USC Marshall Essay Topic Analysis 2011-2012
USC Marshall’s essay topics remain the same as those posed to applicants for the past several years, demonstrating the school’s continued interest in applicants’ contributions to their communities, international experiences, and personal growth. Let’s take a look at the questions asked for USC for the 2011-2012 application season:
Essay 1: What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will USC Marshall help you achieve these goals? If interested in a dual-degree program, please address in this essay. (750 words)
This essay is similar to the career goals essay required by many of the top schools. Although Marshall does not specifically ask for 250 words each on three distinct topics (short-term goals, long-term goals, and what will enable applicants to achieve these goals), it would be prudent for candidates to maintain a balanced approach to answering this question. Because Marshall does not specifically ask for a career history section, applicants should keep any description of their professional experience to a minimum, connecting it to their interest in and potential to achieve their goals. Taking the time to learn about the school’s special programs and extracurricular activities – whether through a visit to campus, conversation with alumni or reading the Clear Admit School Guide to USC Marshall School of Business – will pay dividends here.
Essay 2: How will other USC Marshall MBA students benefit from your background, experience, leadership and teamwork skills? (500 words)
Although many applicants end their career goals essay discussing the contributions they would make to a school’s program, USC Marshall’s new second essay question specifically asks candidates to address the ways in which they can give back to the school. This prompt is fairly broad, but applicants should remember to select unique information about their backgrounds, experiences, leadership and teamwork skills to help them stand out to the adcom. Rather than simply addressing how they will contribute to courses, applicants should think of other avenues through which their skills and past experiences would allow them to benefit their fellow students at USC Marshall, i.e. clubs, programs. In such a short essay, it’s probably best to focus your discussion to two or three topics. The emphasis on leadership and teamwork indicates that candidates focus their essay on benefiting other students through collaboration and effective leadership.
Essay 3: Select three from the following and describe: (250 words each)
a) A challenging international experience
b) A personal or professional setback
c) An entrepreneur you admire
d) Your family, including any ties to USC
e) Your most significant accomplishment
f) A situation where your professional ethics were challenged
Candidates have a wide range of topics they could consider discussing in response to this essay. Applicants should make sure to use both work and personal experiences in responding to these three prompts, as doing so will provide a well-rounded picture of their candidacy. Because of the limited word-count for this essay, economy of words will be key; applicants will likely want to state their topic and move right into an illustrative anecdote. Candidates with family connections to USC should feel comfortable mentioning the relationship in this essay through selecting option d.
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