MPA Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs Students

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

You may have noticed that for fall 2024, submitting the GMAT/GMAT Focus or GRE is optional for the MPA admissions application. Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process if they do not submit test scores, and applicants who feel that their test scores reflect their potential for success in graduate school may 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/GMAT Focus, 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/GMAT Focus, 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 or GMAT Focus. Be sure to check the application requirements for all your programs of interest. Some programs may only accept the GMAT or GMAT Focus.
  • 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 (V+Q). 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 26 MPA Information Session!

Join our upcoming virtual information session to learn more about the Master in Professional Accounting program! You’ll hear about the MPA admissions process and how to make your application stand out, details about the MPA curriculum, employment recruiting and career outcomes, and life in Austin.

REGISTER: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

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

 

A Master in Professional Accounting Degree = More Opportunities

It can be a challenge to design the best plan for your future. If you’re into numbers and the stories they tell, you may find that the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree program is a smart choice. Here’s why we think you should take a closer look:

An MPA degree makes you attractive to top organizations.

Accounting is the lifeblood of virtually every company in every industry. Organizations need accountants to track finances, predict future transactions, and evaluate performance. Without highly qualified accountants, businesses have a hard time growing or even surviving. A graduate from the top-ranked Texas McCombs MPA program will be in demand for years to come.

The MPA degree gives you the luxury of choice.

With an MPA degree from Texas McCombs, you’ll have a variety of roles to choose from in areas such as public accounting, industry, consulting, finance and government. Here are some examples of positions your MPA degree could help you secure:

  • Internal Auditor—the employee that’s indispensable to senior leadership and the board of directors. As an internal auditor, you investigate and report, giving leadership key information for important decision-making.
  • Staff Accountant—this role holds more credentials and trains for higher-level tasks than a general accountant. As a staff accountant, you’ll soon advance to more senior positions and management roles.
  • Controller—this powerful management role oversees all accounting employees and processes.
  • Restructuring Consultant—this role points the way when making major business decisions. Restructuring consultants make financial projections and cash forecasts. They also analyze financial data, perform financial reporting, and conduct data mining and research.
  • Tax Consultant—this role helps keep businesses safely legal with tax-related issues, including compliance and regulations, and determining taxes owed.
  • Risk and Financial Advisor—this is another role that informs big decisions. As a risk and financial advisor, you would help organizations reduce or wisely manage their financial risk.

Wondering how well the MPA Class of 2022 is doing?

98% of the MPA Class of 2022 received job offers within three months of graduation!

What’s the next step in planning your future?

This may just be the beginning of your research. If you want to know more about how the MPA program can help you reach your career goals, attend an info session or meet with admissions.

Austin: Ranked Best U.S. Job Market

Austin landed among the top large cities in the Wall Street Journal’s annual job-market rankings for three years running!

The best place for Gen Z to find a job? Austin, Texas! Home of the McCombs School of Business, Austin was ranked as the best labor market in 2021! Considered one of the top cities for entry-level growth, Austin is home to a number of big companies such as Dell, Oracle, Amazon, Google and Tesla. Austin is also considered one of the most vibrant cities. From our live music, to endless outdoor activities and delicious food, Austin is a great place to call home.

Also ranked at #1 in the nation is our accounting program! Accounting is the backbone of a company and is needed in every industry. Accounting is in high demand for most businesses and provides a stable rate of employment. Earn your master’s degree in one of the top-ranked cities in the nation.

If you’re interested and want to learn more, register for one of our info sessions. You will learn more about the program, admissions process, curriculum, and career outcomes, as well as what life is like at McCombs.

Attend an information session for the MPA Program

Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting? Join us at a Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session this spring! With a master’s degree in accounting, the sky is the limit. Many leaders across the globe have accounting backgrounds. Join their ranks and start your career off right with an MPA degree from Texas McCombs.

The traditional Master in Professional Accounting (tMPA) is a one-year program open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. In as little as nine months, you can earn an MPA degree from the top accounting program in the country! From the best accounting faculty in the nation to a variety of accounting and MBA electives to a 98% job placement rate, MPA has what you’re looking for… and more!

At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail how to apply, the MPA curriculum, career opportunities and outcomes, and what life is like in Austin.

Jasmin Blas-Mendieta

If you can’t make an info session, schedule an individual appointment with Jasmin at any time!

Virtual info session dates:

See you there!

View the MPA Class of 2022 Profile

Check out the profile of the traditional Master in Professional Accounting Class of 2022! These students came to Texas McCombs from a variety of backgrounds and with an array of experiences and started classes in the fall of 2021. They will graduate this spring or summer.

MPA Class of 2022 Profile

 

The traditional MPA application is still open for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Apply today and join the MPA Class of 2023! The application deadline is April 30, 2022.

AICPA Announces 2018 Elijah Watt Sells Award Winners

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) named the 110 recipients of the 2018 Elijah Watt Sells Award on Thursday, April 11, and the Texas McCombs MPA program has three winners:

  • Natalie Gilbert (BBA ’17, MPA ’18) who is currently employed with PwC in Houston, Texas
  • Laura “Elise” Jones (BBA ’17, MPA ’18) who is currently employed with KPMG in Dallas, Texas
  • Minjae Kim (BHP and BBA ’17, MPA ’18) who is currently employed with Analysis Group in Dallas, Texas

This award recognizes those who scored a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the CPA exam, passed all four sections of the exam on their first attempt, and completed their testing in 2018. Over 86,000 individuals sat for the CPA exam in 2018.

78% of Texas McCombs students who took the CPA exam in 2018 passed all four sections; this compares to a 52% pass rate among all over Texas colleges and universities.

Congratulations to Natalie, Elise, and Minjae, as well as the other 107 winners — it’s an tremendous accomplishment to receive this award!

See a list of all the winners here.

The Elijah Watt Sells Award was established in 1923 to honor one of the country’s first CPAs, Elijah Watt Sells. He was a founding partner of Haskins & Sells (a predecessor to Deloitte) and one of the first practicing CPAs in New York. He also served on the AICPA governing council and helped turn the AICPA into what it is today.

Elijah Watt Sells Award

MPA Soccer in the Springtime

Texas McCombs’ MPA students organized a co-ed intramural indoor soccer league this semester — aptly named “The Mighty MPAs.”

The Mighty MPAs played their first game last Thursday and won 2-1 (but they said it should have been 3-1)! Games are played Thursday evenings, and the goal is to win their league to get their name up on the wall in Gregory Gym!

This co-ed team is a mix of integrated and traditional MPA students. The official roster is:

“Ray” Hyeongil Lee — Captain
“Duzi” Mduduzi Mugoba
Hannah Edwards
Tyler Wilford
Lydia Elseth
“Jeff” Kuan-ting Chen
Adrian Sauciuc
“Dean” Dong Uk Lee
Roger Telosa
“Daniel” Jae Hyun Lee
Rachel Reese
Lara Garton
Colton Jackson
Muhannad Alsharekh
Madison Mcdonald
Dan Yang
Ebonie Hunter — Team Manager

We’ll continue to cheer them on as they aim to go undefeated and earn all the fame and glory of coming out on top this season! But no matter the outcome, they are all winners in our eyes! 🙂

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