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USC Marshall 2012 - Calling All Applicants

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toriburu

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03 Dec 2011, 17:28

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Can a current student clarify the differences between concentrations and certificates? Thanks!

CyberC1

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03 Dec 2011, 22:33

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Toriburu:

Certificates are actual programs of record that get entered into your USC transcript. For example, if you were to do a Certificate in Technology Commercialization, it would show up on your transcript as another "degree" that is awarded to you upon graduation. You have to apply separately for the certificate programs (no application fees if you're already a student).

Concentrations are unofficial ways to structure your program while at USC Marshall. You can have specific tracks that you tailor your coursework to, but it'll never appear on a transcript or official documentation as to what track you're on. In fact, because USC is a general management program there are no official concentrations to speak of. As an example, one could say that I'm "concentrating" in entrepreneurship because I'm taking a lot of entrepreneurship classes. I don't put that on my resume and it doesn't show up anywhere, although I may reference the fact that I'm taking those classes in interviews etc.

Hope this helps!

toriburu

Can a current student clarify the differences between concentrations and certificates? Thanks!

toriburu

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03 Dec 2011, 23:13

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CyberC1

very helpful thanks!

illadelmike

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04 Dec 2011, 21:30

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Probably, I did it anyway. Got an invite. Another school with a similar format suggested putting that stuff in the resume, so im sure they are used to that, so its probably not much extra reading for them.

I called, and my impression was that section was for other programs to use. so dont abuse it.

scielle

I have a question about the "Additional Documents" section of the app.
Do you think it's a faut-pas to upload some info about extracurricular activities? The app doesn't seem to have any space to talk about these, and I feel they're a KEY part of my profile, so my app would be incomplete without this info.

The "Additional Documents" section says "You may use this area to upload additional documents and information to support your application", which to me seems like an invitation to provide supplementary info. They don't seem to limit it to transcripts/ degree certificates. Am I reading this correctly?

johnnyGMAT2k10

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05 Dec 2011, 10:31

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Hi Marshall applicants! FYI if you're applying through the Consortium Graduate Study in Management (CGSM), hop over to the Consortium 2012 Forum and Update Your Profile to reflect that you are applying through the Consortium.

It's simple. Just select your school as "Consortium, the", then indicate which specific institution(s) you'll be applying to and the Consortium round you'll be applying in. You can do all of this easily through the handy 'Add to Your Schools' link on the front page of the Consortium 2012 Forum.

We have a special analytics specifically for those candidates applying via Consortium and lots of useful tips for your application and assessment of your candidacy.

Cheers!

jhays

Joined: 19 Sep 2011

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Concentration: International Business, Marketing

Schools: Marshall '14 (M$) Booth '14 (D) HBS '14 (D) Sloan '14 (D) Wharton '14 (D) Fuqua '14 (D) Ross '14 (WL) Anderson '14 (A)

GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V48 Verified score

GPA: 3.33

WE:Marketing (Manufacturing)

Schools: Marshall '14 (M$) Booth '14 (D) HBS '14 (D) Sloan '14 (D) Wharton '14 (D) Fuqua '14 (D) Ross '14 (WL) Anderson '14 (A)

GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V48 Verified score

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06 Dec 2011, 11:24

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Interview set for lucky Friday the 13th. Any current students or fellow applicants wanna hit the 9-0 afterward?

ebonn101

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07 Dec 2011, 09:49

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Anybody know the historical acceptance rate of interviewed applicants?

SuitUp

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07 Dec 2011, 20:13

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ebonn101

Anybody know the historical acceptance rate of interviewed applicants?

This is from Businessweek for the class of 2013:
Applications (admitted and denied) to the newest class: 1,826
Applicants who were accepted to the most recent class: 27 %
Applicants (admitted and denied) who were interviewed: 60 %

Interviewed: 1,096
Accepted: 493
Rate: about 45%

Some additional info: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/mba/admissions/profile

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Fight On!

ebonn101

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08 Dec 2011, 04:04

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Thanks a lot!

ruchi2012

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09 Dec 2011, 22:32

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Hello,
Was looking to see if any current students can guide how IBEAR is different from regular MBA? Is it different campus altogether? Anybody you know of there who I can contact? My concentration is Consulting and General Mgmt.

BlueRobin

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09 Dec 2011, 22:55

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Hey,

IBEAR allows you to engage in an international tour, which allows you to work on international projects.

You should contact the Admissions for specific details, and someone will personally guide you through its advantages.

CyberC1

Current Student

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11 Dec 2011, 13:53

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I think the differences are a little more nuanced than that. All MBA students at USC Marshall, whether you're in the IBEAR, Full-time, or Part-time program are required to go on an international tour/consulting project for a foreign company. The IBEAR program is much more structured & fast-paced as its only a one year program.

To be honest I don't know much about the IBEAR program (although we all hang out together we don't really talk about the specifics of our programs). We do complain about homework and talk about what we used to do/want to do in the future...

Would love to hang with prospectives coming in for interviews, but I'm leaving town tomorrow and won't be back until school starts! Check out the Admissions Ambassadors and see if there're any students sticking around town.

ruchi2012

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12 Dec 2011, 09:36

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Thanks CyberC1. Could you let me know what electives should I take for pursuing Consulting in Retail (likes of Kurt Salmon)? Anybody I can connect to with background in CPG/Retail (consumer packaged goods) and wants to purue consulting career in future.

CyberC1

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14 Dec 2011, 01:16

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Hmm... I'm not too familiar with electives in that domain. I think your best bet is to go over and take a look at the admission ambassador profiles and find someone that has a similar background to what you indicated below. The ambassadors have their previous industry and intended industry listed as well as their email, so if you find someone that you are interested in chatting with feel free to hit them up. You should be able to locate the admissions ambassadors here: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/mba/admissions/visit

ruchi2012

SuitUp

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14 Dec 2011, 09:53

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ruchi2012

Okay, let me take a stab at that. As far as retail electives go, there is one called Retail Strategy that I wanted to take next semester but it did not fit in my schedule. I am pretty sure you can find additional related classes in the Course Book. In general, if you want to do consulting (Retail/CPG or not) you have to focus on your case interview skills. You can take strategy classes but the key really is to practice on your own. Then hopefully you will land a gig with a consulting firm that covers the retail sector.

goingmba

Joined: 27 Dec 2011

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27 Dec 2011, 21:09

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Trying to push through the essays. Anyone know what kind of stories work best for USC?

nycgirl222

Joined: 31 Dec 2011

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31 Dec 2011, 13:59

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Hi everyone,

How have the interviews been going? Does anyone have any anecdotes that would help me to prepare? Were there any questions out of left field or does the interview consist mostly of behavioral questions and questions about goals for b-school? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

SuitUp

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01 Jan 2012, 08:22

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nycgirl222

Your interview experience could vary depending on the interviewer. My interview at Marshall was fairly straightforward. Make sure you are prepared for the standard questions - Why MBA, Why now, Why Marshall, career goals... It is very important to come across genuine and sincere. It could never hurt to demonstrate passion for the school - after all you are trying to become a member of the most tight-knit network in the world.

Happy New Year!

ebonn101

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01 Jan 2012, 09:20

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nycgirl222

I'm interested to hear the same. Especially since I heard somewhere that now USC is not doing blind interviews anymore, but, rather, more informed interviews where the Adcom has read thru your entire file, a la HBS, etc.

MIXEDin86

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05 Jan 2012, 18:33

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ebonn101

nycgirl222

I had my interview with Marshall today so I figured I'd chime in. My interview was very conversational and was actually with two Adcoms, which was a bit of a surprise. All the expected questions: What do you do now? Why Marshall? What is your leadership style? What do your bosses love about you?...the flow was very good and non-ackward. They told me upfront that one interviewer had read my application and one had not. But, there were not any application specific questions that I can remember, so it still felt like a blind interview. All in all, I left the interview feeling very positive and liking Marshall even more than I already did. I hope the feeling was mutual. lol. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.