MS in Accounting VS. MBA ---> What should I choose?

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Dear Stacy

I'm applying in top 50 b-schools in this coming fall'09 but still confused and can't decide between MS in Accounting and MBA program. I've received scholarship from one university in Thailand to continue Master and PhD in accounting program with an obligation to be a lecturer after graduating. The university allows me to apply either in MBA or MSAccounting, but PhD in accounting is a mandatory.

Here's my profile:
Bachelor's degree : Business Administration, major in accounting , minor in finance. Thammasat university, Bangkok.
GPA : 3.51
Toefl iBT: 106
GMAT : 710 (Quant 88 percentile / Verbal 89 percentile / AWA 5.0)
Working experience : Total 5 years. 3 years in Ernst & Young office limited, Bangkok as an assistant auditor specializing in banking business. 2 years in one Thai bank as an internal auditor.
Awards : - 1 year exchange study to UNSW, Sydeny during bachelor's degree period / CPA Thailand / great achievement awards when working in Thai bank. etc.

Here're my questions
1. What would be the better choice between MBA and MSAccounting? Since my goal is to study PhD and become a lecturer. MS Accounting sounds best suit for those who wanna be CPA or engaging in accounting professional industry, but again it directly relates to my future PhD field. However, MBA is also a good candidate coz the program is not limited to only accounting. So.......... :(
2. Base on my profile, do you think I possibly have a chance in Kellogg / Wharton / Mccombs / UNC etc?

Thank you very much Stacy :D
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by Lisa Anderson » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:44 pm
Dear auntsom,

If you know you will be entering a PhD program after your masters program, then I don't think it really matters whether you do an MBA or MS in Accounting. What matters is which appeals to you more and seems to be the best path. MS Accounting programs are generally for folks who plan to have a career in Accounting; the curriculum is almost all accounting courses. MBA programs would give you a cross-functional foundation across business disciplines and then a chance to direct your studies into one area (such as finance) or to stay general and take electives across disciplines. So the choice is yours on what seems of most interest to you.

Based on what little you posted on your profile, I think you could be competitive for many top MBA programs. It will be a matter of how well you put your overall application together that will get you an offer of admission.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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by auntsom » Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:32 am
Thank you very much for your help :D