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Joined: 07 Nov 2008
Status:Burning mid-night oil....daily
Posts: 2396
Schools:Yale SOM 2011 Alum, Kellogg, Booth, Tuck
WE 1: IB - Restructuring & Distressed M&A
Re: MS School Chances
[#permalink]
27 Jun 2009, 18:25
I would first separate your list of schools into 2 tiers.
Tier A - USC, UVA, and UIUC
These schools are Top 10 MS Accounting schools. They are very competitive. Programs like these boast smaller enrollment every year and high percentage job placement rate year after year. Big 4 accounting firms probably list them as key/priority/premier recruiting schools.
You will most likely need strong GMAT (650 and above) and at least 3.2 overall GPA. Your essays need to clearly explain your career goal as public accountant etc etc.
Tier B - Boston College, Marquette, and Univ of Florida
These schools are outside of Top 10 MS ranking. BC will still require GMAT around 650 (standard deviation of +/- 30 to 40) and at least 3,2 overall GPA. Compared to schools in Tier A, these schools will be slightly easier to get into. However, that doesn't mean it would be easy. Currently, many graduating college seniors are applying to MS Accounting programs due to the bad job market for graduating seniors.
Although your overall GPA is kinda low, depending on your GMAT score - you can still be competitive for most of the schools in your list. UVA and USC will be the toughest programs to get into (in my opinion). Make sure you spend a lot of time studying for GMAT and don't settle for 600 GMAT score. That really isn't a competitive score.