I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any advice?

[Snaploud]

I just got accepted into Bentley University's part-time Masters of Science in Accountancy program!!!

Let the advice begin!!!

Oh, I also got a surprise in the acceptance letter. They're giving me the first class free (due to my previous academic work). That's a nice bonus because I didn't think they gave out any merit scholarships for their part-time programs.

They also waived the statistics and economics requirements, so I guess that will bring the degree down to 12 courses. There aren't any specific CPA work requirements in MA, so I should be able to go straight from the grad degree to the CPA (certified public accountant) exam. It's really exciting! They say this is a top 30 accounting program in the U.S., so I'm hoping this will give me a leg-up in the job market.

 

[firehawk12]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Not much advice to give on my end... other than congrats on getting into a Masters program with job prospects.

 

[Snaploud]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Not much advice to give on my end... other than congrats on getting into a Masters program with job prospects.

My undergraduate degree was in liberal arts. Talk about a tough degree to have in an economic downturn... Yeesh...

 

[Spot's Meow]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

How awesome! I am in a full time program with a full time job, so as you can imagine I am busy every second of the day. It looks like you won't be as busy as me, but my advice is to try and take as much time for yourself as possible, you will need the good rest for the tough parts.

 

[Mallory]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congrats Snaploud and good luck!

 

[firehawk12]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Not much advice to give on my end... other than congrats on getting into a Masters program with job prospects.

My undergraduate degree was in liberal arts. Talk about a tough degree to have in an economic downturn... Yeesh...

Hee, I'm doing an English Lit PhD, so you can imagine what people keep insisting my future job prospects are... apparently I can teach, or... I dunno... teach!

 

[RJDiogenes]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congrats, Snaploud.

Advice? Er... buy a calculator...?

 

[Holdfast]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Good God, accountancy. Can't even imagine wanting to do that... even a little light book-keeping bores me. Mind you, I think you'll find yourself much in demand for "just a little bit of quick advice" from friends & family & distant acquantainces you met once while on vacation once you qualify!

Just keep a record of all the billable hours you spend talking to them and then present them with final totals for the year in gilt-edged frames for their Christmas gifts...

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congratulations.

As for advice: put aside any ambitions of being a lion tamer straight away...

 

[Michael Chris]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congrats, Snaploud!

 

[JAG]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congratulations, that is quite an accomplishment.

 

[Vulcan Princess]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congratulations! I second the advice that Spot's Meow gives. Definitely take time for yourself. It's really easy to drown in studies and work, and there's a risk of burnout after a while. Even taking an afternoon off and just wasting time can be a huge lifesaver now and then.

 

[Brutal Strudel]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congratulations! My only advice is work hard but don't neglect your sleep. I was working full-time (high school teacher) and going to grad school full-time (3 night classes, 9 credits; they offered me a fellowship and I couldn't refuse) and the lack of sleep compromised my immune system to the point where I landed in the hospital with a severe infection of the throat. Sleep matters.

 

[Brutal Strudel]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Not much advice to give on my end... other than congrats on getting into a Masters program with job prospects.

My undergraduate degree was in liberal arts. Talk about a tough degree to have in an economic downturn... Yeesh...

Hee, I'm doing an English Lit PhD, so you can imagine what people keep insisting my future job prospects are... apparently I can teach, or... I dunno... teach!

Where are you studying? I hope to take my MA to PhD program in a year or two.

 

[CaptainStoner]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

I just got accepted into Bentley University's part-time Masters of Science in Accountancy program!!!

Let the advice begin!!!

Oh, I also got a surprise in the acceptance letter. They're giving me the first class free (due to my previous academic work). That's a nice bonus because I didn't think they gave out any merit scholarships for their part-time programs.

They also waived the statistics and economics requirements, so I guess that will bring the degree down to 12 courses. There aren't any specific CPA work requirements in MA, so I should be able to go straight from the grad degree to the CPA (certified public accountant) exam. It's really exciting! They say this is a top 30 accounting program in the U.S., so I'm hoping this will give me a leg-up in the job market.

My advice is that you get a large abacus.

 

[Snaploud]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Thanks, guys. I'll try to stay away from the lion tamer business, look into purchasing an abacus, and make sure to spend enough time relaxing. All great advice! Keep 'em coming!

 

[shrantastic]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

Congratulations!

my grad school must-haves:

- a three hole punch (I keep all my notes and handouts in binders)
- eye drops (for endless reading)
- friends who aren't in your program (to keep your sanity)

other advice:

- Make sure the departmental secretary knows who you are- and make sure you are on her/his good side.
- Volunteer for committees within your department so faculty get to know you, and know you are serious.
- Join whatever professional organization represents accounting, then join a lesser, more specialized one too.
- Be accounting's representative on Graduate Student Senate.
- Is there a student group for accounting? You're in it.

These things all pay off when you are looking for a job, internship or a PhD program. They don't even take up that much time.

 

[Lindley]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

^All that stuff is a lot harder when you're part-time.

 

[shrantastic]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

^All that stuff is a lot harder when you're part-time.

Harder, but necessary. I worked while I was in school- most meetings are only once a month (thank goodness), Graduate Student Senate had free lunch, even. The point is to become known in your department- in a good way. Like that creep Woody Allen said "Eighty percent of success is showing up". If you're going to be an accountant, be THE ACCOUNTANT!

 

[Lindley]

Re: I just got accepted into grad school!! (Accounting Degree) Any adv

It certainly doesn't hurt. Get to know the professors you like best a bit at the least.

I just got my Masters degree last weekend.