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anstance5
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 03 Mar 2010, 10:49
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Dawgie
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The interview is my weakest area and I am scared. I'm making a dry run to USC in about 5 hours so that I'm familiar with the campus.

My stats:

3.638 cumulative gpa
3.905 major gpa (economics, ucsd); econ3 TA for 2 quarters.
700 gmat, 5 awa
i think my 2 recommendations are pretty good
interview: TO BE DETERMINED :!: dun dun dunnnnn

USC is the only school i've applied to. this is do or die basically. i'll let you guys know of my defeat/victory.


Those are fairly good stats. Yah, the Cum GPA could be a little higher (GPAs count *a lot* for both MSAcc and Big4). Yah, USC Marshall is Top10. But you're in the ballpark >> a solid interview coupled with compelling essays and stories should seal the deal. Your resume / GPA / scores are just one part of the package >> 2/3 speak for themselves (major GPA, Gmat) at this point. The main thing is to now sell yourself to the program -- keep confidence up, know the program cold and know what you want to get out of it, and go in with your head held high.

He doesn't have to sell anything, did you even look at the class profile? He's above average in all stats.
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Agreed >> the numbers are good. But having passed through one of the Top10 programs and worked for a Big4, what I described is what I saw in my experience. A lot of it is presentation and confidence -- goes further than many realise if they aren't sure about some aspects of their application.

Regarding "selling," unfortunately I've also found that sales is just part of human interaction. You have to "sell yourself" constantly at work, even more so now with a recession. You have to "sell your application" to MBA or other educational programs. At my Big4 job, it was common knowledge that partners basically had to "sell" the services of the firm to prospective clients for most of the time (to justify their multiple-hundred-dollar billable hours). Even in quantitative fields like commercial loan work and investment banking, "selling" eventually becomes part of the job with increasing responsibility. Trust me, I hate sales as much as the next non-sales orientated person, but it is what it is (at least based on what I've seen)....
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 03 Mar 2010, 20:11
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abhattac5


Agreed >> the numbers are good. But having passed through one of the Top10 programs and worked for a Big4, what I described is what I saw in my experience. A lot of it is presentation and confidence -- goes further than many realise if they aren't sure about some aspects of their application.

Regarding "selling," unfortunately I've also found that sales is just part of human interaction. You have to "sell yourself" constantly at work, even more so now with a recession. You have to "sell your application" to MBA or other educational programs. At my Big4 job, it was common knowledge that partners basically had to "sell" the services of the firm to prospective clients for most of the time (to justify their multiple-hundred-dollar billable hours). Even in quantitative fields like commercial loan work and investment banking, "selling" eventually becomes part of the job with increasing responsibility. Trust me, I hate sales as much as the next non-sales orientated person, but it is what it is (at least based on what I've seen)....
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That's nice but I never said selling wasn't important. I was talking solely from a stats perspective. I'm well aware of how important presentation and confidence is after getting laid off from Big 4 and bouncing back asap in this economy. His stats are very good relative to the class profile, and if he's not international he's got a pretty good shot.
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 05 Mar 2010, 03:59
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Hey guys, I applied USC Macc 1/8 but heard nothing so far.

Does USC send accept or reject letter by mail? or email?

And do they conduct interview to international students who live outside of U.S?

I took GMAT again after I applied and got higher score. Then I asked USC if they receive my new GMAT score, but they never reply my email.
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 05 Mar 2010, 10:27
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ows1982
Hey guys, I applied USC Macc 1/8 but heard nothing so far.

Does USC send accept or reject letter by mail? or email?

And do they conduct interview to international students who live outside of U.S?

I took GMAT again after I applied and got higher score. Then I asked USC if they receive my new GMAT score, but they never reply my email.
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They do tend to take a while to respond to emails... so if you've only recently sent it, give it time.

I'm not sure about international students - but I live on the other side of the country from USC and they let me do a phone interview. I received my interview invite, as well as my acceptance and scholarship decision via email first, followed by mail.

Hope that helps!
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 06 Mar 2010, 21:19
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Hey guys you need to be patient with the admissions office. I'm sure Shirley, Cathy, and the rest of the Masters Program staff are busy trying to take care of all potential incoming students and current students as well. Given the increased popularity in the program (I am told the applications so far this year are already higher than last year) I wouldn't expect a quick turn around in questions compared to the past.
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wanghuaxia
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 07 Mar 2010, 12:12
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Hi everyone I am new to this forum. I just got an email from Shirley about setting up a campus visit to discuss about my goal and how it fit with the program. Any suggestion and advices for the interview?

Dress code?
What to bring?
What questions should I expect?
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soniam
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 08 Mar 2010, 19:33
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Quote:
Dress code?
What to bring?
What questions should I expect?
Show more

Hi Wang Huaxia,
Best of luck to you! I had my interview last month. I dressed up formal/business (suit, shiny shoes). Brought a purse and a padfolio w- my resume. Seems like the other interviewees were doing the same; but I wouldn't worry about the details of what to bring, as long as you look presentable. My questions were -

why accounting?
what are you doing at your current job?
what did you do at your past job that made you want to focus on accounting?
how did you like your undergrad/major?

cheers
- S
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wanghuaxia
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 09 Mar 2010, 12:04
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Thank you sonia! i received the email from Shirley Maxey about setting up the campus visit on last sunday, and i replied her. Until now she hasn't gotten back to me. I called her office, but no one was there.

Will you be notified about your admission status right away after the interview?
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shannondu10
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 09 Mar 2010, 17:31
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wanghuaxia
Thank you sonia! i received the email from Shirley Maxey about setting up the campus visit on last sunday, and i replied her. Until now she hasn't gotten back to me. I called her office, but no one was there.

Will you be notified about your admission status right away after the interview?
Show more

I was notified informally at the end of my interview that I was accepted. 3 or 4 days later I was emailed by formal decision, then received a packet in the mail about a week later.
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soniam
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 10 Mar 2010, 18:42
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shannondu10


I was notified informally at the end of my interview that I was accepted. 3 or 4 days later I was emailed by formal decision, then received a packet in the mail about a week later.
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My process was about the same as Shannon's.
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ows1982
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 13 Mar 2010, 19:06
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finally, i got mail from USC.
i haven't gotten any mail from USC since I submitted application in december.
"Your college transcript is missed"
cool huh?
but absolutely better than rejection mail.
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ccn
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 16 Mar 2010, 17:26
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So I had my interview last tuesday with Shirley Maxey.
She kinda scared me, but overall I think it went ok. I mean she kept hinting that I would get in, and I would be happy with her answer, and I would do well in the program. But I didn't get a definite confirmation. She said she would hold on to my application for a week and talk with Cathy and a Jean (?), when they get back from conducting interviews in China.

Well I am feeling a bit impatient and extremely nervous! Its been a week and I haven't heard anything yet...

when do you guys think that it would be ok for me to check back. And who should I contact, Shirley who did my interview, or Cathy who I have talked to before regarding my application?

Thanks!!
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 17 Mar 2010, 10:25
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ccn
So I had my interview last tuesday with Shirley Maxey.
She kinda scared me, but overall I think it went ok. I mean she kept hinting that I would get in, and I would be happy with her answer, and I would do well in the program. But I didn't get a definite confirmation. She said she would hold on to my application for a week and talk with Cathy and a Jean (?), when they get back from conducting interviews in China.

Well I am feeling a bit impatient and extremely nervous! Its been a week and I haven't heard anything yet...

when do you guys think that it would be ok for me to check back. And who should I contact, Shirley who did my interview, or Cathy who I have talked to before regarding my application?

Thanks!!
Show more


let us know if you have any result. i didnt get an immediate offer too last week. but USC is my top choice among other schools i applied due to family and business reason. I am worried about the result now. if i cant get in i have to go to the east coast.
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 17 Mar 2010, 10:47
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so after much much debate...I decided to call the school.

Cathy and Jean (?) the other person, I can't exactly remember her name. I think she is filling in for Sara who was pregnant earlier this year...

anyways the person I talked too said that they won't be back from conducting interviews in China, till either later on tonight or tomorrow night. But they might be jetlagged, so maybe final decisions will not be sent out till next week.

So hang in there guys!! I know what its like! I will keep you updated if I hear anything else
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zhoujing0323
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 19 Mar 2010, 10:47
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Still No Update. It seems we have to wait till next week.
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grad2010
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 22 Mar 2010, 13:28
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How soon after submitting your application did you get an interview?
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ppt5431
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared Updated on: 22 Mar 2010, 20:26
Originally posted by ppt5431 on 22 Mar 2010, 14:55.
Last edited by ppt5431 on 22 Mar 2010, 20:26, edited 1 time in total.
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I have been waiting for 2 months and no news so far. So I called Marshall this morning and the lady said that we are still processing. Ah.....
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grad2010
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 22 Mar 2010, 15:20
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ppt5431
I have been waiting for 2 months and no news so far. So I called Marshall this moring and the lady said that we are still processing. Ah.....
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Are your stats above average?
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ccn
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 23 Mar 2010, 14:18
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Thanks guys for all your advice! Just found out I got into USC!

I e-mailed Shirley, and she told me. Then I found the official acceptance online!
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USC MACC interview coming up--pretty scared 23 Mar 2010, 16:34
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Thats awesome ccn! Congrats!

How long is it taking USC to invite you for the interview after you apply? I completed my application on March 1 and haven't heard from them yet and I'm getting a little nervous. My stats aren't really great or really bad, just kind of in the middle.

GPA
UC San Diego 3.6
San Diego CC 3.14 (I was a transfer student)
Cumulative around 3.35

GMAT 680 (90% verbal/60%quant)
4.5 AWA

How long did it take you guys to hear from USC regarding the interview invite or rejection notice : (
How do my stats look?
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