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Profile for a Masters in Accounting

by rayparlour » Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:29 pm
Hello! I can tell by the helpful answers you have given others that you can certainly help me devise a way to get myself out of this pickle I got myself into. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Systems Engineering degree and an overall GPA of 2.3. My major GPA was a 2.8 . My GPA for the last 60 hours was a 3.3. However, I had an academic suspension prior to my last 60 hours before graduation.

When I was in school I went through some personal problems but am now motivated to rectify my mistakes and get back on track in regards to higher education. I'd like to get into good business school and get a masters in accounting, but I fear even with a solid GMAT score my undergrad GPA history will hinder me. I have taken 30 credits in accounting from 2 different universities and 1 community college. My mixed GPA (it was a 4-3-3 course split) is a 3.41 in accounting.

I have taken the GMAT and received a 650 (50Q, 28 V, 5.5 AWA)

I am currently enrolled in a small grad school in accounting (would take me until 2010,) but I am interested in transferring to a better school.

I am thinking of these schools for accounting:

Long Shots
Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Univ Socal, Notre Dame

Fair Shot
Georgia, William and Mary, Ole Miss, Arizona and Ariz State.

Please advise if I am competitive enough to apply to those schools and also whether I should take the GMAT again and try to bump to 7XX.

Best Wishes,
Ray
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by VP_MBA_Guru » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:42 am
Hi Ray,
I am not an expert on MAcc programs, but will forward your information to someone within Veritas who might be able to help.

Regards,

N
Nikhil P. | Admissions Consultant | Veritas Prep
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by rayparlour » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:01 pm
Nikhil,

Thanks for the reply. I look forward to hearing from Veritas.

Ray.
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by VP_Jim » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:29 pm
I'll chime in... I'm a CPA with a master's in accounting from USC.

Your GPA is obviously the big concern. That said, there is good news: you went to a top undergrad and had a tough major, did better towards the end of your career, and you've done fairly well in your post-BA accounting work.

I believe the average GPA at USC is about 3.5. So, you're really not THAT far off if we only consider your last two years of school (which many admissions committees do, particularly in a case such as yours).

Basically, what you need to do is show the adcomms that you're now serious about school. There's nothing you can do about the undergrad GPA. But, what you can do is:

1. Get that GMAT up!!!! The average score at the top accounting schools is about 650-700. I think you need to be above average.

2. Do well in your current grad program. Obviously, you can make up for a lot with a 4.0 in graduate accounting classes.

3. Make sure you get close to a couple profs so that you get sparkling letters of recommendation.

4. Write a great essay that explains why you didn't do well in undergrad, but don't make excuses. Then, illustrate how much better you're doing now, how mature you are, etc etc.

So, long story short, yes, I think you have a shot. However, at this point, it's a small one. Get that GMAT up over 700 and your odds will improve dramatically.

(PS: I don't know if USC will let you transfer; you may have to start as a new student... but I'm just guessing. It's only a one year program. You should contact the schools you're interested in to find out if they have transfers.)
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
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