USC Marshall 2011 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips

USC Marshall 2011 MBA Essay Questions

This USC Marshall 2011 MBA Application tip post is one of a series of posts providing MBA application and essay advice for applicants to top MBA programs around the world. You can access the entire series at https://blog.accepted.com/acceptedcom_blog/tag/2011-mba-application-tips. My tips for answering Marshall's essay questions are in blue below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4) Optional Essay: Please add any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in evaluating your application. (250 words)

Please see "The Optional Essay: To Be or Not to Be."

For Re-Applicants:

If you applied within the past two years, please answer the following:
1) What steps have you taken to strengthen your application since your last submission? Also, please reiterate your short term & long term goals.

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

Show that you have grown since your last application. Reveal that you have addressed weaknesses. Demonstrate increased leadership. Present evidence that you have improved enormously since your last application. For more information, please see:

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

For one-on-one guidance through the Marshall application process, please check out Accepted.com's USC Marshall Application Package or our other MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting.

USC Marshall 2011 MBA Deadlines

All application materials including official score reports must be received by the deadline at 12:00 AM Pacific Standard Time.

Applications can be submitted for one of the three application periods listed above. You may apply only once a year. Please note: If you are an international student, or want to be considered for a fellowship, the recommended application deadline is January 15, 2011.

By Linda Abraham, President and Founder of Accepted.com.