Editor's Note: BusinessWeek collected graduate comments in 2000 during its ranking of full-time MBA programs. The next ranking is scheduled for fall, 2002.
A publicly held company's mission is to maximize shareholder wealth. USC's mission is to break into the top 20 in business school rankings. This is an appropriate objective for a b-school and it has certainly improved the quality of USC's MBA program. I have seem remarkable improvement in the quality of teaching, in the responsiveness of the administrators to student needs, and in the quality and number of recruiters on campus. I had a sense that the business program was striving to get better in every area and that the school's leadership would be willing to make any necessary changes to reach their objective. -- Investment Banking
I decided to go to graduate school to learn business, but what I received was more than I ever expected. My professors and classmates constantly challenged me, sometimes to the point of agony. But the payoff has been a greater understanding of the business world and my place in it. Even though I had worked overseas before school, I had my eyes opened to international business here at USC. I traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia, during my first year, studied in Germany during the summer, and then performed a consulting project in New Delhi, India, during my second year. I cannot imagine what my life would have been like during these last two years if I had not decided to go through graduate school in Los Angeles, and especially at USC. -- Entrepreneurship
USC has many strengths that other programs have, such as quality professors, a technologically advanced building, good students, etc. Where USC stands apart is in the strength of the alumni network. Graduate from USC and you shall never need to look beyond the alumni network for a job. -- Marketing
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at USC and would encourage others to make the same investment. My career interest was entertainment and technology. I know of no other school that could have positioned me as well for that specific field as did Marshall. I took full advantage of the entertainment courses available through the cinema school. In fact, it was through these courses that I got the job I ultimately accepted. -- Consulting
There are many excellent things about the USC Marshall MBA program. I thought I might be at a disadvantage in getting a job since I did not get into a higher-ranked program, but I was able to accomplish everything I wanted, including getting the ideal job for me. I was a bit dissatisfied with the teaching quality overall, although I had some really excellent professors along the way. I was never taught how to write a business plan in any of my classes. I know they do this in the entrepreneurship program, but they should incorporate it into the core program. -- Marketing
My experience at the USC Marshall School of Business was definitely a positive one in which I could see myself improving significantly each semester. My professors were exceptional. They were often available for students to chat with them and were also great at referring students to their contacts for potential job opportunities. The new building, Popovich Hall, is an innovative and very technologically modern facility in which I enjoyed having my classes. I truly enjoyed my experience at the Marshall School and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. -- Operations
I chose USC primarily because of the strength of the faculty in my field of interest. I was not disappointed. My classmates had diverse backgrounds and strong track records of achievement. In the application process, Marshall portrayed itself accurately. I felt I understood the pros and cons of the Marshall program. I feel I received what I wanted and what was promised. The PRIME program is a tremendous learning opportunity. Other MBA programs should adopt this. -- Human Resources
Marshall students study hard. Because of impacted schedule, seems like there are midterms every other week. We also find plenty of time to play as well. The PRIME program was both fun and educational. The full-time program is far more competitive to get into than the part-time program. Yet full-time students choose from the same electives as those from the part-time program. Why? The two groups have different goals and do not intermingle. It's purely for the school to make more [money]. By doing so, the school caters to the part-timers at the expense of the full-timers. -- Anonymous
Overall, I feel that I got a superior education, and I am pleased with my experience at USC. The only disappointment I have is with the Career Resource Center (CRC). I was very lucky to get five interviews through them, but the majority of my efforts have been on my own. I am in talks with four prospective employers right now (one dot-com start-up, a big five consulting firm, and two boutique consulting firms) all through my own initiative. -- Consulting
The finance dept. is excellent and the quality of teaching in the finance electives exceeded my expectations. The PRIME program for study of Pacific Rim trade and business was an invaluable experience. I visited over 13 companies in Shanghai, China, and was able to learn about doing business abroad and the challenges faced by upper management. -- Finance
My MBA experience was a valuable one based largely on the interaction and relationships I fostered with my fellow students. Much of the content of an MBA program can be self-taught through books. It's the EXPERIENCE that makes it so valuable. -- Anonymous
The Marshall School enjoys a high-caliber student body without the associated big-ego mentality of higher ranked programs. Students are friendly, helpful, and social. Great program that will likely be a top contender in the next few years, as the world gets wind of the talented, personable MBAs at USC. -- Marketing
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Copyright 2001 , by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
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