-year, full-time, international program for mid-career professionals. ... letter of recommendation, and application essays. Applicants must have completed a minimum of six years of full-time work, military, or graduate study prior to the start of ...
USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022
Along with academic excellence, the USC Marshall MBA program is characterized by a powerful global network with special emphasis on the Pacific Rim, a close-knit and passionate community, and a strong regional presence. Your essays should show how you will both fit in and contribute to this dynamic environment, and the questions provide interesting opportunities to do so.
USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022
USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 - 2023] Along with academic excellence, the USC Marshall MBA program is characterized by a powerful global network with special emphasis on the Pacific Rim, a close-knit and passionate community, and a strong regional presence. Your essays should show how you will both fit in and ...
USC Marshall Application Essays for 2022-2023
The post USC Marshall Application Essays for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. stacyblackman Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs.
USC Marshall Application Essays for 2023-2024
Meanwhile, the USC Marshall application essays remain unchanged for the 2023-2024 admissions season. 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. (word limit: 100) Essay #2 (Required)
USC Marshall School of Business
The following essay topic analysis examines USC / Marshall School of Business (Marshall) MBA admissions essays for the 2023-2024 admissions season. You can also review essay topic analyses for other leading MBA programs as well as general Essay Tips to further aid you in developing your admissions essays. 2023-2024 USC Marshall MBA Essay Tips ...
USC Marshall MBA
USC Marshall Sample Essays - 1. Marshall 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. (word limit: 100) I have been associated with Unilever for more than five years now.
Free USC Marshall MBA Essay Samples
Free USC Marshall MBA Essay SamplesThe USC Marshall School of Business is the business school of the University of Southern California. The following MBA essays were written by ARINGO MBA candidates who got accepted to USC Marshall School of Business MBA program over the past few years. ...
How to Write the USC Supplemental Essays 2023-2024
All Applicants Prompt 1: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections (250 words). Prompt 2 (optional): Starting with the beginning of high school/secondary school, if you have had a gap where you were not enrolled in school during a fall or spring term ...
Full-Time MBA (FTMBA)
The Trojan family, known for its strong network, includes more than 450,000 alumni, where 90,000+ are from the Marshall School. Our campus community includes a world-class faculty, high performing students and a dedicated professional staff. Our Full-Time MBA is a two-year on-campus program. Ranked as a Top MBA program and STEM Certified. Learn ...
Elektrostal
In 1938, it was granted town status. [citation needed]Administrative and municipal status. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Elektrostal Urban Okrug.
Undergraduate Programs
The Marshall Pathways Program (MPP) is the first Undergraduate Admissions initiative designed to provide inclusive support for prospective transfer students throughout the application process and the first year of matriculation. The Marshall Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach Office partners with USC's Enrollment Services Division to ...
Moscow Oblast
Moscow Oblast ( Russian: Моско́вская о́бласть, Moskovskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia. It is located in western Russia, and it completely surrounds Moscow. The oblast has no capital, and oblast officials reside in Moscow or in other cities within the oblast. [1] As of 2015, the oblast has a population of 7,231,068 ...
Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery and Museum
Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar ...
World Bachelor in Business (WBB)
Students applying through the USC Application Channel are encouraged to contact the USC Marshall School of Business, Office of Undergraduate Admissions for assistance and program information. Applicants are evaluated on the content and rigor of their high school coursework, their grades, standardized test scores, activities summary, essay and ...
PDF 7-30-07 revised Gen'l Affidavit
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT Russian Federation..... ) Moscow Oblast ..... ) City of Moscow.....
ONE-YEAR MBA (IBEAR)
IBEAR. The One-Year MBA is an accelerated, one-year, full-time, international program for mid-career professionals. This program is also known as the International Education and Research (IBEAR) MBA. The program immerses participants in the complexities of international business and includes a four-month consulting project that involves close ...

USC Marshall School of Business Essay Tips and Examples

USC Marshall 2023–2024 Essay Tips

Essay #2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee.” (word limit: 600)

Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

Essay #4 (Required for all candidates requesting a test waiver) – Test Waiver Essay – Please submit a brief statement that summarizes why you believe you qualify for a test waiver. (word limit: 200)

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USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

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Marshall Essay 2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

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