Accounting PhD Profile Review - Please!

[cpa2phd]

I'm considering very seriously getting started into the application process for the fall of 2010 and was hoping to get some feedback on my profile and chances for acceptance into various "levels" of programs. Thanks!

GMAT: 720 (42V; 48Q; 5.5AWA)
GPA: UG - 3.75; Masters - 3.87 - Large, public university (top 50ish)
Major - UG - Acct/Bus Admin; Masters - Acct
Professional Exp. - 3 years of public accounting with Big 4 firm, CPA
Other Relevant Exp? - 2 years as TA/Head TA for Financial Acct class

[PhDCPA]

Your numbers look good - depending on your math background, I'd say you have a shot at just about every program, perhaps excepting Stanford, Chicago, Wharton, and the like. Have you taken calc, stats, and/or linear algebra? How about intermediate microecon? The tippity-top schools expect those classes before you enroll. Also, make sure you study up on research in your field of interest so that you can write a solid statement of purpose. Finally, get working on recommendations now. Getting three academic references is ideal; professional references, while acceptable, don't mean as much.

[cpa2phd]

I have taken Honors Engineering Calc I and II (earned an A and B, respectively) and taken Stats, but have not taken Linear Algebra. I have taken quite a bit of high level econ classes - got a "concentration" in Economics as part of my undergrad degree. I expect to have a couple academic references (professors I both had as instructors and worked for in college) and then one professional reference.

[PhDCPA]

With that background, I think schools will be fighting over you. Most people either have the accounting background or the quant background, and you seem to have a good mix of each. Aim high, but apply to a good mix of schools just in case.

[taxPhD]

I think you certainly have the numbers and quant background to make you a very attractive applicant for the vast majority of schools. Plus you have public accounting experience, which is certainly a great addition to the profile of any applicant.

You will probably want to start thinking a little bit about what you are interested in researching. At least a general area like financial, tax, auditing, or managerial. If you are looking financial then pretty much every school is fair game, but if you are looking tax or auditing then you will want to tailor our application list accordingly. Quite a few schools do not have much in terms of research faculty in tax or audit so you would want to make sure you are at a school that has the resources to provide you with the tools necessary to build a strong research background yourself.

Like PhDCPA said, you should certainly aim high, you have the numbers to do so. But you should also make sure not to only apply to those top 10 type programs. There are a lot of great programs out there, so do not get too caught up on the names like Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, Chicago, etc...

[EE570]

I would agree with the others. Your profile looks good.

Spend lots of time looking at programs and where you think you might fit in well. Unlike some other areas (finance for instance), in accounting, you can be placed at a top university even if you come from a university which is not Stanford, Chicago, etc. If you come from, say the University of Arizona (which is quite a good school), you can still be placed anywhere which is probably not true for areas besides accounting.

[cpa2phd]

Okay - I wanted to bring this evaluation back to life for your thoughts on my chances at a specific school - University of Texas-Austin.

I'd really like to go there, but at the same time, know that getting too set on a specific school can be foolish.

Any thoughts, tips, hints you might have would be much appreciated!!

[phdhope]

Well, I think that overall your application would be about average for UT-Austin. That being said, it will really depend on who applies there. I mean there are only about 4 openings. So things to do to make you standout:

1. Retake GMAT (this isn't really recommended unless you really think you could up it pretty seriously)
2. Learn more about getting a phd/ UT-Austin/ UT Austin faculty (most highly recommended thing you could do)
3. Look at the ADS program (if you are thinking tax or audit)

Most people apply to a ton of schools, the problem with this is they cannot answer really well in the statement of purpose or their interviews why they want to go to a particular school. Yes they can give reasons, but if you can talk to 5 professors and show that you know UT better than the next person, they will be impressed.

[cpa2phd]

Thanks - all good tips.

I am actually in the midst of the ADS program selection process - we are supposed to finding out which of the 60 finalists will be the 30 recipients...so, we'll see what happens!