The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business has become one of the most popular colleges among our clients and business-hopeful students writ large over the last few years. While many parents think of USC as the safety school of their generation, we can tell you this is far from true these days – USC has a sub-10% acceptance rate, and it’s getting lower and lower every single year.
If you’re interested in Marshall, in particular, you should know it’s a competitive school in and of itself. Last cycle, it’s estimated that they had a 7.2% acceptance rate for their program – again, single digits. But that doesn’t mean that getting in is impossible, there are just things you need to do to take initiative and make your application as strong as possible. And lucky for you, this post has the deets on the best strategic choices you can make.
Is Marshall your top choice? We’ve helped countless students gain admission to Marshall and other top undergrad business schools. Our counselors are ready to provide expert, personalized guidance to help you meet your goals – reach out to us today.
Get the Grades
Let’s start with the obvious: grades matter. If USC Marshall is your target, you can’t afford a transcript full of Bs. The students who get in, especially to a competitive program like Marshall, have top grades in the most challenging courses their school offers. APs, honors, IB – whatever your school has, take the most difficult path and aim for straight As.
The same goes for testing. While USC is currently test-optional, strong scores can still help you stand out. If you're submitting, we recommend aiming for a 34+ on the ACT or at least a 1500+ on the SAT to stay competitive. If you’re aiming for Marshall, you want to aim for the high end, or even higher, than USC’s middle 50 data.
Build a Niche
Saying “I’m interested in business” on your Marshall app isn’t going to cut it. USC is looking for students who’ve started to define what they want to explore and have taken steps to make it happen. Take a look at the emphases Marshall offers: tracks like Business Analytics, Communications, Marketing, or Real Estate Finance can help you start narrowing your focus.
Let’s say you’re initially drawn to marketing. Don’t stop there. Maybe you dig deeper and find yourself fascinated by brand partnerships in the entertainment industry – which pairs nicely with USC’s ties to the industry. From there, you start reading about licensing deals, influencer strategy, or how consumer behavior shapes creative campaigns. That kind of progression, from general interest to a targeted passion, is what makes your application stand out. You’re not just name-dropping “business.” You’re building a clear, intentional path.
So, how do you actually show that in your application? Let’s break it down.
Courses and Reading
One of the best ways to identify and develop your business niche is to actively seek out knowledge outside of the classroom. We often recommend online courses through platforms like Coursera, edX, or Open Yale Courses, which can help you build both a broad foundation and dive into more specialized topics like marketing analytics, global business, or entertainment finance. Reading is just as important. There’s no shortage of books by industry leaders, especially in areas like entrepreneurship, branding, and marketing. And if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to follow what’s happening in the business world.
As you explore, make sure you’re not just sampling different topics – push yourself to go deeper. Marshall wants to see that you’ve taken the time to truly engage with the field, not just skim the surface.
School Extracurriculars
If your school has business clubs, join them. If they don’t have any, start your own. Whether it’s Women in Entrepreneurship, Future Entertainment Executives, or a club focused on startup culture, the goal is to show initiative and that you’re building depth in the area you care about most.
And remember, your activities don’t have to be limited to traditional business paths. USC Marshall sits at the intersection of business, media, and innovation, so think creatively! Maybe you’re writing about local entrepreneurs for your school paper, running a student-led social impact project, or managing events for student government. These kinds of roles build transferable skills that Marshall looks for in future business leaders. You want to make sure that your experiences connect to the story you’re building.
Out of School Extracurriculars
Our students work – during the summer, on weekends, or whenever they can. And for business-focused applicants, we consider that essential. Holding a job, whether you’re answering phones, walking dogs, scooping ice cream, or working retail, shows that you’re dependable, hardworking, and not afraid to take on responsibility.
You should also consider summer programs geared toward business students. There are many to choose from, including at USC itself if you want to get a feel for the campus.
And of course, if you can, land an internship. For Marshall hopefuls, this can be a game-changer, but only if it aligns with your broader goals. If you say you're passionate about marketing in entertainment, but your resume is stacked with finance internships, it sends a mixed message. Strong applicants have a clear through-line. Make sure your experiences reinforce the story you're telling.
Start a Company
Entrepreneurship is a personality trait – not a major (in our opinion). And a lot of the time, putting it on your application is like a giant red flag that says, “future dropout.” Schools like USC Marshall aren’t looking to admit students who seem more focused on becoming the next tech founder than actually getting through college. They want students who are ready to learn, build skills, and stick with it.
If entrepreneurship is truly your thing, don’t just say it. Show it. Focus on learning real, applicable skills in areas like marketing, operations, finance, or management. In our experience, the students who are genuinely entrepreneurial don’t need to talk about it; they’ve already started something. Maybe it’s a car wash, a tutoring service, a nonprofit project, or a digital brand. Instead of saying they want to major in entrepreneurship, they usually want to focus on a related skill to help strengthen their passion.
Apply Early
USC offers early action – and we think it’s a no-brainer option. As far as strategic moves go, this is the easiest one you can make, and there are literally no downsides to it. While the EA acceptance rate at USC is not significantly higher than RD, it does mean your application will be in the first pile instead of the last, and that stands for something.
A competitive Marshall applicant has top-tier grades, meaningful experience, and a resume that already shows signs of leadership, initiative, and impact. If USC Marshall is your goal, you need to start building that foundation as early as possible. The earlier you get serious, the stronger your application will be. Don’t wait – if you think this is the right fit for you, reach out to us today. We’ll help you get there.
Need help strategizing for Marshall? Contact us now.