Pre-International Business?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of South Carolina
1

Hello!

I’ve recently been accepted into the Darla Moore School of Business for Pre-International Business. I simply LOVED Carolina but I’m very worried about the competitive admissions process for those in “Pre-International Business”. Would anyone be able to provide any information with how difficult it really is to be admitted into the actual program your sophomore year? That is my main concern with Carolina, I don’t want to be rejected from my dream major halfway through my college experience and have to scramble to find another major. My ACT (28) isn’t high enough for the Honors College so I can’t get guaranteed admission that way. Any information would be very helpful.

Thank you!

2

My daughter is in the same boat. She is really hoping to get into the Honors college. I would love to get more information on the whole process of getting into IB without being in Honors.

3

Hello,
Regarding the transfer option into IB, there was a Powerpoint posted to the U of SC website that explains the process. I have not been able to find it in my recent searches but perhaps you will have better luck (maybe the way back site?). I have the pdf saved to my computer but don’t see an upload option here. The cover page of the deck reads:

International Business
Competitive Admission Presentation
For Classic Track
Summer 2018 Process for Spring 2019 Entry

Each year there are approx 40-60 slots available and the process is very competitive. Students who are in IB must maintain something like a 3.6 GPA in order to remain in good standing.
here are some of the key points from the PP:

Eligibility for the Summer 2018 Application Process
•Currently enrolled in the Moore School of Business
•Minimum of 30 semester hours of college credit (includes AP, transfer credits, etc.)
•Successful completion of DMSB Freshmen Progression Requirements by the end of Summer 2018 (ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122/141, STAT 206, MGSC 290, ACCT 225, and ECON 221 or 222)
•Minimum Total Institution GPA (all USC Coursework GPA) of 3.50on all courses taken for college credit by July 1, 2018
•Have completed or will complete remaining lower division courses prior to enrollment in the major in Spring 2019:
•ECON 221 and 222
•ACCT 226
•MGSC 291
*The hours, GPA, and course requirements are all prerequisites to both apply and continue in the major in Spring 2019 if admitted. No exceptions will be made. If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for the major, please contact your First Year Advisor.
•The Applications Committee will not review ineligible applications.

Application Contents
•Personal / Demographic Information
•Academic Plans
•Anticipated Second Business Major
•Foreign Language
•Native language
•Other language skills
•Identity of language with which you will satisfy major requirement of 4 courses at 300 level or above
•How you plan to complete this requirement including an alternative plan if you aren’t matched with a partner school where your language is offered

Additional Application Contents
•International or Cross-Cultural Experiences
•Resume (1 page), DSMB format preferred, highlighting:
•Honors and Awards
•Activities and Leadership Responsibilities as an Undergraduate
•Work Experience
•International Travel
NOTE: We do not require or accept letters of recommendation as part of the application process.

Application Essays
•Three essays on the application
•International Business Statement of Purpose Essay (500 word maximum)
•Cross-Cultural Experience Essay (500 word maximum)
•International Business Research-based Issue Essay (1000 word maximum)

International Business Statement of Purpose Essay
(500 word maximum)Why do you want to be an International Business major? Why did you pick the language in which you are using to satisfy the International Business major requirement? How do you anticipate a degree from the Moore School’s International Business department, your chosen 2ndbusiness major, and your chosen language will combine towards a career path?

Cross-Cultural Experience Essay
(500 word maximum)
The most effective global managers can understand and navigate the complexities of international business while also building meaningful and responsible relationships with people of various nationalities, value-systems, administrative styles, and world experiences. Describe a time in your life when the culture in which you were raised complemented or clashed with a culture outside of your familiarity. As an example, this event could have occurred during a previous experience abroad or even within your own school or community. How did you navigate the situation and what did you learn from it?

The International Business Issue Essay Instructions
(1000 word maximum)
The International Business major requires that you understand the impact of globalization on the conduct of business and the interactions between businesses and governments that shape the global arena. We have identified three issues which have emerged over the past few years that will most likely have relevance to your future business career. Based on research on the issue that you will conduct prior to the deadline for this application, you will pick one issue and write a 1,000 word essay on the anticipated impact of these phenomena on the conduct of global business. Because the issues are relatively broad and the limitations of space are substantive, your ability to be concise in providing the analysis will be of great value.

I hope this is helpful.

Best of luck to you!

4

The most recent PowerPoint explaining the program and transfer process can be found here:

https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/moore/documents/undergrad_programs/2019_ib_competitiveadmissions_ppt.pdf

Again, best of luck!

5

Thought I’d share my DD’s experience in going from Pre-IB to the IB program. She switched her language from French to Arabic in order to have a better chance at the program. Arabic is really hard, so I don’t recommend doing this unless you’re really good at languages. She kept a 4.0 freshman year and applied to the program at the end of freshman year. The essays seem to be the most important thing outside of GPA. My DD was accepted to the program, but most of her friends were not. Even those with 3.9 GPA’s did not get in. She is LOVING the program!X The professors are great. She did a spring break class to Israel that she really enjoyed. Unfortunately, they had to return home after just a few days due to Corona virus, but she would go again in a heartbeat. Happy to answer any questions.

6

I’m an IB graduate and I worked in the advising department at the business school. The amount of seats available in the IB program each year for students applying for the major depends on how many honors kids have automatic admission. It’s definitely worth applying for, and I learned a lot from the program. There are some really fantastic professors for the regional, thematic, and functional IB courses that are required for the major.

That being said, I’d like to share some insight about IB and why not getting in wouldn’t be the end of the world! Since you apply for the IB major at the end of freshman year and find out in August before sophomore year, you’ll actually have plenty of time to figure out what you want to major in if you don’t get into the IB major. Freshman year in the business school is pretty much all progression requirements, so as long as you still major within the business school, (and even if you don’t) you’ll still be on track. Also, not getting into IB won’t close any doors for you in regards to study abroad. Plenty of students at USC study abroad regardless of their major, and outside of the IB major you’ll have more flexibility for when and where you can go, because all IB majors are required to go abroad their junior spring semester. The IB department also places you at a school depending on which schools you rank on your IB study abroad application that you complete your sophomore summer because they try to distribute the students. This means that if you weren’t in the IB program you may be able to attend your first choice school.

All IB majors are also required to choose a second major within the business school, and if you have time you can do any minor/concentrations as well. IB teaches you mostly soft skills, stuff you use when you communicate with others in the workplace or do cross cultural negotiations with a supplier across the world. Your other business major teaches you applicable knowledge of accounting, supply chain, finance, marketing, etc. While you can learn a lot from the IB program, if you don’t get in you could choose two majors within the business school and study abroad wherever you want and still have a great experience at USC. I have plenty of friends who went this route and still came out with great jobs/internships.

Overall, the Darla Moore School of Business is great, and you’ll get an awesome education whatever your path may be. I loved my time at USC and I hope you do as well!

1 Like
7

I’m an IB graduate too, and I really enjoyed the program. The professors are very nice people, it is clear that they love their job, they tell everything in a very interesting way.