Calling All Fall 2011 USC Marshall Applicants!

I agree with Java although I do recongnize some valid points about the "it's who you know" concept. I do think the bottom line is- USC's MBA program is probably not worth 100K more than GT. Because that is essentially what you are looking at in loans for tuition and cost of living expenses. Avg. starting salary post grad is 85K for GT and 93K for USC...so although you will earn approx. 10K more per year starting out from USC, you will also be 100K in debt, so that is a huge consideration too. I think you should just focus on getting an entertainment industry internship in LA over the summer between your first and second year. Then you can make good business contacts and still get a free MBA. Plus most job opportunies separate qualifications between undergrad and graduate degrees. I have seen plenty of postings that specify MBA degree preferred. I have seen none that say MBA degree from top 25 school preferred. I would go to GT on a free ride if I were the one choosing, but that's me.

I've just been accepted to Marshall's PM program and UCI FEMBA. I've loved my experience at UCI so far but am conflicted now that I've gotten into Marshall which I wasn't expecting. Any suggestions/advice about making a decision?

You just got the call today? Congrats. I would go with your heart. If you like UCI then go to UCI. Just because marshall is a better name doesn't mean you should go. UCI is a smaller program and you can probably get closer with fellow students.

Congrats. No matter how difficult the decision its nice to have the options.

If you don't mind me asking when did you get your application in?

Thanks! Got my application in for R3 (think I submitted on March 30). Submitted the video on May 6th and got the phone call today. It's a great problem to have but it's such a tough choice for me!

Cool thanks. And congrats again

We are talking about Georgia Tech and not Georgetown, right? I just think that if you're looking to get into an industry that is so concentrated in one city, going to school across the country, without specific ties to that industry, puts you at such a disadvantage. Also, entertainment in particular is an industry where who you know and connections matter much more than others (consulting and banking being ones where school name is huge). I went to USC for undergrad and I have former classmates who've told me that a lot of jobs in entertainment are never posted online and are instead filled through a network of contacts. I'm obviously not saying school name is everything, clearly an individual's personal traits and drive will play a huge role throughout your career, but the drawbacks are enough to make you really think carefully. And, I have seen job postings that specify top MBA programs - besides, even if they don't specify, what makes you think people don't take that into consideration?

Thank you everyone for replying. I just got a call from USC yesterday letting me know about my acceptance. I called the office to find out funding but it looks like most of that is taken up so late in the process. So now my dilemma is if USC is worth the $160K debt that I will incur in the course of 2 years vs a close to nothing since I do have a full tuition scholarship. I feel lucky that I have options but its a really tough decisions.

Congrats undecidedoc! I am still waiting for a decision, applied round 3 MBA.PM.

Just got the phone call, accepted for MBA.PM, R3! I applied in March.

i guess they're now calling the admitted students... knowing that makes me check my phone every second. Just one question, USC vs. Pepperdine with full scholoarship, what would you do?

Just got the call an hour ago...admitted to the full time program!!

This has been a roller coaster of a day - first dinged by McCombs then an hour later USC saves the day.

Yayyy, congrats fellow MBA 2013 Trojan!




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Hello BMR21, Do you mind sharing your profile, please?

US/29/Male, GMAT: 670, GPA: 3.6 from highly ranked liberal arts school. 5 years big 4 audit, 1 year financial reporting.

Got the call yesterday morning that I was accepted into the PM program!

I also got into Pepperdine and got a partial scholarship, but I'm leaning heavily towards USC.

Good luck to everyone!

R3 applicant. R3 Ding.