Master in Professional Accounting Admissions News

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

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Early Deadline Traditional MPA Applicants

Traditional MPA Applicants: November 1 Early Deadline is Approaching!

October 24, 2025 / / 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 5 deadline. Your chances for admission would not be affected if you submit and complete your application after November 1 but still early in our admissions cycle. And, although we encourage early application submission for full scholarship consideration, we do award a limited number of scholarships throughout the admissions cycle.
  • International applicants still have time to submit an application by the final January 13 application deadline. Submitting your application by November 1 (and completing your application by November 8) will allow you to receive an earlier decision, but your chances for admission would not be affected if you submit your application by the final deadline (and complete your application by January 20). 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 (see the tMPA admissions packet for a comprehensive list of required materials). 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 2026 anytime before 11:59 pm CT on May 5, 2026.

Application Tips - Resume

Application Tips: Crafting Your Resume

October 22, 2025 / / 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 the tMPA admissions packet or MPA Bridge admissions packet) 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.

Traditional MPA Information Session

Join the Traditional MPA Information Session on October 22

October 20, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Join us for a virtual traditional MPA info session! Gain valuable insights into our top-ranked traditional Master in Professional Accounting program. Learn about our curriculum, application process, and career outcomes, and explore the benefits of studying at The University of Texas at Austin.

Register: Wednesday, October 22, 5-6 pm CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Application Tips - Transcript

Application Tips: Submitting Your Transcripts

October 16, 2025 / / 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. Then 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 a copy of your transcripts in two locations: 1) in the McCombs application portal (for the MPA admissions committee application review; unofficial transcripts are accepted) and 2) in the MyStatus portal (for UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions; official transcripts only). 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 any graduate courses, if applicable).

Steps (see the tMPA admissions packet for additional details):

  1. List all colleges and universities attended, including junior or community colleges, on the Educational Information page of your McCombs online application.
  2. Order official transcripts from every four-year university or college you attended. Applicants who attended The University of Texas at Austin should download a PDF copy of a UT Academic Summary instead of ordering an official 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, you can scan your paper transcript to a PDF. Alternatively, if your college or university uses SPEEDE or Parchment, you can have your official transcript sent electronically to the Office of Graduate Admissions and upload a copy of an unofficial transcript in the McCombs application.
  3. Pay your application fee in UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus portal after submitting your application. (Note: It will take 1-2 days for the application to transmit from the McCombs application portal to UT’s MyStatus portal.)
  4. After paying your application fee, upload your official transcripts (PDF format) to the MyStatus portal or have your official 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: 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, and/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 13 application deadline, even if the fall grades are not posted. After your fall grades are available, you have the option to provide a copy of an updated transcript in the McCombs application portal (Submitted Applications tab > Submit an Update).

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

Stop by for coffee and chat with MPA

Stop by on October 15 to Chat with MPA Students and Admissions Staff!

October 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Interested in the Master in Professional Accounting program? Stop by for some coffee in the McCombs School of Business Hall of Honors to speak with a current student or an admissions team member, and learn more about earning your accounting master’s degree in just one year! No registration is needed.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hall of Honors, CBA 2.200

MPA Bridge Info Session

Join the MPA Bridge Info Session on October 8

October 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Are you a current UT undergraduate looking to expand your career options? The MPA Bridge program allows you to begin working towards a Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree while finishing your non-accounting bachelor’s degree in your senior year.

Join our upcoming virtual info session to discover how the MPA Bridge program can fast-track your path to success. You’ll learn about the admissions process, curriculum, career prospects, and what life is like in the program.

REGISTER: Wednesday, October 8, 5-6 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Application Tips: Recommendation Letters

September 29, 2025 / / 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 (Submitted Applications tab > Manage Recommenders).

Essay Tips

Application Tips: Preparing Your Admissions Essays

September 26, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Traditional MPA and MPA Bridge applicants,

Are you working on your 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:

Review the questions and prepare in advance.

Traditional MPA Admissions Essay Questions

MPA Bridge Admissions Essay Questions

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 and other application materials.

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!

Please be aware that applicants are not permitted to submit materials that were generated by artificial intelligence (AI) systems or completed by anyone other than themselves. This includes using AI or support from any individual to write answers to essay questions. You may use AI as part of your research or as a text/grammar editor, and you may also seek outside assistance in reviewing your materials, but all text that is ultimately submitted must be written by you.

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.
  • 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!

GMAT or GRE

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

September 23, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Traditional MPA applicants:

Submitting the GMAT or GRE is optional for the Fall 2026 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. Be sure to check the application requirements for all your programs of interest. Many graduate programs accept either the GMAT or GRE. Some business programs may accept the GMAT only, and other non-business programs may accept the GRE only.
  • 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.

Traditional MPA Information Session

Join the Traditional MPA Information Session on September 23

September 18, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Join us for a virtual traditional MPA info session! Gain valuable insights into our top-ranked traditional Master in Professional Accounting program. Learn about our curriculum, application process, and career outcomes, and explore the benefits of studying at The University of Texas at Austin.

Register: Tuesday, September 23, 5-6 pm CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

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