Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Category: Application Tips (page 1 of 2)

Traditional MPA Applicants What's Next?

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

November 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Congratulations! You completed your traditional MPA (tMPA) application by the November 1 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: Aim to complete* your application no later than January 14 (final application deadline). Decisions will be released by late March/early April.

*All required materials must be received before an application will be reviewed for a decision. 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 Residency Core Questions 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 admissions website. Feel free to contact UT’s residency officer 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!

Early Deadline Traditional MPA Applicants

Traditional MPA Applicants: November 1 Early Deadline is Approaching!

October 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The early November 1 deadline for U.S. and international traditional MPA applicants is just around the corner. If you are working on completing your application by this deadline… 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 6 deadline. Your chances for admission would not be affected if you complete your application after November 1 but still early in our admissions cycle. And, although scholarships become more limited later on, we do award scholarships throughout the admissions cycle.
  • International applicants still have time to submit an application by the final January 14 application deadline. Completing your application by November 1 will allow you to receive an earlier decision, but your chances for admission would not be affected if you complete your application by the final January 14 deadline. 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. 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 2025 anytime before 11:59 pm CT on May 6, 2025.

 

Blog post - resume tips

Application Tips: Crafting Your Resume

October 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

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 tMPA resume guidelines or MPA Bridge resume guidelines) 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.

Transcript tips blog

Application Tips: Submitting Your Transcripts

October 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

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

September 27, 2024 / / 0 Comments

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.

Essay Tips

Application Tips: Preparing Your Admissions Essays

September 24, 2024 / / 0 Comments

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!

Blog post - GMAT or GRE

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

September 17, 2024 / / 0 Comments

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.

FAQs MPA Bridge Applicants

FAQs: MPA Bridge Applicants

September 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you an MPA Bridge applicant with questions about our MPA Bridge admissions process? The MPA admissions team put together a list of frequently asked questions. Find answers and tips below!

What are the eligibility requirements to apply to MPA Bridge?

You must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to apply to the MPA Bridge program for summer 2025 entry:

  • Be a current UT undergraduate student completing a non-accounting bachelor’s degree
  • Have a minimum 3.5 grade point average, both overall and in your major
  • Have senior standing (90 or more credit hours) prior to summer 2025
  • Complete the course pre-enrollment requirements before applying to MPA Bridge (ideal) or before enrolling in MPA classes (required)
  • Have an expected bachelor’s degree completion date of summer 2025, fall 2025, or spring 2026
    • If you plan to finish your bachelor’s degree in spring 2025 or sooner, apply to the traditional MPA program for fall 2025 (with a potential summer 2025 start date)
    • If you will finish your bachelor’s degree in summer 2026 through spring 2027, apply to MPA Bridge next year for summer 2026 entry

When are MPA Bridge admissions applications reviewed for a decision?

The MPA admissions committee reviews completed MPA Bridge applications on a continuous, “rolling” basis. Eligible applicants may apply anytime during the admissions cycle until the final May 6, 2025 application deadline. We encourage you to apply as soon as you have completed the majority of the pre-enrollment courses.

Should I submit my application and transcript before fall grades are available?

If you’re aiming to apply early so that you can receive an earlier admissions decision, you can submit a transcript without fall grades. (We will reach out if we need your fall grades before making a decision.) That said, we highly recommend waiting to submit your application and transcript with your fall grades if:

  • You are taking pre-enrollment courses in the fall, and/or
  • Your GPA will be improved substantially with your fall grades.

It is better to wait and submit the strongest application possible rather than overly rush to apply!

I submitted my application. When will I receive an admissions decision?

Your application will not be considered complete and reviewed for a decision until at least two faculty recommendation letters have been received. Verify the receipt of your recommendation letters in the McCombs application portal (Submitted Applications tab > Manage Recommenders). If needed, send additional requests for letters through the portal. Decisions for U.S. applications are released approximately six weeks after application completion.

Any questions we missed?

If you have still have questions regarding our admissions process, please contact us! We’re happy to help.

 

FAQs Traditional MPA International Applicants

FAQs: Traditional MPA, International Applicants

September 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you an international applicant (non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident) with questions about our traditional MPA admissions process? If so, keep reading to find answers to some frequently asked questions!

When are international admissions applications reviewed for a decision?

The MPA program has two international application deadlines for fall 2025:

  • November 1, 2024 – early deadline
  • January 14, 2025 – final deadline

When are international decisions released?

International admissions decisions are released in two rounds: one after the early November 1 deadline, and one after the final January 14 deadline. We encourage you to complete your application by November 1 if you wish to receive an early decision. Admissions decisions will be released approximately ten weeks after each deadline.

Are GMAT or GRE scores required?

Submitting GMAT or GRE scores is optional. Please refer to this admissions blog post for additional details. 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.

Do I need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores if I studied in the U.S. or another English-only speaking country?

You are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if you are from a qualifying country or if you hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or an institution from a qualifying country.* However, even if you are exempt, you are welcome to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate your English proficiency. You also will have the opportunity to demonstrate your English speaking proficiency in your video essay.

*Please note that the test requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from an English-only speaking country. Unless you qualify for an exemption, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS test scores.

Are all of the application materials required by the November 1 or January 14 application deadline?

If all of your application materials are not received by November 1, your application will be included in the second round of admissions in January. The online application completely closes at 11:59 p.m. CT on January 14, and you must submit the application by this deadline. The supporting materials should also be submitted by this deadline or very shortly thereafter. If certain items are still missing on January 14 (for example, recommendation letters or official test scores), be sure to submit them as soon as possible and send the MPA admissions team an email update. Applications that are completed late may be reviewed on a space-available basis after the second round of decisions have been made.

Application tip: Plan ahead! On average, it takes about 3-4 weeks for the official test scores to be sent, received, and added to an applicant’s record.

Should I wait to submit my transcript until fall grades are posted?

If you are applying by the final January 14 deadline, you should upload a transcript by this deadline, even if your fall grades are not available. Any transcript  updates can be submitted through the McCombs application portal as soon as the new grades are available. We cannot guarantee that updates will be included in your application review, as it will depend on when you submit the updated materials and where your application is in the review process with the admissions committee.

Do I need to submit a foreign credential evaluation from WES or another organization?

You do not need to submit a foreign credential evaluation if you studied outside of the U.S. However, if your transcript is written in a language other than English, you must upload an official English translation with the original transcript.

Do I need to submit financial documentation with my application?

The financial information is used for immigration document processing, not for admissions purposes. If you gain admission to the MPA program, the International Office will require the financial documentation before issuing the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

 

FAQs Traditional MPA U.S. Applicants

FAQs: Traditional MPA, U.S. Applicants

September 6, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you a U.S. applicant with questions about our traditional MPA admissions process? The MPA admissions team put together a list of frequently asked questions. Find application answers and tips below!

When are U.S. admissions applications reviewed for a decision?

The MPA program has two U.S. application deadlines for fall 2025:

  • November 1, 2024 – early deadline
  • May 6, 2025 – final deadline

The MPA admissions committee reviews completed U.S. applications on a continuous, “rolling” basis between these deadlines. You may apply anytime during the admissions cycle, although we encourage you to apply earlier in the admissions cycle for scholarship consideration, as less funding is available later in the cycle.

When will I receive an admissions decision?

Decisions for U.S. applications are released after November 1 and approximately six weeks after application completion.

What if all my application materials aren’t ready by the November1 early deadline?

Although we encourage you to apply earlier in the admissions cycle when possible, if you need additional time to prepare your application materials (to wait for fall grades or study for the GMAT or GRE, for example), be sure to take your time and submit the strongest application possible.

Are GMAT or GRE scores required?

Submitting GMAT or GRE scores is completely optional. Please review this admissions blog post for additional details. 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.

Should I submit my transcript by November 1 or wait for my fall grades to post?

If you’re aiming for the November 1 deadline, we typically recommend submitting a transcript without fall grades. We will reach out if we need your fall grades before making a decision. That said, you might wait and submit your transcript with your fall grades if:

  • You’re a non-accounting major taking any of the pre-enrollment courses in the fall.
  • You’re an accounting major enrolled in several upper-level accounting classes in the fall.
  • Your upper-level GPA will be improved substantially with your fall grades.

When are departmental scholarships awarded?

We award departmental scholarships throughout the admissions cycle, although fewer scholarships are available towards the end of the cycle. Therefore, it is to your advantage to apply as early as possible.

What if I get an offer from another university, but I’m waiting to hear from UT?

If you receive an offer from another university and need to respond before you receive our decision, send us 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.

Any questions we missed?

If you have still have questions regarding our admissions process, please contact us! We’re happy to help.

 

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