Academic Profile (I apologize for any ambiguity, but I wish to inquire anonymously :shy:):
BA in Business Administration w/ concentration in International Business
BS in Accounting
Minor in Spanish
Masters of Accountancy w/ concentration in Tax
GPA:3.4
I attended the same university for undergraduate and graduate degrees, and it routinely finishes in the top 10 of scoring nationwide on the CPA exam. Additionally, I was very involved with a number of organizations on campus; I assume, however, that this fact is nearly irrelevant at this point.
GMAT: 650 (79th percentile) (42 Verbal, 36 Quantitative). I scored WELL above this on all simulated exams (GMAT provided and 3rd party), but honestly I don’t do well under lots of pressure. I’m wary of retaking the exam, as it’s always possible I’ll do worse.
After graduating I studied full-time for the Uniform CPA Exam, and passed all parts on my first attempts (avg. score of 82, again, not great under pressure). I do not have my license quite yet, as my state board requires new CPA’s to work a full year for licensing.
I know that ideally programs would like applicants to have experience in Big 4 accounting, but I for a multitude of reasons I chose to work in industry, and honestly feel I have learned more than many of my peers who went Big 4. I began working in the tax department of a fast-growing Fortune 500 company after completion of my exam in November 2011. Our department is comprised of 7 employees responsible for all income and sales taxes, and I report directly to the head of the department. I deal with assignments on both the income and sales tax sides and have taken the lead on several important research projects, cost-benefit analysis/tax planning projects, as well as general compliance and reporting.
I am very involved in my community, as a volunteer with BBBS and my parish’s youth ministry. I am also very active in general, playing for a men's rugby team, and running 2 marathons per year. (Again, this may be completely irrelevant, but may come in hand during an interview).
I am interested in applying to: Arizona State, University of Memphis, Ole Miss, Florida International, Southern Illinois, LSU, & Arkansas
I realize I’m not a shoe-in for any of these schools (and four of them are probably “reach schools”), but am I completely unrealistic with where I’m looking? If so, where would you suggest? Thanks!