USC Full-Time MBA interview on Campus 3/1

nautibei

Sorry for the late post. My interview took place on campus 3/1

They didn't allow me to choose the Skype interview, instead I had to fly over from Asia and spend $$$ to have a quick 30 minute chat with a 2nd yr student. I'm not sure if they are testing my loyalty for this school. (J/K)

They have a 2nd year student to walk you into a small room and just chat with you regarding your background and experience.

here are the questions
1. Walk me through your career to date?
2. Why MBA? Why Now?
3. Give me an example when you led a team? what contribution did you make? and what was your role?
4. give me a time where you working on a difficult team? and how did you handle it?
5. What is your short term and long term career goals?
6. What clubs will you join?
7. What challenges you at work?
8. Any questions for me?

The 2nd year student started to chat with me about housing, and her background with in consulting and she want it to do Entertainment. she successfully landed a job at NBC. One of her classmates find a internship at Disney.

No extraordinary question, but the experience was horrible, from my drive around the neighborhood to the inside facilities. I can't feel the personal attention they keep on advertise on (close knit collaborative group) Maybe, I wasn't in a class that day.  I guess when business schools emphasis the fit, they really mean it, Don't get me wrong, USC is a great school but I can't see myself spend 150k for two years at USC. I don't want to talk bad things about USC but I can definitely tell why the drop in ranking lately and the job placement % rate drop. Personally, I think MBA is more for learning from each other rather than heated competitions, when I was there for my interview the Indian brothers waiting for the interview look at me as if I was going to take one of their spots in the full time program. ( Of course, it is a competitive nature, but come on, can you see yourself working with these people in the future? I know it's only one or two individual. You're there to acquire new skills and build lasting friendships with people who share common interests with you) One thing I know for sure is most of us Chinese students only see the rankings and reputation of the school, sometimes we forget about the ROI, the fit, and what can the school really do for you? (only my personal thoughts) please don't attack me.

naoyixue

good luck

tina4love

It is also not a pleasant experience for me - the interviewer never reply thanks note. And they just did the interview as it is their task. Cannot feel any passion from that. I think they are not so "customer oriented" but maybe thats because too many applicants? For me it's a bit arrogant.

schuh

the USC people is the bunch of weirdest people I've met with. 1) The asked me feasible time slots ranging from 6 a.m to 8 p.m February 28th for interview, and then arranged me a Feb 25th interview without any explaination or reminding (even no highlight). 2) They call me "Dear candidate" for rounds of correspondence, and the beginning of the letter is always "Thank you for your interest..." which made me think there's a template and they do not pay attention to the particular case they were facing with. 3) Always late reply. Last week when I have had my interviews, I received a reply email confirming that my online status of "submitted" is fine which I raised to them months ago. One of my friend told me he even received a scholarship email hours before the offer letter....Very disorder I would say. Can't imagine what kind of help they will render during the program as well as the job hunting stage.

nautibei

tina4love 发表于 2014-3-11 11:09
It is also not a pleasant experience for me - the interviewer never reply thanks note. And they just ...

I think their applicant pool actually drop. It might be because the tuition and the ranking. I mean a top 30 program cost $88,000 for the first yr and 70,000 for the 2nd yr. where's the ROI on that? I think the thank you note is really depends on the personality of the person you interview with. So don't worry, if they think you're a good fit, they will take you. Good luck to you!

nautibei

schuh 发表于 2014-3-11 11:38
the USC people is the bunch of weirdest people I've met with. 1) The asked me feasible time slots ra ...

Haha, I think their career center is with out a dean for the last yr or so. Not sure how's their job placement this yr and I forgot to ask. I mean USC is a top notch school, but the ppl seems so cocky and snobbish. It's not like the other programs I've met. ( down to earth and kind) maybe, it's true that USC is full of spoil kids.

amydl

nautibei 发表于 2014-3-11 12:40
Haha, I think their career center is with out a dean for the last yr or so. Not sure how's their j ...

It's already bad enough that they didn't allow you to conduct the interview via Skype knowing you 're in ASIA! That's so inconsiderate! What's the difference if they just ask the 2nd year student to Skype you?

Again, seem experiences with the Adcom; very impersonal, no feedback or interactions during my Skype interview, no replying emails, etc.....

And a guy living in SoCal whom I chatted with on Gmatclub told my the surroundings of USC campus is absolutely HORRIBLE and he never dares to walk around there during evenings although he goes there to visit his siblings on a regular basis....

nautibei

amydl 发表于 2014-3-11 19:06
It's already bad enough that they didn't allow you to conduct the interview via Skype knowing you  ...

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe because I list a u.s address on my resume so they assume I was in the u.s

The surrounding around USC is not safe at all, I think in 2012 two Chinese engineering students got killed near their apt. But the campus is very safe I think.  Another thing is very limited on campus housing for grad students, the 2nd yr student I talk to said she live near the beach which is about 20 minutes drive.  I think they are building a USC village (1 billion dollar project ) to help with student housing but I don't think it will finish until 2016. Anyway, good luck to you and hope you will receive your dream offer.

tina4love

nautibei 发表于 2014-3-11 12:36
I think their applicant pool actually drop. It might be because the tuition and the ranking. I mea ...

Thanks...Good luck to you too! Well it's a big investment so better to be cautious. I don't know but for me it's not a very pleasant experience too. I mean, what they showed us is actually the reality about the community. Perception is reality. So I am quite surprised.

Anyway, may everyone get into the ideal school and most importantly - become the one you want to become, and join the community you really love.

tina4love

In Marshall...you could check through the online system now.

But really didn't decide where to go...still feel terrible about their attitude...from interview to admissions....