2009 MAcc Applicants...UNITE! (MAcc students too)

Question

--MAcc APPLICANTS--

Hey everyone, I just noticed that these boards have been really inactive and thought the next class of applicants should get the ball rolling. Maybe we could list where we're all applying and how we're doing with the GMAT. That we we can share a little encouragement and possibly help answer each other's questions. So... I guess I'll start:

Applying to:
University of Southern California
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

GMAT:
Will sit for the test next month (October) and I've been studying intermittently over the past month... aiming for 700 or more, wish me luck!

PLEASE POST YOUR INFO!!

--CURRENT MAcc STUDENTS--

Please share your experiences.... studying for the GMAT, application process, interviews, and how school is going so far. I realize there probably is not many of you on here any more, so any tips you can share with us would be greatly appreciated.

TheRedRoost3r · Answer

I'm doing the MAcc program at USC. I was a pretty strong candidate: 3.85 GPA + honors college, internship/offer at a Big 4, very strong essays, etc. My GMAT was decent (above 600), but I think the class average was ~670. The interview was interesting... I was backpacking through Asia at the time and had to use a prepaid card the call back to California. They let me know during the interview that I was accepted. I also got into Notre Dame, ASU & U of A.

Classes are easy compared to my undergrad (ASU), although it might just be the luck of the draw this semester. Next semester looks rougher, but I still don't think it'll be as bad as ACC440 with Reckers, ACC430 with Levendowski, or ACC450 with Munshi was back at ASU. Those classes really prepared me for the CPA, which I'm sitting for now. I think ASU is a much more difficult and rewarding program, but USC is higher ranked.

SniperConsulting · Answer

So I just applied for 2009-2010 at USC as of Oct 31st 2008. I will probably be applying to CalState LA as well... I have to do this in Los Angeles, I have a wife an daughter and cannot move them!

Here are my stats

GMAT 710
GPA 3.2 in Accountancy from Villanova University
AWA 5

Curious what you guys think I should expect for turnaround time on my application. It's been two weeks, and I'm sitting on pins and needles! Curious how many people have submitted an application for next year... and what people think are my chances of getting in. I know there has been a wide range of gmat scores and gpa's being accepted and declined.

Let's get this board started for next year!

JorgeStevenson · Answer

Yo!

Yeah, I agree this board is completely dead. Anyways here's the deal...

GMAT: 760
GPA: 2.93

Applying to

USC
UT
Notre Dame
UVA
William & Mary

Anyways, I know my GPA is low. But I've been working hard, taking accounting classes at local community colleges. My GPA across the 5 accounting classes I've taken is 3.72. Here's hoping I can get a second chance. Good luck, everyone. And happy holidays!

nink · Answer

You picked some really selective programs up there. Especially USC is known for its pickiness or selectivity. However, good news is your GMAT score. You must demonstrate your passion for the program and provide reasonable explanation for your low GPA.

Good luck.

ajk2010 · Answer

GMAT 760
GPA 3.89 (Wake)

Wake Forest University

aphrt · Answer

Hey, its good to see some responses. Nice score sniper and jorge. Sorry I started this thing then bailed. I've applied to University of Illinois, USC, and University of Washington. My stats are as follows:

GMAT: 670
GPA: 3.85
AWA: 5

I was hoping for a better GMAT score, but I guess it could be worse. Hopefully, some of my better attributes will distract the admissions committee at USC and I'll get in there (it's my first choice)... I'm not really counting on UI and UW is more of a back up plan (although I could realistically be denied by all three *knock on wood*)

Good luck all!

paikovsky · Answer

Hey everyone,

I will appreciate if you could take a quick look at my basic profile.

BS in chemistry at UC Berkeley
GPA: 3.006 (not including accounting classes)
GMAT: 610 (score from the OG practice test and I am planning to take the real one this Thursday)

Grades from accounting classes:
Introduction to financial accounting: A
Introduction to managerial accounting: A-
Intermediate financial accounting: A-
Cost Accounting: A (taken at CSU East Bay)
Introduction to tax: C+ (taken at CSU East Bay)

I know that this is totally hypothetical, but I am just wondering what you all think whether I have a chance to be accepted in UT, USC or UNC programs. They aren't the only schools that I am applying for, but they are definitely my top choices. Also, will the master programs be easy on my GPA because I majored in chemistry? Thanks for your help!

nink · Answer

Hey buddy. Good luck on your MAcc journey.

Your target schools - USC, UNC and UT offer some of the best MS in Accounting programs in the country. They are all very competitive (especially USC's MS program). I think you will have to score 650+ in GMAT to have a good chance for acceptance.

Also, because you weren't a business major during undergrad - you will take little bit longer to complete the MS degree. Many MS degrees have basic business core classes one must complete before one can start MS curriculum. This is to meet strict 150 hour requirement.

paikovsky · Answer

Hey ninkorn,

Thanks for your advice! I took the exam yesterday and I got 680 (50 in quantitative and 31 in verbal). Now I have to start working on the purpose of statement and other application materials since I have been procrastinating because of GMAT. It is a quite relief to get the exam score. One less thing to worry about, you know. Thanks again and have a nice weekend!

nink · Answer

Great news buddy! Now let's finish strong by cranking out those tough essays and other parts of the application.

Congrats!

GMATpp · Answer

Hi 
I aim for master in accounting at Carlson School of Mangement (U of Minnesota) 
my GMAT 550 
 GPA=3.5 
I'm international student.Is there any chance for me ?

nink · Answer

2 things you have to keep in mind

1) Financing for Intl Students are drying up
2) Your GMAT is kinda low. I think you need 600-650 to have a reasonable shot at Minnesota.

Do you have enough time to raise your GMAT score?

lovexiaok · Answer

I am interested in UND's MSA and UTA, what do you think of my chance?
GPA:3.8 (UIUC)
GMAT 700 
I am international student

nink · Answer

Notre Dame's MSA program is actually very friendly to international applicants. They publish a class yearbook every year, showing everyone's background, photo, profile and etc. I would say that at least 10 % of the class was from universities in China.

Your stats (GPA, and GMAT) are on the upper end of both school's avg stats. Based on these two numbers alone, I would say you are a very strong candidate for both schools.

JorgeStevenson · Answer

Hey guys...just wanted to give an update:

Rejected from Texas and USC (not even an interview)
Accepted at UVA
Scholarship to William & Mary

Decided to go with W&M for a couple of reasons. (1) $. (2) I went to UVA undergrad and am welcoming a change of scenery (although the new McIntire building is really enticing). (2) I interviewed at W&M with one of the heads of the program and it seemed like exactly what I wanted.

Anyways I just wanted to let everybody out there know that if you've got a high enough GMAT score, there are great programs out there that will accept you (and even throw you some dough!), regardless of your GPA. The good news is that your GMAT score is largely a function of how much effort and time you're willing to put in. Hit the books hard and keep your eyes on the prize. And Nink, thanks for all the effort you've put in to make this forum actually worthwile.

nink · Answer

Congrats and good luck with all your future endeavors! :-D

JorgeStevenson · Answer

Yo, I just wanted to give everybody a final piece of advice before selecting a Master of Accounting program:

If you do not already have an offer from a public accounting firm, I would HIGHLY recommend going here: https://www.accountingmajors.com/account ... op100.html

Now, start at the top of the page and work your way down. Go to each website and look for their campus recruiting schedule for the current year. Most of them have this schedule linked up somewhere in their careers section. What you are looking for is whether or not that specific firm actively recruits on your campus (i.e. do they come down for career fairs, mock interviews, on-campus interviews, and pre-interview social events?). If that firm does not actively spend $$ to recruit on your campus (i.e. if they don't have on-campus interviews), there is little to no chance that you will be able to work there. The recruiting process for accounting firms is very traditional. These firms are set in their ways. They want to recruit their new associates from on-campus interviews. They will not interview you if you did not submit your resume through your campus' career center. Most of their websites do not even offer to accept your resume unless you are an experienced higher (i.e. you are entering their firm at LEAST as a senior associate).

As an example, you can see that I chose W&M over UVA. Now...I love it at W&M. I love the program, I feel like I'm learning a ton, I'm going to smoke the CPA exam, etc. And I hated UVA. BUT, here's the catch: there are only 8 public accounting firms that recruit at William and Mary. 8. For a graduate program of 70 students, not to mention the undergraduate population. And KPMG isn't one of them. So that's 3 Big 4 firms, doing about 8 interviews each.

So just keep that in mind when you're applying. Look at each firm and focus on where they recruit. If they don't recruit at your school, you're SOL.

beltmanm · Answer

Hey I thought I would ask about my chances as well.

I am applying to UVA, UT, UMich, and Vanderbilt.

GPA: 3.65 (U. of South Carolina)
GMAT: 690
All A's in accounting class and in my junior year.
Two club presidencies and 4 internships (one at a hedge fund and the other at national brokerage firm)

Thanks for your help.

nink · Answer

Again, your stats are competitive. Although, with those stellar grades in accounting, how come you didn't go for any public accounting internships and chose hedge fund and a brokerage firm instead?

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