Hi everybody,

I have read many posts on this forum but didn't register until today. I know there are a lot of capable people on site, so I really hope I can get some insights here.

After talking with some of my professors and accessing my want and need for the future, I have decided to pursue an accounting PhD. I am applying this cycle because I absolutely want to get somewhere next year.

My biggest concern right now is my quant background. I have double major Finance and Accounting, and the school I attended (a state school) combined calc 1 with stat 1, then calc 2 with stat 2, into two classes called Quantitative Business Tools I & II (both As), which I don't think are common and probably not competitive. Other classes I have taken are Econometrics and Financial Derivatives (both As). No other advanced math classes. I understand that this is indeed a weakness however with deadline approaching I don't know what I can to do to improve this aspect, or show my potential in my application.

Other concern is my GMAT. I took it last September and got 700 (49Q 38V), and I don't think this is a competitive score. Should I retake it?

My general interest is in tax (international/comparative especially), however auditing or financial also interest me. At this point I don't care for school ranking much. So any reputable school with stipend is good. I am very flexible and trainable.

Other info: I am from China and only came after high school to pursue higher education (got green card already). I like math and love statistics but didn't take more classes during undergrad cause my college charges $$ (international rate was 5 times more expensive) per credit, hence I only took necessary classes for graduation. I have a 3.91 UGPA (graduated August last year), and have worked at a mid-sized firm on the auditing side since the beginning of last year (will have great LOR from them).


Primary school: Northwestern (JD-PHD, took LSAT this June and got 164)

Other schools interested: Duke, UNC, UMichigan, possibly UW (probably not competitive enough for them)

I need more match/safety schools since I definitely want to get in somewhere next year

Any advice is appreciated!!

Thanks for reading this post.