Name: Riny Varghese
Hometown: Dubai, Delhi, and now Dallas!
MPA track(s): Taxation
Class status: Traditional MPA
Estimated Graduation Date: Summer, 2011
Why did you choose to attend The University of Texas at Austin?
I just wanted to experience being part of a great university. UT is known for having a college culture that promotes art, entrepreneurship and individualism. Now that I am part of it, I truly agree with that notion.
Why did you choose the MPA program?
I chose the MPA for the faculty and recruitment opportunities.
What do you want to do when you graduate from the MPA program?
I want to be part of a firm that would help me utilize both my finance and accounting skills.
Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
Eat! I love to eat at the food stands at South Congress. I also like to go on random drives with my family … we always find something interesting!
What are your favorite free-time activities?
Playing with my 7-month old!
Also love cooking. And eating. (BIG foodie!)
Other interesting facts about you:
- I was born and raised in Dubai (UAE), but now I need a tourist visa to go back. As for the United States, I have been here only two years, but am considered a resident. Life is strange….
- Another funny thing – prior to UT, I was forced to support the Sooners because my husband is from OU, and now that I am a Longhorn….we are a house divided during the Cotton Bowl. He is trying to get my son over to the dark side, but I will never let that happen!
HOOK ′EM!!!
Hi Riny,
I noticed that you are married and have a child, I as well have a family too but I am still an undergrad striving to get my BBA. How do you cope with being a mom, a wife, and a full-time student? And if you work, how does that play into managing time and priorities?
Sharlene,
Yes, it is definitely a challenge. One of the main things I try and do is manage tasks within as short a time span as possible. In other words, I spend my time wisely (I never spend too many hours doing one assignment – try and get it over in a sensible amount of time)! Also, staying up late/ waking up early (when baby is asleep) is another trick that has helped me tremendously. Last, I have realistic goals and priorities set. For example, I know I am not going to be able to get straight A’s, but I try and focus on preparing for the CPA, and understanding concepts as much as possible, so that I will be better geared for the workplace.
Luckily, I don’t work. Otherwise, it might have gotten a little more complicated. 🙂
As for your BBA, keep going! You will make it, and the process will definitely make you stronger! Let me know how things go.
Hi Riny,
Do you think it will be especially difficult to get offers in NYC? Does the excellent academic program at UT Austin give you enough of an edge over all the recruits from the NYC area? What else can one do to try and land an offer out of region? Great article, by the way! Thanks
Hey Bill,
Thanks for the question!
No, I think this is a great program if you want to recruit anywhere out of state. There are plenty of opportunities, and recruiters from all over do come to the school. If you are a resident of TX, then this program is great because you get the in-state tuition and great out-of state recruiting opportunities. I personally have been able to get all the opportunities I have looked for. So to maximize your chances, I would say:
1) Make sure you have your reasons for wanting to work out-of state valid, and long-term. Recruiters always ask “why”, and they want to know you are doing it for a mature reason, and not on a whim
2) Resume + interviewing skills should be perfected – this is all about practice and meeting with the career advising team
Also, do keep in mind that recruiting out of state means a lot of traveling for second round interviews. But it is a great experience, and I am glad I had it.
Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!
Riny
Hi Riny!
I am very impressed by how well you are able to manage your time. School and a baby require equally a lot of time. I wish I were as strong as you are. I am married too and a full time MPA student but I am holding off on having a baby.
You must be busy, but I would appreciate if you answer one question. I see you picked Taxation. Everyone I asked who picked tax just say because they liked the class. Do you have any other reasons for picking Tax track other than liking it after taking the intro once. Unless your undergraduate degree was accounting and you liked it then.
Thank you Riny!
Hi Yaina,
Sorry about the late response! Was enjoying the holidays, and forgot about the blog posts.
Well, I picked taxation simply because I love the thinking it involves. No matter how much research you do, in the end, an answer needs to be logical in its conclusion, and I have found that after thinking about something from different angles, the answer finally comes through. I enjoy that process.
I also wanted to have some focus – become an “expert” at something. But I have now found out, one can never hope to become an expert in tax. yet, I hope to find my own niche someday:)
Hi Yaina. Nice to meet you here! My name is Happy. I am a Chinese girl from Macau, I small island near Hong Kong. I am exchanging at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign now. I really want to get into the MPA program. But i notice that each of you guys choose MPA track, such as Taxation. So i wonder do we need to decide which track to pursue while application? And which track is comparatively eailier to be admitted? Thanks so much.
Happy.
Hi Happy,
You do not choose your track during the application/admission process. You choose a track only after you are admitted. You will have a meeting with your academic advisor before classes begin, and he or she will help you plan your schedule depending on the track you take. So it is pretty important to choose your track based on your interests and goals in terms of your career. Also, the career choice determines when you will recruit for a full-time position – different employers have different recruiting seasons. Hope this helps – let me know if you have any other questions!
I really long to transfer to Mccombs from a community college. I don’t know what college I should go to. What community college did you study at?
Thanks. Good luck with your study!
Hello Riny,
I am very interested in the PhD program they offer for accounting students. I am an international student and how ofter they give scholarships? Do i get to pay in state tuition?
Thanks a million for your blog. Its fantastic 🙂
Burmaa
Hi Burmaa, check out the Accounting Department Ph.D. website here http://new.mccombs.utexas.edu/Departments/Accounting/Degree-Programs/Doctoral.aspx . If you have questions, e-mail the program coordinator at AccountingPhD@mccombs.utexas.edu. Best of luck in your endeavors.
Thanks for giving your ideas. A very important factor is that pupils have a choice between federal student loan plus a private education loan where it really is easier to go with student loan debt consolidation than in the federal student loan.