<p>Is this transition common? assuming one's stats are good : 3.8 GPA 700 GMAT</p>
<p>Sure it's possible why not, common? Maybe, maybe not but that doesn't matter. 3.8 GPA 700 GMAT, and 3-4 years of Big Four experience and a CPA, yea sure you got a good shot at a Top MBA program. The question is, why would you get a CPA if you know you are going to be an i-banker. Seems like a waste of time, it doesn't transfer that well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
why would you get a CPA if you know you are going to be an i-banker. Seems like a waste of time
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You can't be an i-banker unless you are hired as one so no one "knows" one is going to be an i-banker while in college. It's not a major or a focus of study.</p>
<p>Apparently if hes going Top MBA route, he has a pretty good shot at being an IBanker, and the CPA license is very specialized for public accounting only. Useless as mentioned before, unless it's a back up plan which does not seem to be the case if going for a Top MBA with intentions of IB.</p>
<p>Totally disagree about the CPA being worthless. If you are going to start your career in accounting, then you would be stupid to not become a CPA. At worst, it gives you options. Like most people, you will probably change your mind about becoming an i-banker and if you do, at least you have a CPA. </p>
<p>Aside from that, even if you do pursue an MBA, a CPA will help you gain better work experience and certain firms will even give you additional compensation for getting the CPA in a specified time frame.</p>
<p>So, if you want to start your career in accounting, become a CPA. (also, admissions committees will look favorably on the CPA designation).</p>
<p>I said it's worthless for IB, not worthless in general. It's obviously good as a backup plan as mentioned before of course. It really depends how good you are at the GMAT, whether or not you want to take time studying that or endless hours of boring accounting for the CPA.</p>
<p>Getting a CPA is always useful. Looks great on your resume. Looks worse if you did not passed the CPA and you're a public accountant or use to be one.</p>
<p>My friend worked at deloitte for 2 years before leaving the profession and never got his CPA license. Every interview he's been to, he has to answer these questions, "Do have a CPA", followed why, "why didn't you get it".</p>
<p>sound solid, not ideal but gives you a solid chance </p>
<p>3.8 gpa
700 gmat
cpa
4-5 years at big4</p>
<p>you dont even need 3.8.
get around 3.5 and get 700 gmat then do well on your work and you are off to Wharton/Harvard/Stanford/MIT/whatever.</p>
<p>"you dont even need 3.8.
get around 3.5 and get 700 gmat then do well on your work and you are off to Wharton/Harvard/Stanford/MIT/whatever."</p>
<p>There may not be much added benefit of a 3.8 GPA than 3.5 GPA, but it's not like you are a shoe-in with either. Most applicants will be within an acceptable range of grades and scores, but the top schools only accept between 10-20% of applicants.</p>