I am currently a freshman at a 4 year public university with a very well known business school. I wish to major in accounting, however there is a very good chance that i will not get into the business school. I have two options at the moment. 1. Transfer schools and get into a business school elsewhere and major in accounting, or 2. Find out is it possible to major in economics and go to grad school for accounting?? And if so I will remain at my current school. Any insight is much appreciated
This is a problem for many people who choose a college without a pre-admit to the business school. I always feel that is a dangerous path to travel. But it is what it is. If you stay where you are, will have to to find a grad school that has a 2 year MS in Accounting program for non-majors. They do exist. It really won’t matter what your undergrad major is although taking intro to micro and macroeconomics and as well as a statistics and calculus course (required in most business school curriculum) would be is a good idea. If you transfer and major in accounting at another college you will likely need to get a one year MS in Accounting as CPAs need to get 150 credits.
Question: I am an Accounting major going for the CPA. I live in Wisconsin, and applied to 3 universities to transfer out to from a 2 year University of Wisconsin College (in the UW System). I have been admitted to the university and School of Business (all in one) at 2 of them, however my primary choice (UW-Madison) postponed my decision. I applied to their School of Business’ BBA program, however they will not make a decision unless I am admitted to the University first (the Business School has its own application process). Should I wait, or pay the enrollment deposit at my alternative choice and go there?
@nkeshvala Please don’t “hijack” a post with your own question. If you have a question, make a new post.
My sincere apologies for appearing ignorant. As a result of my unethical behavior I will provide my advice on the primary post on this forum:
From my perspective, I think you should look at the long term goal. If you would like to go into Accounting and do not get admitted to your desired program, transfer out, and try to apply for the masters program at your desired (current) university.
Once again, my sincere apologies for appearing ignorant.
Why can’t you get into your schools accounting major? Do you not have the grades? Or do they only let a certain number in?
First of all, what are your states requirements for taking the CPA exam? If you want to be an accountant, that is what you need to consider. Second, if you cannot get that through your current schooling, you need to transfer. If you can get it through your current school but cannot get into the major because of limited numbers into the najor, you need to transfer. If you cannot get into the Accounting major because of your grades, you really need to consider another major.
The top four accounting firms and big regional firms are interested in strong recruits. Top grades, 3.3 or higher, well rounded ( clubs, extracurricular) and able to pass the CPA exam within 6 months to a year.
@morrismm A number of schools have an application process to get into the b-school. It is very competitive at some schools.
And there are ways to become an accountant after getting a liberal arts education as an undergraduate but it will take one extra year to complete a MS program. If the OP is very happy at the college he/she is at then there is a decision to be made – transfer or spend two years instead of one at a Master’s in Accounting program. My friend’s son was in the same predicament as the OP (also at a large public college) and ended up majoring in Econ and Spanish and going to an intensive MS in Accounting program afterwards. He is now at KPMG. As they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Also the GPA cutoff for Big 4 firms varies depending on the college one attends (I have done recruiting for a Big 4 firm). It can be lower than you noted at some of the top schools and it would have to be close to 4.0 at some very low ranked schools. And one does not have to pass the CPA exam within 6 months to a year. At some Big 4 firms the exam must be passed before promotion to senior (after second year of work) and at other Big 4 firms the exam must be passed before promotion to manager (after five years of work.) – but obviously everyone is happy if the exam is passed sooner rather than later.