TestMagic

amcpsu · 2009 October 23rd, 08:53 AM

Hello everyone,

I am currently an undergraduate at Penn State University and am considering applying to an accounting PhD program. I still have another year of undergrad, so any advice on additional courses to take and anything else to improve my application would be appreciated.

School: Penn State - Schreyer Honors College
Major: Business with Accounting Concentration
GPA: 4.0
Relevant coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Micro/Macro economics, calc I and II, statistics, introductory finance
Research: I have collaborated with a faculty member on a research project. My project won the annual colloquium at my school. I have presented this research at one professional, national conference with my professor. I am planning to attend another conference with this research this summer. The research is in labor economics, not accounting, however, I did gain experience in econometrics and statistics. I also worked with Stata and SPSS programs.
Also, for graduation in the honors program, I will be writing a thesis - which I plan to do on an accounting topic.
Work: Limited - I work at a local public accounting firm over the summers.
Other: I tutor accounting and statistics for Penn State.

I have not taken the GMAT yet, but plan to later this year. - Note that I do understand that my score will be a critical part of my application, I am studying hard!

Thanks!

phdhope · 2009 October 23rd, 01:59 PM

I would recommend going for a masters or getting some more work experience in accounting. Most people in accounting phd programs have one or the other or both. GMAT is definitely something that is important to study for. I would imagine you could benefit from more experience with the programs and tools used the labor economics research. Don't forget the LORs. And of course, I heartily recommend studying everything you can about this so you can make a sure decision of what, where, when, and how you are going to study.

auditing · 2009 October 23rd, 02:32 PM

If you are interested in financial accounting, I think your are ready to apply....the guys who are focus in that field are people with great knowledge of statistics and economics and you have both....about classes I think you should take Lineal Algebra, which will help you lots is advance statistis and econometrics classes and an upper level of statistics like regression or so...

If you wanna apply to auditing, work experience I think is a must....otherwise you do not need it to much...

Quote:

Originally Posted by phdhope

I would recommend going for a masters or getting some more work experience in accounting. Most people in accounting phd programs have one or the other or both. GMAT is definitely something that is important to study for. I would imagine you could benefit from more experience with the programs and tools used the labor economics research. Don't forget the LORs. And of course, I heartily recommend studying everything you can about this so you can make a sure decision of what, where, when, and how you are going to study.

dusklife · 2009 October 23rd, 03:47 PM

I think if you have an interest in financial accounting and want to just add classes to be as competitive as possible you'd be good with more math + economics. Strictly as far as taking more classes to have a better looking application I think math+econ is the best way to go.

Otherwise for managerial, tax, ais, etc. those courses shouldn't really be needed but would, to a lesser extent, still make you more competitive.

You've got a somewhat similar profile to mine (will be right out of UG, good academic numbers, good other attributes) so best of luck! A master's always looks good, but if you're like me you realize that the mental and financial effort of going through a master's program (not to mention the risk of cracking the GPA) isn't worth it if you can get straight into a PhD program out of UG - so it's worth a shot.

amcpsu · 2009 October 24th, 12:07 AM

Thank you for the responses. Just to clarify, I am interested in financial accounting. I was hoping that my research experience will make up for my lack of work experience, but I am not sure if it works that way.

I will look into more math and economics courses. I am definitely thinking of taking a matrices course offered because it seems that this course will include a more in-depth education in linear algebra. - thanks for the suggestions on courses to take

dusklife- Thanks for the luck! I am planning on applying to masters programs as a back-up for if I do not get into a PhD program, but I agree with you that the commitment (especially the financial commitment) of a masters program is going to be difficult for me.

PhDCPA · 2009 October 24th, 04:10 PM

I also think you're ready to apply, given that your GMAT is as good as your GPA. If you're gunning for top schools, you'll need at least 700, probably more like 750.

Linear algebra and econometrics are good recommendations for additional courses to take. Upper level finance could also be helpful. Basically anything related to math, econ, or finance that requires quant skills will be helpful if you're into financial accounting.

Also, Penn State has a good accounting PhD program - maybe you could ask to sit in on a PhD seminar.

longshot · 2009 October 24th, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhDCPA

Also, Penn State has a good accounting PhD program - maybe you could ask to sit in on a PhD seminar.

Seconded, but don't just sit in, take the course. If you have an letter of reference from an accounting faculty speaking to your ability to succeed in PhD level coursework, you'll be golden.

PhDCPA · 2009 October 25th, 03:51 PM

Yes, that would be even better. I think I was assuming the OP is applying this year and thus the seminar wouldn't be on his/her transcript when s/he applies.

amcpsu · 2009 October 26th, 12:47 AM

I will definitely look into a PhD seminar, I am also going to try to attend the colloquiums and other events held by the PhD program here.

One more question, for my honors thesis, do you think that I should research a topic that I would want to continue in my PhD? Or would it be better to do something new for the PhD?

Thanks again everyone.

2009 October 23rd, 08:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
amcpsu I JUST got here. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Accounting PhD Application Advice Hello everyone, I am currently an undergraduate at Penn State University and am considering applying to an accounting PhD program. I still have another year of undergrad, so any advice on additional courses to take and anything else to improve my application would be appreciated. School: Penn State - Schreyer Honors College Major: Business with Accounting Concentration GPA: 4.0 Relevant coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Micro/Macro economics, calc I and II, statistics, introductory finance Research: I have collaborated with a faculty member on a research project. My project won the annual colloquium at my school. I have presented this research at one professional, national conference with my professor. I am planning to attend another conference with this research this summer. The research is in labor economics, not accounting, however, I did gain experience in econometrics and statistics. I also worked with Stata and SPSS programs. Also, for graduation in the honors program, I will be writing a thesis - which I plan to do on an accounting topic. Work: Limited - I work at a local public accounting firm over the summers. Other: I tutor accounting and statistics for Penn State. I have not taken the GMAT yet, but plan to later this year. - Note that I do understand that my score will be a critical part of my application, I am studying hard! Thanks!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2009 October 23rd, 01:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
phdhope Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 105	I would recommend going for a masters or getting some more work experience in accounting. Most people in accounting phd programs have one or the other or both. GMAT is definitely something that is important to study for. I would imagine you could benefit from more experience with the programs and tools used the labor economics research. Don't forget the LORs. And of course, I heartily recommend studying everything you can about this so you can make a sure decision of what, where, when, and how you are going to study.

2009 October 23rd, 03:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
dusklife Eager! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 50	I think if you have an interest in financial accounting and want to just add classes to be as competitive as possible you'd be good with more math + economics. Strictly as far as taking more classes to have a better looking application I think math+econ is the best way to go. Otherwise for managerial, tax, ais, etc. those courses shouldn't really be needed but would, to a lesser extent, still make you more competitive. You've got a somewhat similar profile to mine (will be right out of UG, good academic numbers, good other attributes) so best of luck! A master's always looks good, but if you're like me you realize that the mental and financial effort of going through a master's program (not to mention the risk of cracking the GPA) isn't worth it if you can get straight into a PhD program out of UG - so it's worth a shot.

2009 October 24th, 12:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
amcpsu I JUST got here. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Thank you for the responses. Just to clarify, I am interested in financial accounting. I was hoping that my research experience will make up for my lack of work experience, but I am not sure if it works that way. I will look into more math and economics courses. I am definitely thinking of taking a matrices course offered because it seems that this course will include a more in-depth education in linear algebra. - thanks for the suggestions on courses to take dusklife- Thanks for the luck! I am planning on applying to masters programs as a back-up for if I do not get into a PhD program, but I agree with you that the commitment (especially the financial commitment) of a masters program is going to be difficult for me.

2009 October 24th, 04:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
PhDCPA Within my grasp! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 178	I also think you're ready to apply, given that your GMAT is as good as your GPA. If you're gunning for top schools, you'll need at least 700, probably more like 750. Linear algebra and econometrics are good recommendations for additional courses to take. Upper level finance could also be helpful. Basically anything related to math, econ, or finance that requires quant skills will be helpful if you're into financial accounting. Also, Penn State has a good accounting PhD program - maybe you could ask to sit in on a PhD seminar.

2009 October 25th, 03:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
PhDCPA Within my grasp! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 178	Yes, that would be even better. I think I was assuming the OP is applying this year and thus the seminar wouldn't be on his/her transcript when s/he applies.

2009 October 26th, 12:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
amcpsu I JUST got here. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	I will definitely look into a PhD seminar, I am also going to try to attend the colloquiums and other events held by the PhD program here. One more question, for my honors thesis, do you think that I should research a topic that I would want to continue in my PhD? Or would it be better to do something new for the PhD? Thanks again everyone.

TestMagic

Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice tests