USC / Marshall - 09-22-2021 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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September 22, 2021 12:50pm ET

Applying: USC / Marshall

Intake Year: 2022

Pre-MBA Career: Healthcare IT

Post-MBA Target Industry: Technology, Other

GPA: 3.62

Years of Work Experience: 7

Location: Los Angeles

Notes:

I will be applying to USC Round 1 with a request for a GMAT waiver. I had initial plans to start working on GMAT prep with intentions to take the exam this summer, but due to a death in the family I wasn't able to prioritize it. I've been working in the Healthcare IT industry for the last 7 years where I work in depth with the software itself, as well as with various stakeholders across different major hospitals, to implement and maintain their system. I'm hoping to use my MBA to boost me into a Director level position with the eventual goal of becoming a CTO.

Really hoping that my family issue + years in a technical field allow the school to grant me a GMAT waiver.

Like (1)

Show Comments (5) Last: September 27, 2021

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 Sorry about the circumstances. Are you only planning to apply to Marshall, or are you looking at other programs, too? What was your undergrad degree? Impact at work is very important. Are you involved in activities outside of work? (1)

dzhou92 Likes Earned: 5 Hi Alex. That's correct, I'm only planning on applying to Marshall. Undergrad was dual major, music performance and psychology. I'm confident in my resume and work history. I am also fairly involved outside of work but didn't find a good place to talk about that in my essays. Based on this info, what are your overall thoughts and concerns? (1)

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1151 I hate to be pessimistic on this one, but I have a feeling that the admissions committee will want to see a GMAT or GRE from you. The reason I say that is because I expect that your undergraduate transcript isn't going to provide them with the data they will be looking for in terms of mathematical preparedness. I would also add that your GPA of 3.62, while excellent, will not be 'off the charts' for USC. You can give it a shot, but I just worry when I see the following information on the USC web site: "Standardized tests provide the Admissions Committee with some evidence of a candidate’s ability (quantitative, verbal, and analytical) to perform academically in the MBA core curriculum. Test scores also serve to provide an indication of English language capability. Therefore, the basis for your waiver request – and your response to the Test Waiver Request Essay – should be grounded in a record of exceptional academic achievement that includes demonstrated mathematical preparedness. While professional experience can be included as a component of the waiver request, the Admissions Committee will most strongly consider two elements: 1) overall academic achievement; and 2) performance in quantitative coursework. It is our belief that most applicants should submit a standardized test score as part of the application process." (2)

dzhou92 Likes Earned: 5 Hi Graham, That's a fair point, thanks for providing that perspective. It's interesting, that gmat waiver portion has definitely been updated since I last reviewed it at the beginning of the month. The mathematical preparedness portion is new. At this point, I guess we'll have to see how it goes. When I got connected with someone from admissions, they didn't mention this and said that my undergraduate GPA + work experiences (especially if technical) would be the biggest factors in the decision, but I can see why that contradicts the phrasing on their website. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2021/09/episode-187-wire-taps/ (0)