Mac at BC, Vandy, or UNC
Hi, I was just hoping someone who is familiar with Masters of Accounting programs might be able to give me some advice. I graduated from a respected university in the NE in 2007 with aspirations of attending law school. After working as a corporate paralegal for far too many years, I have decided to abandon my aspirations of attending law school (horrible career prospects, massive debt, etc).
Anyway, I’m interested in BC, UNC and Vanderbilt’s Mac Programs. My GPA is 3.5/ 3.6 and my practice gmat score is about in range of the average applicant for all three schools. I did notice, however, that the average class size for all of these programs are quite small. How selective are these schools? What percent of applicants are admitted (if anyone is privy to that information and could tell me where to find it) and does anyone have any tips on what else I can do to strengthen my application. I’m a little unnerved by the process since law school admissions is a straight numbers game. Thanks in advance.
What was your undergrad major? I noticed you picked schools with little to no prerequisites. Of course the rate of acceptance depends on the number of applicants but I believe between 20-30% with all schools being relatively similar in acceptance. You should also consider UT-Austin great program that I had been considering.
I majored in Political Science. That is exactly why I picked those schools. How does UT place in the North East?
What kind of job are you looking to get after you graduate?
If your goal is Big 4, I would consider looking at some different schools. You cited the fact that you are in debt - attending Vandy for a MAC will be expensive and there is really no need to attend such an expensive school - if your goal is Big 4.
Big 4 actively recruit at a WIDE range of schools and it is not hard to land a job if you put on a good smile and go through the motions.
Why add to your debt load when you could get the same end result for half the price?
There are a ton of SEC schools that are not expensive at all that place just as well into Big 4 as Vandy, why not look there?
I'm not in debt at all- I am trying to avoid it though. So does prestige matter that little? I do want to work in a Big 4 accounting firm, but I also would like to work in NYC. Which is obviously obsessed with prestige and pedigree. But I am starting see that this may not be the case with accounting. Would Baruch be a viable option and what is the admissions process like there, I cannot seem to find an applicant profile. Would going to a less well known school exclude me from moving into management positions? What other schools would be good options. Thanks, I appreciate all the help so far.
I think your profile is ideal for a MAC program as many prefer students who were not accounting majors in undergrad. If you attend any of the programs you mentioned above, and have the bare minimum social and interviewing skills, you will have your pick of all the big 4 firms and could easily pick your office location. I think JBGH makes a very valid point. If you are willing to take on slightly more risk by attending a less prestigous school, you could save substantial dollars and most likley end up in the same exact spot. Can't provide any recommendations on other programs, but I do work with many USC MAC alums at my firm.
Or, you could go to the best possible program, make a run at some finance/consulting jobs, and keep the Big 4 as a fallback option.
"Or, you could go to the best possible program, make a run at some finance/consulting jobs, and keep the Big 4 as a fallback option."
That is what I was thinking. But I wonder is that typical and what path would you take to get there? Thanks again. Sorry for all the questions.
It can be typical depending on the school. Those programs consistently ranked top 10 consistently send kids to consulting / IB jobs - and always have recruiters poking around every year looking for students.
It just depends on the school. For example, I know that BACML recruits from the Texas program every year...
Just look at their websites or e-mail the accy dept. They are generally very small programs and the people who work there are quick to get back to you.
As far as moving to NYC, that is going to be more competitive. A lot of kids want to do that, but of course it is possible (more so at some schools vs. others)
Interesting. Is anyone familiar with the program at Bentley? I hear that they have a really strong alumni network and their graduates do quite well in New York City and on Wall Street.
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