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Quick Answer
The USC Marshall MBA essays typically include a career goals essay, short-answer prompts, and an optional essay. These questions are designed to assess your clarity of purpose, leadership potential, and fit with Marshall’s collaborative culture. Strong responses connect your goals to USC’s resources and provide context for your candidacy.
Keep reading to see the USC MBA essay prompts, learn what the admissions committee values, and discover tips to help you craft compelling essays.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- What Are the USC MBA Essay Questions?
- How Do You Write the USC Career Goals Essay?
- How Do You Answer USC Short-Answer Prompts?
- What Does USC Marshall Look For in MBA Essays?
- How Long Should USC MBA Essays Be?
- When Should You Write the USC Optional Essay?
- Tips for Writing Strong USC MBA Essays
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s Next
What Are the USC MBA Essay Questions?
USC Marshall’s MBA application includes the following essay prompts:
Essay #1 (Required)
What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from USC Marshall help you achieve those goals? Short-term career goals should be those you want to achieve within 3–5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term career goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (word limit: 400)
Essay #2 (Optional for New Applicants/Required for Reapplicants)
Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your candidacy for the MBA program. Reapplicants should provide any profile updates since your previous application. (word limit: 500)
KEY FACT:
USC Marshall’s MBA application has just 2 main essay prompts: the career goals essay and the optional essay.
How Do You Write the USC Career Goals Essay?
The USC MBA career goals essay is critical. In particular, Marshall’s MBA admissions committee wants to understand your career vision and goals immediately following your MBA and a few years later.
Here are a few strategies for writing successful USC MBA essays:
- Share your aspirations. Define what you’d like to achieve in the short and long term.
- Be specific about your goals. Identify a target role or function, company, and industry for each time frame.
- Connect your goals to Marshall. Discuss how classes, programs, extracurricular activities, and more will help you achieve your career goals.
Ultimately, you must discuss what you want to do — and where — in USC’s career goals essay. Research the program’s offerings so you can be specific about why USC is a strong fit for you. In addition, attend info sessions and talk with current students in your areas of interest.
TTP PRO TIP:
Be specific about your goals and how Marshall’s program offerings can help you achieve them.
How Do You Answer USC Short-Answer Prompts?
In addition to the required and optional essays, there are 2 optional short-answer fellowship essays. Here are the prompts:
The Forte Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development, and a community of successful women.” Are you interested in being considered for a Forte Fellowship (scholarship)? If yes, please provide us with information on how you have demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Forte Foundation.
Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “increase the influence of the LGBTQ+ community in business by educating, inspiring, and connecting MBA students and alumni.” Are you interested in being considered for a ROMBA Fellowship (scholarship)? If yes, please provide us with information on how you have demonstrated commitment to the mission of ROMBA.
If you’re interested in being considered for the Forte or ROMBA fellowships, this is your opportunity. However, you must show how you have supported the mission of either program. So, attend info sessions and research the Forte and ROMBA organizations. Then, determine whether you’re a fit for their programs.
The best essay responses reinforce your interest in the mission and are supported by examples. For instance, when have you supported women in the workplace and other settings? Additionally, when have you demonstrated support for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community?
These short answers are optional — you’re not required to write these essays if you’re not interested.
TTP PRO TIP:
Only write the short answer essays if you’re interested in being considered for the Forte or ROMBA fellowships.
What Does USC Marshall Look For in MBA Essays?
When reviewing USC Marshall application essays, the admissions committee looks for:
- Clarity of goals: Do you know where you want to take your career in the future?
- Need for an MBA: Do you understand how an MBA will help your career?
- Fit for the program: Can you articulate how you’re a strong fit for USC Marshall?
Finally, the best USC Marshall essays position you as a strong candidate for admission.
TTP PRO TIP:
In your essays, Marshall looks for clear goals, an understanding of how the program can help your career, and why you’re a good fit.
How Long Should USC MBA Essays Be?
The USC essay prompts have these limits:
- Career goals essay: maximum of 400 words
- Optional essay: maximum of 500 words
- Short answer essays: maximum of 200 characters
You do not need to max out the word count for any of these essays. Instead, answer the essay questions directly and specifically.
TTP PRO TIP:
Answer the essay prompts directly and specifically — there’s no need to max out the word counts.
When Should You Write the USC Optional Essay?
The USC application supplemental essays are truly optional for most candidates. Specifically, the optional essay is an opportunity to address:
- gaps in employment
- academic issues
- information not provided elsewhere
However, if you’re a re-applicant, you must provide an optional essay that discusses profile updates. For example, include new professional achievements and extracurricular activities, updated test scores, etc.
TTP PRO TIP:
Reapplicants should discuss improvements in their profile since they last applied.
Tips for Writing Strong USC MBA Essays
Here are some of our USC MBA essay tips:
- Start early. The more time you have to brainstorm and develop your essays, the better.
- Align with USC’s offerings. Ensure that your career goals essay connects with Marshall’s offerings and could only be written for the USC Marshall MBA program.
- Be authentic. Write about your true goals and ambitions, rather than what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
- Review and revise. Budget ample time to review and tweak your materials.
- Get a second opinion. Ask a friend or family member to review your essays for clarity. Alternatively, get expert help from a TTP MBA admissions consultant.
TTP PRO TIP:
Begin planning your essay well before the deadline to allow time for brainstorming and revising.
Key Takeaways
You must identify your career goals, demonstrate your fit for USC, and articulate why you need an MBA for the USC MBA application.
If you follow the tips and strategies in this article, you’ll create a great USC application!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What topics do the USC MBA essay prompts cover?
The USC MBA admissions essays ask about your short-term and long-term career goals and how an MBA from USC will help you achieve them. Additionally, the optional essay asks you to share additional information.
How long should USC MBA essays be?
The career goals essay should be a maximum of 400 words, whereas the optional essay has a limit of 500 words.
What does USC look for in MBA essays?
USC looks for clarity of goals, why you’re interested in pursuing an MBA, and how USC’s MBA will help you.
Do I have to write the optional USC essay?
The USC supplemental essays are not required for new applicants. However, if you’re re-applying, you must write an optional essay to discuss updates to your application.
How do I make my USC essays stand out?
Follow the advice in this article to ensure that you’re addressing the prompts and incorporating key themes.
What’s Next
The USC MBA essays are straightforward and should make a strong case for your interest in the program. If you’d like guidance with your USC MBA essay strategy, we can help!
Book a free consultation with one of our expert admissions consultants today.
