<p>I got admission from WUStL and USC for Master of Accounting program. </p>
<p>I don't know how to choose. USC has better location and maybe better placement figures. But the ranking of WUStL is really high. Can anybody tell me which school is better?</p>
<p>Many thanks!!</p>
<p>I take it that you are currently enrolled at another college? I’m 99% sure that MACC programs (as they are Master’s level programs) need a GMAT or GRE score and some previous college coursework. I don’t know how you’d apply for that if you were in high school, and I know you can’t apply for WUSTL’s MACC program until you are a college student.</p>
<p>If you do go to WUSTL undergrad, then I believe you are basically automatically accepted provided that you have a certain GPA (likely a 3.5) and a decent GMAT score. </p>
<p>I really can’t speak to USC’s program, but I know WUSTL’s MACC program is great. The accounting classes really prepare you for many different types of accounting. There are tons of classes offered in Tax and Auditing, especially. </p>
<p>The MACC program is a logical way to also get enough credits to sit for your CPA (for which you need 150 hours of college classes, which usually amounts to 5 years in most cases) along with a Master’s Degree. </p>
<p>From my upperclassmen friends who have graduated with Accounting majors, they all had little difficulty in getting hired by the Big 4 firms. Most of them ended up in NYC or Chicago last year, and 2 of my business school friends stayed in St Louis to work. All of the Big 4 firms, and the big regional ones, recruit directly on campus. I’d imagine its even easier than that to get hired if you are getting MACC and CPA. </p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? The size of the campus is probably the biggest difference between USC and WUSTL. WUSTL will have smaller class sizes, and a smaller and more intimate b-school with more individual attention. I’m sure the quality of education at USC is fine, but it really depends what kind of environment you’re looking for. If you want to do things besides business (like some liberal arts), then WUSTL clearly has the edge up with the ease of flexibility and double majoring. I don’t know a single business school student that doesn’t have more than one major.</p>
<p>Thanks vbball90. </p>
<p>Actually I do have GMAT scores, and I have already got a bachelor degree in another university. </p>
<p>It is no doubted that the MACC program in Olin is great. I haven’t visited the campus either for WUSTL or USC. But I really like WUStL(the small size of class )and really want to go there. However, currently the only reason that still bothers me is the job opportunity. </p>
<p>As I know, there is not as many job opportunities in St. Louis as in LA. You know students in USC may have more chances to do internship in Big 4 companies in LA, and therefore easy to get a job there. </p>
<p>But students from WUStL may need to hunt for jobs across the whole United States. My concern is whether the reputation of WUStL is good enough for students compete with the local top-tier universities students if we want to get a job in other big cities like NY or Chichago?</p>
<p>lovesilvia-</p>
<p>I must respectfully disagree with the career-related statements in your post. ALL of the Big 4 companies have offices in St Louis. And there are a number of regional public accounting firms with headquarters or offices STL. </p>
<p>In terms of internships, you’re not going to be having an internship while taking classes. I mean, you just can’t have a full time class schedule and have an internship.</p>
<p>Most people will do an internship over the summer, which can be in ANY city (LA, STL, Chicago, NYC). I don’t see why you would be limited to only being in the area where your school is. And, as said before… if you do want to have an internship in the city your school is in, all of the Big 4 companies have offices in STL, and there are a number of other regional firms that do as well. </p>
<p>Companies send their recruiters directly to interview on campus (this is the case for both USC and Wash U and other schools). You’ll probably interview for a company’s specific location… like interviewing for KPMG’s office in Chicago, for instance. Also, I’m sure that getting a degree from WUSTL will look better on your resume than a degree from USC’s, just in terms of reputation alone, for corporate recruiters on a nationwide basis. I’m only one person, but WUSTL’s business school is small enough where the people I do know represent a decent sample here… and most of my upperclassmen friends ended up in NYC or Chicago (only 2 in St Louis).</p>
<p>Almost everything that’s been said here is off the mark or irrelevant.</p>
<p>USC’s MAcc is a top-5 program. It’s not only highly ranked but extensive. USC has a School of Accountancy, not just a department, and it offers Master of Businss Tax also. That WashU is ranked higher in college ranking means absolutely nothing in this case.</p>
<p>That said, accounting firms, even the Big4, hire regionally for their accounting practice. That means if you want to work in LA, go to USC; if you want to work in St. Lous, go to WashU. The office in St. Louis isn’t go to fly to Los Angeles to recruit just because USC’s program is ranked higher.</p>