drummond55 wrote:
Hello,
I was hoping you could evaluate my profile and let me know where I could conceivably get accepted as I begin my application process.
Education/Test Scores:
Undergraduate GPA (Class of 2011 Accounting Major): 3.68
Graduate GPA (Class of 2012 Tax Specialization): 3.75
GMAT Score: 720 (48 Q 42 V)
Work Experience:
--During college, I was a teaching assistant for two years and a graduate assistant for a year at a Big Ten University. I was also a course instructor for a semester before starting work full-time. I was also the chair for our graduate program social committee during my fifth year.
--Passed the CPA exam, and am an active CPA.
--Currently work for a Big 4 accounting firm in tax, doing compliance work for hedge and mutual funds. I would have about 3 years of experience when I matriculated if I applied for Class of 2017 designation (am leaning towards waiting until class of 2018 designation). I have been promoted once, after working for 2 years (pretty standard designation in B4). Have had above average ratings since starting work.
--Would be 26 at matriculation if accepted for class of '17.
Community Involvement:
--Volunteered at an animal shelter, as an income tax preparer for low income families, and at a food bank in college.
--Currently volunteer at an adult literacy group in the city where I live (tutoring adults who are learning to read).
My ultimate goal would be to make a shift into strategy consulting. I haven't seen much in the way of accounting-heavy backgrounds and how they fare during the application process, so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for reading!
Hey there,
And thank you for writing!
Sooo, seems good so far (although you did neglect to mention where you studied which can affect things as you imagine). You have very good grades, an excellent GMAT, better than average extra stuff in college, and solid volunteerwork.
So basically, no real major weaknesses. Which is great. And your goals are quite reasonable.
Now actually there are quite a lot of applicants from the Big 4, also from accounting in general. Probably less than IT, for sure. But still, it won't make you as rare as a polar bear, if you get my drift.
Now, if you really want to get into top schools (and I'm assuming you do) probably the most important thing for you specifically will be STORY. I mean you have done well until now, your goals are reasonable, everything makes sense etc. etc... but so far everything is a bit "normal". Big four to consulting and have a nice career. Not that there's anything wrong with that
(And in fact many top 10 grads do exactly that)... but what I mean is that in terms of interesting the Adcom in order to get that accept, I think they'd like to see a bit more of YOU. So if you figure that out, then you should be good....
Best,
Jon