Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Tag: MPA (page 2 of 4)

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. 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 your transcripts in two locations: 1) in the McCombs application portal (for the MPA admissions committee application review) and 2) in the MyStatus portal (for UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions). 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 graduate courses, if applicable).

Steps: (See the tMPA admissions packet for additional details.)

  1. Order official transcripts from every four-year university or college you attended, and have them sent to you directly. Applicants who attended The University of Texas at Austin should download a PDF copy of a UT Academic Summary instead of ordering a 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, scan your paper transcripts to a PDF.
  2. List all colleges and universities attended, including junior or community colleges, on the “Educational Information” page of your McCombs online application. (Tip: Select Add Record to add a college or university to your list of institutions attended.)
  3. Upload a PDF copy of each transcript. Current and former UT Austin students should upload a free Academic Summary in lieu of a UT transcript.
  4. Pay your Application Fee in UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus portal after submitting your application.
  5. After paying your application fee, upload the transcripts to the MyStatus portal or have your 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: Store any official paper transcripts safely. If you are offered admission and intend to enroll, you will then send your official paper copy transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

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, 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 14 application deadline, even if the fall grades are not posted. After your fall grades are available, you can provide a copy of an updated transcript in the McCombs application portal.

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

Application Tips: Recommendation Letters

The Texas McCombs traditional MPA and MPA Bridge admissions applications require at least two letters of recommendation. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions about recommendations.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?

Through the recommendation letters (and admissions essays), we aim to learn about your strengths, personal qualities, skills, and the potential for success in the classroom and as a business professional. Choose references who know you in an academic or professional context and are familiar with your abilities, achievements, and career aspirations. Also consider references who can provide unique and diverse viewpoints. If you are currently in school, we prefer recommendations from faculty members, although feel free to supplement with a third recommendation from a professional work or extracurricular experience. Although only two recommendation letters are required, the MPA admissions committee will review all that are submitted.

How should my references submit their recommendation letters?

Letters are received directly from the recommender via a secure portal. You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of at least two recommenders in the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application. When you select “Continue,” your recommenders will be sent an email notification with a link to a secure portal where they will be asked to complete an online questionnaire and upload a recommendation letter.

Tips:

  • Complete this part of your application first. This will allow your recommenders to get started while you’re working on the other components of your application.
  • Contact your recommenders to let them know they will receive an email. The message is sent from a general McCombs School of Business email address and may end up in their junk/spam email folder.
  • Monitor the status of your recommendations in the McCombs application portal. You can resend notifications from the portal as needed.

What should I do if I already submitted my online application but need to send a request to an additional recommender?

After you submit your application, you will have the option in the McCombs application portal to add recommenders and send them an email request.

Application Tips: Preparing Your Admissions Essays

Traditional MPA and MPA Bridge applicants,

Are you working on your Texas McCombs MPA admissions essays and need some guidance? Are you wondering, What should be the focus? How long should the essays be? Do I need videographer skills to create my video essay? Here are some tips that will help you get started:

Let us know why you’re unique!

There is no “right answer” to the written or video essay questions. MPA applicants come from a variety of academic backgrounds and have diverse professional goals… exactly what we prefer! The essays can help you stand out from the applicant crowd and provide us an opportunity to learn about your strengths, skillsets, and aspirations. Avoid cliched responses and instead provide a genuine portrayal of why you are interested in the Texas McCombs MPA program. Take a moment to reflect. How will the MPA program assist you in reaching your goals? If you are a non-accounting major, why have you decided to pursue a graduate accounting degree? What has been your journey up to this point, and what have you learned about yourself along the way? How have your experiences prepared you for success in our program and the business world? What will you contribute to the Texas McCombs MPA community?

Develop your ideas… but be concise.

Although you should focus more on content than length, essay #1 should be between 350-500 words, essay #2 should be between 250-350 words, and the video essay should be approximately one minute in length. Avoid repeating information that is readily available in other parts of the application. For example, rather than simply listing your experiences, let us know how these experiences helped you to grow personally or professionally. We want to get to know you from a perspective that cannot be achieved by reviewing resumes, transcripts, or test scores.

Written essays: Mind your writing technique.

The written essays capture your reasons for pursuing the MPA degree, career goals, preparedness for graduate school, and an example of your analytical aptitude. They also are a demonstration of your written communication skills. Avoid being too wordy, stay focused and organized, and proofread. The formatting of the essays is flexible (line spacing, margins, font), but we do appreciate an easy-to-read layout!

Instructions:

  • Upload your essays in PDF format to your admissions application.

Video essay: Show us who you are!

The video essay helps your application “come to life” and provides you with an opportunity to showcase your verbal communication skills and personality. Be professional, relax (Try not to sound like you’re reading a script. We want to see you as your peers, instructors or employers see you!), and don’t worry about fancy editing techniques. Also, please do not include a link to a photo slideshow or PowerPoint presentation. Slideshows do not allow us to actually see and hear from you, which is really what we are looking for in a video submission.

Video link instructions:

  • Upload your video essay to a video-sharing platform like YouTube or Vimeo or to a cloud storage site such as Google Drive. Provide the URL in the admissions application.
  • Do not submit a video link from TikTok. TikTok is blocked on UT Austin’s networks.
  • Review your video’s privacy settings and ensure that they are not overly restrictive. For example, YouTube videos should be “Unlisted” or “Public” rather than “Private.”
  • Make sure that your link does not expire and that you do not remove your video until you receive an admissions decision.

Optional essay: Add some clarification.

If you prefer, you can submit an optional admissions essay to address address any information that you believe your application would be incomplete without and that sheds more light on your unique potential to succeed in the MPA program and contribute to the University community and the profession.

Ready to apply? Start your traditional MPA or MPA Bridge application today!

REGISTER: Join the September 24 Traditional MPA Information Session!

Join our upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the traditional Master in Professional Accounting program! You’ll hear about the MPA admissions process, MPA curriculum, career outcomes, and life in Austin.

REGISTER: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, MPA Senior Recruiting and Admissions Officer.

 

Application Tips: Should You Take the GMAT or GRE Exam?

Traditional MPA applicants:

Submitting the GMAT or GRE is optional for the Fall 2025 MPA admissions application. Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process if they do not submit test scores. However, applicants who feel that their test scores reflect their potential for success in graduate school are encouraged to submit scores for consideration. Keep in mind that the MPA Admissions Committee takes all submitted application materials into account holistically.

So should you submit GMAT or GRE test scores for your MPA application? 

It depends on the strength of the rest of your application. We provide detailed information in this blog post.

You’ve decided to take either the GMAT or GRE. Which exam should you take?

Consider these factors before you decide:

  • We don’t have a preference. The MPA admissions committee does not have a preference. Either test can demonstrate academic potential for business school.
  • Other programs may have a preference. Many graduate accounting programs started accepting the GRE in addition to the GMAT. Be sure to check the application requirements for all your programs of interest. Some programs may only accept the GMAT.
  • Are you applying to more than one master’s degree? The GRE may be the best choice for those who are applying to the Texas McCombs MPA plus another master’s degree—like economics—which may require the GRE. Taking the GRE would allow you to apply to both programs with one exam.
  • You may have a preference. If you are still trying to decide, take a practice test for each exam. You may find that you prefer one test over the other.
  • Plan ahead, regardless. Whichever exam you choose, be sure to set aside time to study. Take the test early and reserve some buffer time in case you wish to retake the exam. If you choose a retake, we will review the score report with the highest total score. Remember—it can take approximately 3-4 weeks for the official scores to be received and uploaded to your UT application.

Please note: If you report 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.

Need additional advice?

If you have any questions related to your situation, please contact our admissions team  or schedule an admissions consultation.

REGISTER: Join the September 5 Traditional MPA Information Session!

Join our upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the traditional Master in Professional Accounting program! You’ll hear about the MPA admissions process, MPA curriculum, career outcomes, and life in Austin.

REGISTER: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, MPA Senior Recruiting and Admissions Officer.

 

Turning the Page: Celebrating the MPA Class of 2024

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the MPA Commencement Ceremony took place at Gregory Gym, transforming the well-known student fitness hub into a symbol of new beginnings. Professors, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates.  

The 2024 MPA graduating class includes those from diverse backgrounds who worked tirelessly to earn their degrees. Among the graduates, Peter Gutierrez’s journey stands out as a testament to perseverance and reinvention. Formerly a high school math teacher, Peter decided to make a bold career transition and pursue his MPA. As he eagerly anticipates his next steps, including a summer study abroad in Prague and a  financial analyst role for Dell upon his return to Austin, Peter embodies the spirit of transformation and ambition that defines the MPA graduates. 

Hong Nguyen has a similarly inspiring graduation story. As a first-generation graduate, Hong’s MPA degree holds deep significance not just for her, but for her family. With her family by her side and the support of her peers in the Asian Business Student Association, Hong’s achievement symbolizes the fulfillment of a dream and the promise of a bright future. 

The MPA commencement speakers further highlighted the potential of the MPA graduating class. Professor Steven Kachelmeier noted that the program’s excellence echoes in every graduate’s journey and reflects their commitment to success and innovation. Dean Lillian Mills emphasized the graduates’ role as agents of change and progress while distinguished speaker Paul Knopp (BBA Accounting ‘81, MBA ’83) shared his journey from accounting student to CEO. Paul highlighted the pivotal role of accounting as well as mentorship and resilience in shaping his success. Through his heartfelt message, he encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty, celebrate their achievements, and envision a future defined by purpose and impact. 

During the ceremony, MPA Program Faculty Director Kristina Zvinakis recognized students who demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement while in the MPA program. Gracelynn Keener received the CPA Accounting Education Award in recognition of her mastery of accounting knowledge, while Zachary Sly and Krishan Gupta were honored as the outstanding integrated and traditional MPA students, respectively, in their graduating class.  

Prior to the graduates walking across the stage to have their names read and be recognized, Ally Rosmiller stepped forward as the student speaker. Her words conveyed a sense of camaraderie and shared triumph, and she urged her fellow graduates to embrace every victory, big or small. 

As the ceremony ended, the air was filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Each graduate stands at the threshold of a new chapter, armed with knowledge, resilience, and boundless potential. Today, they not only celebrate their achievements but also their capacity to shape the future and change the world. 

 Congratulations to the MPA graduating class of 2024! 

                 

 

Click here to learn more about starting your journey toward earning a Master in Professional Accounting degree at Texas McCombs.

REGISTER: MPA Current Student and Alumni Panel

Are you considering a career in accounting and looking to learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program at Texas McCombs? Join us virtually on April 25 to hear from current MPA students and alumni! They will discuss why they chose to study accounting, as well as detail their experiences in the program, including their favorites classes, recruiting and networking opportunities, and life at McCombs. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask the panelists questions!

Thursday, April 25, 2024
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

Meet the Panelists

Paul DeGrado

Paul DeGrado, MPA ’24
Current Student

Paul DeGrado is a current student pursuing his MPA degree through the integrated MPA program at The University of Texas at Austin. Beyond his commitment to academic excellence, Paul is also a valued member of the Men’s Swimming & Diving team, showcasing his discipline, teamwork, and leadership both in and out of the classroom.

 

Krishan Gupta

Krishan Gupta, MPA ’24
Current Student

Krishan Gupta is a current student in the traditional MPA program, specializing in taxation, and is set to graduate in 2024. His dedication to academic excellence and passion for his field have earned him the role of a Teaching Assistant in the MPA program, where he actively contributes to the academic development of his peers. Krishan’s academic journey began with a BA in Economics from UT Austin, where he developed a strong foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

 

Amie Jatana

Amie Jatana, CPA, MPA ’16
Senior Director of Finance & Accounting – Wells Group of New York

Amie Jatana is an accomplished alumna of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her MPA degree. She is a certified public accountant in both Texas and Illinois and currently serves as the Senior Director of Finance and Accounting at the Wells Group of New York. Amie’s exceptional financial expertise and strategic insights have been instrumental in driving business success. She is a highly skilled professional with a strong commitment to both personal and professional growth, making her an exemplary figure in the accounting field.

REGISTER NOW: Accounting++ Artificial Intelligence (Livestreamed Event)

Are you currently exploring the possibilities a Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting degree can offer? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a strategic focus driving multi-disciplinary collaborations, groundbreaking research, and the development of future leaders poised to navigate an ever-evolving landscape.

Join us virtually at our upcoming  event on Wednesday, April 10 to learn about the future of accounting and AI and how these fields intersect to shape the future of business.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to see into the future of accounting!

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CT

REGISTER NOW!

This event will be livestreamed from Robert Rowling Hall on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Join us virtually through Zoom.

REGISTER: MPA Faculty Panel

The Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) program at Texas McCombs has world-renowned faculty that teach a wide variety of accounting courses and infuse the curriculum with cutting-edge ideas. Learn more by joining us for our virtual Faculty Panel!

The faculty panelists will provide an inside look at the MPA program’s curriculum, share details about the courses they teach, and discuss how earning an MPA degree from UT Austin will set you up for success in the workforce.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
  • Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
  • Location: Virtual Event (Link will be provided upon registration)

Register Now!

 

Meet the Faculty Panelists

Megan Allen

Megan Allen
Financial Accounting
Tax

Megan has prepared hundreds of tax returns for individuals, corporations, S corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates. She has reconciled bookkeeping and bank accounts for businesses and has represented clients before the IRS.

 

Daniel Fannin

Daniel Fannin
Managerial Accounting
Financial Accounting

Daniel is a certified fraud examiner, a certified anti-money-laundering specialist, a state-licensed private investigator, and a CPA. He has extensive experience analyzing financial records, interviewing witnesses, and testifying in court.

 

Zach Kowaleski

Zach Kowaleski 
Auditing and Assurance 

Zach studies the effect of the institutional setting on behavior using the audit and broker-dealer settings. His work has been published in the Journal of Accounting Research, the Journal of Accounting and Economics, and the Journal of Financial Economics

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