Master in Professional Accounting Admissions Blog

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Category: International Applicants

MPA Admissions Update

Texas McCombs MPA Admissions Update

January 17, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Here is a quick Texas McCombs MPA admissions update as we settle into the new year!

  • The MPA admissions committee has been reviewing completed U.S. traditional MPA applications and all completed MPA Bridge applications, releasing decisions on a rolling basis. There is still plenty of time to apply! The final U.S. traditional and MPA Bridge application deadline is May 6.
  • The final traditional MPA international application deadline was on January 14. The application review will begin soon, and decisions will be released in approximately March. Please be sure to submit all of your supplemental application materials no later than Monday, January 27 if you would like your application to be considered. Additionally, any resume, transcript or test score updates (if any) should be submitted through the McCombs application portal as soon as possible. Applications completed after January 27 will be considered on a space-available basis.

The admissions decision will be posted on the Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus portal, and you will receive additional correspondence from the MPA program if you are admitted.

Questions? Contact the MPA admissions team

Traditional MPA International Applicants: Final Deadline Approaching!

January 9, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The traditional MPA international application deadline (for non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents) is quickly approaching! Be sure to submit your application no later than 11:59 p.m. on January 14.

What if all of your supplemental materials are not received by January 14?

  • Your application will not be considered complete and reviewed for a decision until all application materials have been received, including official test scores (if required)*, recommendation letters, application fee payment, and other items in the MyStatus checklist.
  • Please update the MPA Admissions team  on the status of any outstanding application materials.
  • Submit your supplemental materials as soon as possible. Applications completed after January 27 will be considered on a space available basis.

If your official test scores* are not posted to your application record by January 14, please update the MPA Admissions team with the date of your test and a copy of the score report. On average, it takes about 3-4 weeks for the test scores to be received and uploaded to an applicant’s record.

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.

*Certain international applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement, and GMAT/GRE test scores are optional. Review this blog post for detailed information.

Need assistance?

Contact the MPA admissions team or schedule an appointment for an application consultation.

Kristina Zvinakis, MPA faculty director

Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting Degree is Now STEM Certified!

November 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

As of this fall, the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree is now STEM certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) designation acknowledges the MPA program’s heavy emphasis on quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and technological applications. Students in the program receive a traditional accounting education along with an abundance of wide-ranging opportunities to apply technology and data analysis skills in nearly every course.

The certification benefits international students, as graduates with STEM designated degrees can stay in the U.S. to work for three years, instead of just one year, through the Optional Practical Training program.

Read more…

 

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.

 

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.

 

It's time to apply to the MPA program

Apply Now to Join the Master in Professional Accounting Program in 2025!

August 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are you ready to take the next step in your educational and career journey? The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin is excited to announce that the Fall 2025 Master in Professional Accounting application is now open! Whether you will have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing the one-year traditional MPA (tMPA) program, or you are a current UT undergraduate (non-accounting major) and would like to get an early start via MPA Bridge, Texas McCombs offers a top-quality learning experience that will provide you with a solid background in the language of business and prepare you for a variety of careers.   

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Our admissions committee takes a holistic approach to evaluating MPA applications, taking all of your application materials into account. Your essays, previous academic performance, letters of recommendation, and non-academic achievements all play an important role in your acceptance into the MPA program. Find tips on enhancing your application in this admissions blog!

  1. Online admissions application
  2. Application Fee (traditional MPA applicants)
  3. Academic Transcripts: Traditional MPA applicants: provide copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. MPA Bridge applicants: provide copy of UT academic summary.
  4. Resume: Highlight your accomplishments and skills, such as 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 professional skills.
  5. Two Recommendations: Preferably from faculty if you are currently in school, or if you already graduated with your bachelor’s degree, individuals who can speak to your professional capabilities and leadership potential. 
  6. Two Written Essays and One Video Essay: These essays provide additional insights into your strengths, skillsets, and goals. 
  7. English Proficiency Test (international applicants): Traditional MPA: All international applicants must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS official score report for the MPA application unless exempt (view exemptions for qualifying countries). MPA Bridge: MPA Admissions will review the official TOEFL or IELTS scores on your UT record; you are exempt if you were allowed to waive the test requirement for admission to UT Austin. 
  8. Optional Test Scores (traditional MPA applicants): GMAT and GRE test scores are optional for the Texas McCombs 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. See this blog post for tips on whether you should consider submitting test scores.

 APPLICATION DEADLINES

MPA admissions decisions are made on a continuous, rolling basis until the final application deadline. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Central Time on the final deadline date. 

TRADITIONAL MPA DEADLINES:

Early – U.S. and international applicants: November 1, 2024 

Final – International applicants: January 14, 2025 

Final – US applicants: May 6, 2025

 

MPA BRIDGE DEADLINE:

Final – All applicants: May 6, 2025 

 

READY TO BEGIN?

Start by attending an upcoming information session to explore our program and admissions process in depth. Then thoroughly review the following resources before applying:

TRADITIONAL MPA 

Traditional MPA website

Traditional MPA admissions packet

MPA BRIDGE 

MPA Bridge admissions website 

MPA Bridge admissions packet

QUESTIONS?

Connect with our admissions team. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

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