2014 USC Leventhal MAcc/ MBT

applied couple weeks ago. the waiting is killing me

Hi! I just received my acceptance notification and have already paid my $500 deposit! I usually don't post to forums, but I have spent many sleepless hours reading through countless posts and forums on the admission process for USC's MBT/MAcc program. And so, I hope to share my experience to "give back" to the forum community.

My Stats:
GMAT: 530, 600, 590 (Q about 46, V about 60-75, IR anywhere between 12%-82%, AWA 5)
GPA: 3.72
Work experience: about 5 1/2 years in public accounting (I have my CPA license for about a couple years)

I submitted my application on 1/09. I received an email to schedule an interview on 1/24. Interviewed on 2/07. Online decision posted 2/13.

Because of the workflow and demanding hours, I had to quit my job at the end of December to focus on my GMAT and on my application (essays). Before my interview, I re-visited my essays and my resume and couldn't believe how many grammar mistakes there were and how it just didn't "flow" right. A point off right there...

I had my interview with Cathy. She's really nice and really easy to connect with - very personable. But... I was still a nervous wreck. Even after preparing answers to typical questions, I didn't say what I wanted to say!!! >:( I didn't get to take the opportunity to show how I could be valuable asset or have leadership qualities... Plus, there was an awkward moment here and there from my responses. I only asked two questions, but somehow it sounded very top layer/superficial to me.

She asked:
1. Tell me about yourself. (I asked specifically what she would like to know since there's so much to speak about...) Specifically, why and how did you get or want to get into the profession?
2. Why a masters in tax? How will it help you?
3. What are your long term goals?

My interview lasted about 15 minutes. Very short. I noticed I didn't get a warm campus tour afterwards as many other interviewees did, and so, I started panicking and worrying over my interview.

I tossed and turned in bed... had nightmares about rejection...was depressed for a few days. Oh yeah, to add to the fire: I also received an email asking about whether I've taken pre-req courses... which I have, BUT it was done at a city college level. On their website, they said "We do not recommend community college or online program accounting courses as fulfillment of our upper-division prerequisites. These must be taken at an accredited 4-year college or university, or a university extension program in a live classroom setting." And yes, I had a sleepless night fearing rejection due to my courses at my local community college. With 50 slots for MBT/ 100 slots for MAcc, but over 1000 applicants, my chances looked slim. My GMAT was below their average of 650... in fact it's right on the line of 600. It's actually averaged to be below 600! My essay was rushed and could've been better! My interview was pretty bad as it was really short. My answers were not detailed enough and when asked to "tell me about yourself" I should've mentioned something about my work experience and my volunteer experience. I didn't really talk about those!

But I got in, and wanted to share this with future USC MAcc/MBT hopefuls! Even though you think your chances are slim, just go for it and apply! You might never know, you just might get accepted to the college of your dreams!

Thank you very much for your encouraging story :D It's really helpful and I can see part of mine in that.
finger crossed to everyone !!!

Hi Dreambig1990,

Quick question, did you get a response yet? and when did you apply? The person above got a response within 2 weeks and I have been waiting for 4 weeks.

I got an email from them saying they can't find my transcript~ I just re-order another one for them/ but I haven't heard any update yet~ it's about 3 weeks... I think swtbee8 got a good resume which makes him different from others ?

Hey dreambig, did you hear back from USC yet? I was given an opportunity to interview and I am waiting for the result. The wait is killing me...

be cool did you hear from other schools too?

I am IN , yahoooooo

Dreambig1990- yay!!!! See you in class

Hey guys/ Good luck to those applying!!
Questions to those accepted: Do you guys receive any letters? I didn't get any but an email and a congrats letter/ no package regarding enrollment/classes etc..
I changed my address and not sure if it's it or I missed some important letter at the old place.

Did anyones official transcripts get lost in the mail when they were sent to USC?

Today I got an e-mail saying that they were missing my transcript.

hi b00gigi,

yeah my official transcripts weren't sent to USC for some reason. i got that email yesterday too. also, during my interview, she told me that my transcripts were still missing. i checked with my school and they sent it to the correct address, so i'm not sure why it's missing. and it's missing from two of my schools, so either they gave me the wrong address or USC has some weird mailing system

i'm in! with $$$...gl to everyone else

Congrats! Btw, when did you have your interview?

I'm still waiting to hear back :[

interviewed 4/11, received a response to fill out my financial aid on 4/14...i took this as a sign that i was accepted. I checked the applyyourself portal and found out I was accepted as of 4/14/14 around 4 o clock

good luck everyone, i'm still thinking about attending lol

is anyone looking for roommates for the USC program? I don't start until Fall but I can start moving in June! i'm a cool dude xD

Hey guys,

I had my interview two weeks ago and haven't heard back until today. I got an email saying that a transcript is missing, but apparently its my high school. Is a high school transcript required in the application? Or is this just a mistake in the system?

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