imagenooks \$m[1]:Don't all school encourage applicants, especially the international ones to sumbit in the earlier rounds? This has to do with many other planings as well. In USC website, it doesn't mention anything about such practice of conducting a batch-style interview. If so, I won't complain about it. Yet, I cannot accept an answer of "usual practice" as the excuse of providing lousy services. Not to mention that USC has a school rep center in Taipei.
Rather RUSH or not, it has nothing to do with submitting in R1 or R2. Some of people might have a early start with their preparation works and submit their applications in R1. Hence, I cannot agree using USC's "usual practice" as an example of not rushing to submit applications. :)
Anyways, I will keep my finger crossed and look forward to hearing back from the school. May the force be with all of USC applicants!
To imagenooks:
I can see your points. Actually I had similar feeling when I applyed last year.
I think the reason Marshall adcom conduct interview for Taiwanese R1~R3 applicants together is that the adcom hope to conduct interview directly by themselves in Taiwan. Since it's almost imposibble for them to fly to Taiwan in each round, they usually choose to wait till March to interview in Taiwan. Other ways that work are alumni or phone interview; However, unfortunately, they typically don't do alumni and phone interview in Taiwan.
The R2 decision will be notified at the end of March as scheduled, and Early Round will also match the notification date cause the adcom could arrange interviews during MBA Tour in Taiwan. The biggest problem is, as you mentioned, for R1 applicants who have to wait and be interviewed and notified decision with R2s.
Here are what the school say about interview and notification on the wesite:
"Interviews are granted only through the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants chosen to interview will be contacted via e-mail or by phone. Interviews may take place on campus, off campus or by phone.
Members of the Admissions Committee may interview some international students by invitation at international recruiting events."
"
Notification dates may vary for international and dual degree candidates."
I think they should state more clear about the interview policy for int'l applicants. Again, I can see your points. I will talk with adcom and hope they will make some changes.
To wwwwoooo:
I think you can schedule an on-campus interview. I remember last time a Taiwanese came visiting the campus and interview with adcom.
Good Luck to All!