You got many questions in there!
jsslvtt wrote:
Cabro, could you tell us what you had for experience when you applied to PhD programs? Did you have a graduate degree, work experience, published articles, etc.? Which programs did you apply for, and during the application process did you recognize anything about your profile that the schools were especially interested in? On your list of top schools, which ones did you apply for?
I had an MBA from a 2nd tier Canadian university + 4 years experience in a regional accounting firm + 1 1/2 years of teaching experience at the advanced undergrad and Macc level. No articles or research experience whatsoever. I also had limited math/econ stuff -- I had 2 calculus courses + a linear algebra course done, plus two basic microecon courses at the undergrad level, and obviously some stats courses (had a BBA). I countered that a bit with a 760 on the GMAT. So my strengths were that I knew what accounting was about, having worked and taught that. Throughout the application process I sensed that was my biggest asset (many other applicants have literally no clue about accounting), and I guessed whoever took a chance on me would hope I'd be able to go through the PhD math and quant stuff, which was probably my biggest weakness. I won't go into great detail in my applications process but basically I applied to 5 schools, 4 of which I only hoped to get into, and 1 safety. I got offers from 3 schools including the safety school.
jsslvtt wrote:
I am interested in getting a PhD. I am have applied to Macc programs, but am curious as to whether it would be beneficial to go to a non-ranked, state university that would give me scholarships and an assistantship which would maybe allow me to do research with some of the professors and also participate in some way with undergrad level courses OR go to a higher ranked school where I would just get the degree?
My guess is that you should be able to get assistantships anywhere (if by that you mean being a TA for undergrads, or an RA), but I don't know any particular Macc program. If you go to BYU or USC you'll always be a BYU or USC graduate, but I don't think you should underestimate the importance of doing well in whatever courses you take, and picking those courses well. My impression is that a solid accounting background helps, and if you get that from a reputable school that's great, but if you have successfully taken courses like Microeconomics, Game theory, Econometrics, Linear algebra, and so on, that's even better.
jsslvtt wrote:
Also, I would love to eventually do research and teach at a top university, but I am not necessarily limiting myself to top universities. I would like to just be able to get a job at a good university in the area I would like to live (wherever that ends up being). However, more important than improving my resume to the point that I could get in anywhere, is that I would like to get in as soon as I graduate with my Macc.
I can't see why you couldn't get into a PhD program right after (e.g. in the fall) you finish your Macc. I think there are quite a few "PhD-track" programs out there such as BYU's, so that you can get a Macc while taking some research-oriented electives taken from the list I posted above. As many have said around here, it's not really important to have a Macc to pursue a PhD program in accounting. Few people at the top research universities even have an accounting background. The big part is that you make sure your profile emphasizes your dedication toward getting a PhD, doing research, and working in academia.