USC, Marshall School

Tips for USC Marshall’s 2023-2024 MBA Essays

The University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, which ranks 17th in P&Q’s “Top Business Schools” ranking, recently released its 2023-2024 MBA essay prompts.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, broke down each prompt and offered insight to what exactly Marshall admission officers are looking for.

ESSAY 1

The first required essay prompt asks applicants the following:

What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (word limit: 100)

Given the short word count, being concise is key in this essay. Blackman suggests that applicants think about their plan when they graduate from USC and use their resume to support.

“For example, if you are career switching, highlight any transferable skills in your resume,” Blackman says. “Another idea is to ask your recommenders to comment on your future plans. Further, as you craft all of these strategies, make sure you highlight how you will use your MBA to reach your goals.”

ESSAY 2

The second required essay prompt asks applicants the following:

Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

This letter serves as your personal statement that provides the Admissions Committee with an understanding of your candidacy for Marshall beyond what is evident in other parts of your application.

This essay is purposely open-ended. You are free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. The goal is to have an appreciation for and an understanding of each candidate in ways that are not captured by test scores, grades, and resumes.

The second essay is all about showing who you are as a person while also demonstrating that you have a strong understanding of USC’s culture and values.

When writing this essay, consider aspects of yourself that your GPA, test scores, resume, and recommendation letters can paint.

“For example, if you are someone who has a standard career history, you might describe something interesting in your background,” Blackman says. “Perhaps you have an unusual hobby, have made an impact on the community, or have a unique family heritage.”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, P&Q