Master in Professional Accounting Admissions News

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Tag: master in professional accounting (page 1 of 8)

MPA Experience: UT Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge

Are you interested in sharpening your Excel skills? Ben Breed, MPA Class of 2026, encourages you to join the UT Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge!

Ben Breed

This September, our UT Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC) team placed 8th in the world at our first-ever monthly international MECC competition. That is a monumental performance out of the gate for a competition featuring hundreds of schools across the world. It also happens to be the kind of feat that gets one invited to write a blog post. With that in mind, I’ll take my opportunity to talk about what comes next and invite any McCombs or other UT readers to join the team. We’re channeling our momentum to launch the UT MECC Club, a new campus community designed to welcome students from every discipline, spark curiosity, and demystify the wizardry of what Microsoft Excel is capable of. Our weekly meetings on Thursdays at 3:45 pm in McCombs (GSB 3.120) are open to all!

So, what does the competition look like? I’m glad you asked. Each monthly challenge takes the form of a case study built around realistic analytics scenarios: spotting order trends, optimizing travel routes, or decoding unstructured data. The case goes live for one weekend each month, giving participants a 30‑minute race against the clock to build formulas and models that solve seven progressively more difficult problems. There are two levels of competition: junior varsity and varsity. The JV track welcomes newcomers, offering a chance to grasp the case format and strengthen the foundational skills needed for higher tiers. Varsity, on the other hand, raises the bar with more intricate reasoning and complicated solutions. The pressure can be intense, but it’s exactly what we train for in our weekly sessions.

For those curious, find out more here – What is Excel Esports? What is Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge?

Our weekly meetings are a dedicated time for practice, growth, and collaboration. We use this space to refine our skills, revisit prior cases, and test out new analytical techniques. It’s a relaxed meeting of the minds where professors and students tackle the same problems side by side. Occasionally, a professor or student identifies a key area to enhance our competitive edge and gives a brief presentation on it to the group. Past topics have included advanced formula design, data table structuring, and the creation of custom LAMBDA functions. These sessions let experienced members translate complex concepts into clear, replicable steps. Together, we build not just better solutions, but a community of thinkers who learn from one another and push each other toward mastery.

So, why should you join? Again, great question! The way I see it, there’s something here for everyone. The UT MECC Club brings together students from all majors, not just accounting or business, to tackle analytical challenges from unique perspectives. You’ll pick up practical Excel skills and learn from the way others think, problem-solve, and approach complex data. Along the way, you might discover new career paths you hadn’t considered. Since Excel underpins so many industries, getting comfortable with it is a serious advantage no matter where you’re headed. Plus, the networking potential is huge: between competition connections and the guidance of our sponsoring professors, you’ll find mentors who are eager to share advice, experience, and professional networks. While the MECC is an excellent avenue to sharpen technical skills, its deeper value lies in the relationships built and the confidence found through collaboration. From our very first gathering, the experience has been about more than mastering formulas; it’s about nurturing curiosity, teamwork, and growth across disciplines.

Sounds pretty great, right? Why not give it a try: UT MECC Canvas

The Traditional MPA Early Deadline Passed – What’s Next?

Congratulations! You completed your traditional MPA (tMPA) application by the early deadline! What happens next? 

The MPA Admissions Committee is beginning to review all completed* applications. We anticipate releasing early decisions for U.S. applications in mid-December. Early decisions for international applications will be released in mid- to late January. Your admissions decision will be posted on the Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus portal, and you will receive a separate message from the Texas McCombs MPA program if you are accepted.

What should you do if your application is incomplete?

U.S. applicants: If you are still working on submitting your materials, you can expect to receive a decision approximately four to six weeks after your application is complete.*

International applicants: Submit your online application by January 13 (final submission deadline) and complete* your application no later than January 20. Decisions will be released by late March/early April.

*All required materials must be received before an application will be reviewed for a decision. (See the tMPA admissions packet for a comprehensive list of required materials.) Be sure to check the status of your application in the McCombs application portal and in the Office of Graduate Admission’s MyStatus portal on a regular basis.

If you reported (optional) GMAT or GRE test scores or a future test date in the admissions application, we will hold on a decision until the official test scores are received from the testing agency. Please notify the MPA admissions team if your testing plans change after you submit your application.

You were admitted to another university, and the acceptance deadline is approaching, but you haven’t received a decision from the Texas McCombs MPA program. What should you do?

If you receive an admission offer from another university and need to respond to the offer before you receive a decision from us, please send us an email with the name of the university and the admission response deadline. Although we cannot guarantee an earlier admission decision, we will do our best to accommodate your request.

You are a Texas resident. How can you establish your residency status at UT Austin for tuition purposes?

If you are a Texas resident, you will be required to submit the residency questionnaire so that UT Austin can verify your residency. You are eligible to complete the questionnaire after submitting your online application. You do not need to wait for an admissions decision first. Additional information regarding Texas residency is available on the UT residency website. Feel free to contact UT’s residency office if you have questions regarding Texas residency.

Tip for tMPA U.S. applicants: Complete the residency questionnaire soon after submitting the admissions application so that your UT record is updated before the MPA program determines scholarship awards.


Note to MPA Bridge applicants: Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Apply at any time until the May 6 application deadline!

Join the Traditional MPA Information Session on November 19

Join us for a virtual traditional MPA info session! Gain valuable insights into our top-ranked traditional Master in Professional Accounting program. Learn about our curriculum, application process, and career outcomes, and explore the benefits of studying at The University of Texas at Austin.

Register: Tuesday, November 19, 5-6 pm CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Join the MPA Current Student & Alumni Panel on November 13

Join us for an exciting evening with current students and alumni of the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting program. Engage with students and alumni as they share their unique experiences and career successes.

Don’t miss this chance to explore how the MPA program can shape your future!

Thursday, November 13, 2025
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

Join the MPA Bridge Info Session on November 11

Are you a current UT undergraduate looking to expand your career options? The MPA Bridge program allows you to begin working towards a Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree while finishing your non-accounting bachelor’s degree in your senior year.

Join our upcoming virtual info session to discover how the MPA Bridge program can fast-track your path to success. You’ll learn about the admissions process, curriculum, career prospects, and what life is like in the program.

REGISTER: Tuesday, November 11, 5-6 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Join Us on October 30 for the MPA Bridge Meet & Mingle Event

Are you a current UT undergraduate student interested in expanding your career opportunities? Join us in person at the MPA Bridge meet and mingle event to learn how you can complement your non-accounting bachelor’s degree with our Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree. Connect with current MPA students, learn about career opportunities in accounting, and get your questions answered by faculty and admissions staff.

REGISTER: MPA BRIDGE MEET & MINGLE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 5:30-6:30 pm

LOCATION: Rowling Special Events Room, RRH 5.210

Traditional MPA Applicants: November 1 Early Deadline is Approaching!

The early deadline for U.S. and international traditional MPA applicants is just around the corner. If you are working on submitting your application by November 1 and completing your application by November 8… great! Early U.S. applicants should receive an admissions decision in mid-December, and your application will be first in line for consideration for potential scholarships. Early international applicants will receive a decision in January.

However, do not be concerned if you are still working on your application. Why?

  • We use a rolling admissions process for U.S. applicants in which we review completed applications on a continuous basis until the final May 5 deadline. Your chances for admission would not be affected if you submit your application after November 1 but still early in our admissions cycle. And, although we encourage early application submission for full scholarship consideration, we do award a limited number of scholarships throughout the admissions cycle.
  • International applicants still have time to submit an application by the final January 13 application deadline. Submitting your application by November 1 (and completing your application by November 8) will allow you to receive an earlier decision, but your chances for admission would not be affected if you submit your application by the final deadline (and complete your application by January 20). Those who complete their application by the final deadline should receive a decision by the end of March.
  • You should take your time to submit the strongest application possible. For example, you may be planning to submit (optional) GMAT or GRE test scores or TOEFL or IELTS test scores (international applicants) and need more time to study.

Your application will not be considered complete and reviewed for a decision until all application materials have been received (see the tMPA admissions packet for a comprehensive list of required materials). If you reported GMAT or GRE test scores or a future test date in the admissions application, we will hold on a decision until the official test scores are received from the testing agency.* Please notify the MPA admissions team if your testing plans change after you submit your application.

*Plan ahead: it takes about 3-4 weeks for the score report to be sent and added to an applicant’s record.

Do you have any concerns about your application? Contact the MPA admissions team or schedule an appointment for an application consultation.


Note to MPA Bridge applicants: Admissions are rolling all year. Apply for summer 2026 anytime before 11:59 pm CT on May 5, 2026.

Application Tips: Crafting Your Resume

Your resume provides an important opportunity to showcase your accomplishments and skills. Be sure to highlight honors, awards, language or computer skills, extracurriculars, volunteer and leadership experiences, internships, full-time work experience (if applicable), and other experiences outside of the classroom that developed your skills.

You may have noticed on the MPA admissions website that we provide MPA application resume guidelines (See the tMPA admissions packet or MPA Bridge admissions packet) and an MPA application resume template (See tMPA resume template or MPA Bridge resume template). Although this resume format is not required, we highly recommend using the MPA template if you are in the process of reconstructing your resume. If admitted, you will be required to use this format during the recruiting process, and our MPA career coaches will work with you to fine-tune your resume.

The MPA application resume guidelines include:

  • Resume length
  • Font and font size
  • Margins
  • Tips for listing education, achievements, experience, and work eligibility

If you need to submit an updated version of your resume after you submit your application, you can do so in the McCombs application portal (Submitted Applications tab > Submit an Update). Be sure to submit any updates as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that updates will be included in your application review, as it will depend on when you submit the updated resume and where your application is in the review process with the admissions committee.

Join the Traditional MPA Information Session on October 22

Join us for a virtual traditional MPA info session! Gain valuable insights into our top-ranked traditional Master in Professional Accounting program. Learn about our curriculum, application process, and career outcomes, and explore the benefits of studying at The University of Texas at Austin.

Register: Wednesday, October 22, 5-6 pm CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Application Tips: Submitting Your Transcripts

What exactly are the steps for submitting your transcript(s) for your MPA application? Read on for the details!

MPA BRIDGE 

You will provide a copy of a (free) UT Academic Summary in the admissions application.

Steps (See the MPA Bridge admissions packet for additional details):

  1. List all colleges and universities attended, including junior or community colleges, on the Educational Information page of the admissions application. (Tip: Select Add Record to add a college or university to your list of institutions attended. Then type University of Texas Austin in the Institution Name field to search for UT Austin.)
  2. For UT Austin only, upload a PDF of a Academic Summary in lieu of an official UT transcript.  You do not need to provide copies of transcripts from any other colleges or universities attended.

TRADITIONAL MPA

You will provide a copy of your transcripts in two locations: 1) in the McCombs application portal (for the MPA admissions committee application review; unofficial transcripts are accepted) and 2) in the MyStatus portal (for UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions; official transcripts only). The Office of Graduate Admissions is responsible for verifying the validity of transcripts and degrees and calculating an upper-division GPA (based on junior- and senior-level courses and any graduate courses, if applicable).

Steps (see the tMPA admissions packet for additional details):

  1. List all colleges and universities attended, including junior or community colleges, on the Educational Information page of your McCombs online application.
  2. Order official transcripts from every four-year university or college you attended. Applicants who attended The University of Texas at Austin should download a PDF copy of a UT Academic Summary instead of ordering an official transcript. Transcripts from junior or community colleges should be requested if you completed our pre-enrollment requirements or any accounting courses at these institutions. If you are unable to obtain an official transcript in PDF format, you can scan your paper transcript to a PDF. Alternatively, if your college or university uses SPEEDE or Parchment, you can have your official transcript sent electronically to the Office of Graduate Admissions and upload a copy of an unofficial transcript in the McCombs application.
  3. Pay your application fee in UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus portal after submitting your application. (Note: It will take 1-2 days for the application to transmit from the McCombs application portal to UT’s MyStatus portal.)
  4. After paying your application fee, upload your official transcripts (PDF format) to the MyStatus portal or have your official transcripts sent electronically via SPEEDE or Parchment (see the Submit Transcripts section of this Office of Graduate Admissions web page for detailed instructions). Former University of Texas at Austin students will pay a  $20 transcript fee in lieu of uploading UT Austin transcripts.

Tip: If you attended a university outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation from WES or another organization is not required. However, if a transcript is written in a language other than English, a complete and official English translation must be uploaded together with the original transcript.

Should I submit my transcript without my fall grades? 

If you are a traditional MPA U.S. applicant or MPA Bridge applicant, we recommend submitting a transcript (or UT Academic Summary) without your fall grades if you are aiming to apply early and your fall grades are net yet posted. We will reach out to you if we need your fall grades before making a decision. That said, we recommend waiting to submit your transcript with your fall grades if:

  1. (For non-accounting majors:) You are taking pre-enrollment courses in the fall (see tMPA pre-enrollments or MPA Bridge pre-enrollments),
  2. (For accounting majors:) You are enrolled in several upper-level accounting classes in the fall, and/or
  3. Your upper-level GPA will be improved substantially with your fall grades.

If you are a traditional MPA international applicant (not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident), you should submit your application with transcript before either the early November 1 or final January 13 application deadline, even if the fall grades are not posted. After your fall grades are available, you have the option to provide a copy of an updated transcript in the McCombs application portal (Submitted Applications tab > Submit an Update).

Please contact the MPA admissions team if you have additional questions!

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