USC Marshall 2012 - Calling All Applicants

I want to get into CPG marketing post MBA.. I have been told USC Marketing is stronger but then UCLA ranking is generally higher.. hence confused!

It's worth asking where you want to work after school. UCLA generally has a stronger reputation nationwide, but USC has a stronger network in SoCal. If there's a specific company you want to work for, see if there are any hires out of either school. Like was said before, UCLA is generally ranked higher than USC, but they are both top tier schools (USC is even ranked higher than UCLA in The Economist ranking). The culture matters a lot too. Visit both schools and see which you are more comfortable with.

My original query should have been more elaborate. Want to get into CPG Marketing, won't stay in SoCal but most likely the Bay Area at least for the next 3-5 years after MBA. Long term, may move to Singapore, Hong Kong or somewhere in South East Asia.. I heard from someone that USC has stronger presence in SE Asia. As for attending the schools, I will go visit UCLA but it won't be the same as attending admit weekend at USC.

As for my target companies, I know they recruit at USC, I just need to figure out if they do at UCLA or not..

Both schools are pretty well represented in the Bay Area. USC does seem to have a little bit more clout in Southeast Asia. Although that depends on who you talk to. If you know that the company you want to work for hires out of USC, that's a big plus. Find out if they hire out of UCLA too. I'm probably going to go to USC (I've been accepted to USC and UCLA's FEMBA), because USC is stronger in the industry that I want to go into than UCLA. I can tell you that UCLA has a much nicer campus and is in a much nicer area of town.

question for you guyz.

usc pm or uci full-time?

Are you going to stay at the same company? Same industry? Same function? If not, then I'd recommend the full time program. Have you been accepted to Merage? I'm still waitlisted.. =/

BTW - My husband graduated from Merage full time in '07. Things have changed since, and it is looking good.

Received an email today from adcom member notifying me that AY status has changed: MBA Wait List. =/ Looks like I have 9 more days to wait..and to turn this around! *crossing fingers*

Anyone else?

going to merage, unless marshall pans out, then i'll have some serious thinking to do...

Waitlisted as well. 9 days to turn it around? Did they mention they'll let us know in 9 days?

If we send them more info, we do we send it to? The general MBA admission email?

At least you'll be in a better neighborhood haha. I'm probably leaving Irvine to go to Marshall.

Current Marshall full time student who got in off the wait-list last year. I know it is really painful waiting so I thought I'd share what my experience was to give some perspective.

I was wait-listed from R1 with no interview. I had excellent GMAT's, no grades but graduated with honors in Math and History (UCSC from before they issued), non-traditional background career switcher, older than average.

I got an interview the last week of May, and was admitted the last week of June.

I sent 2 replies in regards to the wait-list, one after I was notified to let them know I was still interested and give a update on a career achievement, one after R3 to let them know I was still very interested.

People literally do get admitted right up until orientation, however, I think chances might be better if you applied earlier.

Hi, expatcominghome. I am one international applicant in waitlist still since round2. I have sent 4 mails (long mails about my thoughts on management) to my interviewer (AD officer) after this decision. However, I've never got feedback. But in one call, she encouraged me to keep sending email to tell her what I want them to know. Did you receive replies after sending your mail last year? I can't understand why they just don't reply email. Thx a lot~

Who did you guys email? The person you interviewed with? Or just the MBA admissions office lady?

My interviewer gave me her email address after the interview. I think it would be respectful to email her rather than others.

I say 9 days (June 1st) because in the email they sent us regarding the MBA.PM option, it said, "We expect that our full-time program will be at its maximum capacity by June 1." But like others had said, they can accept anyone up until Orientation. I aim for June 1st, though, for supplemental info deadline.



I emailed the interviewer for the thank you letter and questions, but when I talked to sheryl schreiber, she said to email the general email address. They will all look at it, print it, and put it in our file.

When I emailed the office, I only got a simple general reply back. They do have a ton of applicants, so I would think it is a lot of work to reply to each email. I would not overload them with info and emails. Focus on reiterating your interest in the program and include only significant accomplishments (like you just completed a project that saved $X, just given a promotion, etc)