Anonymous wrote:A diversity hire will have offers from all the firms.

First, this is not true and not the point of the OP’s question. However, this post reflects what many of these URM/ first gen haters constantly disregard. We are talking about real human beings, kids, who work extremely hard and are looking at college as a place to grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. No one is resting on a false narrative about a “diversity hire”. This response to the OP’s genuine concern for the well-being of her child is gross.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it’s better for your solid B student (at hard private) to go to a college where they would be top of the class and get 4.0 or attend a prestigious school like BC, Vandy, etc and have a 3.0. My DC plans on studying accounting and getting a job right after undergrad. Does anyone know how the big 5 ( or whatever it is now) recruit? My DC got into a “ prestigious” school EA ( not Ivy) but I’m I just don’t know if it’s a good fit. Thank you!

To which prestigious school has your daughter been admitted ?

I ask for a few reasons including the fact that Vanderbilt University does not offer an undergraduate degree in accounting--just masters degrees.

Anonymous wrote:Colleges are not harder or easier based on USNWR ranking. Your kid will likely get the same grades at either school. Do not foolishly assume your HS B student will suddenly become an A student at a college just because you look down your nose at the brand.

+1 This. The difference between the education at a USNWR ranked 25 and 75 is close to zero. I feel like it is immigrants or first gen people that just don’t get this fact. It honestly is not different. Open your eyes, DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it’s better for your solid B student (at hard private) to go to a college where they would be top of the class and get 4.0 or attend a prestigious school like BC, Vandy, etc and have a 3.0. My DC plans on studying accounting and getting a job right after undergrad. Does anyone know how the big 5 ( or whatever it is now) recruit? My DC got into a “ prestigious” school EA ( not Ivy) but I’m I just don’t know if it’s a good fit. Thank you!

To which prestigious school has your daughter been admitted ?

Anonymous wrote:Accounting is one of those things where a brand name (based on common rankings) may not be necessary. There are many lower tier schools with very strong and highly regarded accounting programs, and the top firms regularly hire their graduates. So, it really depends on what her other options are. Did you research the accounting programs and their placement for all the schools?

This is an excellent response for those interested in auditing/assurance division rather than consulting/advisory. However, recruiting for consulting/advisory division at a Big 4 may focus on certain schools.

(Ignore the poster who has an issue with KPMG. That poster probably had a bad experience with KPMG.)

KPMG designed masters degree curriculum is taught at 8 universities ( Arizona State, Ohio State, U Georgia, Baylor, Va Tech, Missouri, USC, U Mississippi).

I believe that KPMG has a scholarship program for AA females, but not certain as I just found it with a quick Google search on another accounting education issue.

The best accounting schools are Texas, Indiana, Notre Dame, Baruch, Bentley, Illinois, Michigan, U Penn, USC, U Florida, Ohio State, BYU and some others that I cannot recall at this time.

CPA standards now essentially require a 5th year of accounting courses. Most students get a one year masters degree in either accounting or taxation in order to have enough credits for the CPA exam licensing requirements.

Accounting is one of those things where a brand name (based on common rankings) may not be necessary. There are many lower tier schools with very strong and highly regarded accounting programs, and the top firms regularly hire their graduates. So, it really depends on what her other options are. Did you research the accounting programs and their placement for all the schools?

Anonymous wrote:For jobs and recruiting school usually trumps transcripts

+1. Of course the grades should not be terrible, but decent grades at Vandy should be good. If money is no object, I think I would go for the name here, since he wants a job offer right out of undergrad.

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it’s better for your solid B student (at hard private) to go to a college where they would be top of the class and get 4.0 or attend a prestigious school like BC, Vandy, etc and have a 3.0. My DC plans on studying accounting and getting a job right after undergrad. Does anyone know how the big 5 ( or whatever it is now) recruit? My DC got into a “ prestigious” school EA ( not Ivy) but I’m I just don’t know if it’s a good fit. Thank you!

I suggest you look at corporate recruiting out of the schools. Does one school have much better placement than the other?

But in a more general sense, the 'best fit' for your DC shouldn't be more based on where s/he will be happiest. A happy kid has a much better change at flourishing at a school than a miserable kid.

Also - factor in wiggle room if DC gets to uni and changes his/her mind about career aspirations. Many kids enter university firmly convinced about their career path and then start to change their mind once they get into their university courses.

A diversity hire will have offers from all the firms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it’s better for your solid B student (at hard private) to go to a college where they would be top of the class and get 4.0 or attend a prestigious school like BC, Vandy, etc and have a 3.0. My DC plans on studying accounting and getting a job right after undergrad. Does anyone know how the big 5 ( or whatever it is now) recruit? My DC got into a “ prestigious” school EA ( not Ivy) but I’m I just don’t know if it’s a good fit. Thank you!

Big 5 hire a lot across the spectrum. Even from Virginia Tech Accounting. You don't need a Vandy degree to get that job.

There isn’t a Big 5. There’s a Big 4. And really, you can barely count KPMG so it’s really a Big 3. And once EY splits into two entities it will basically be a Big 2 and then KPMG and the assurance function of EY.

Colleges are not harder or easier based on USNWR ranking. Your kid will likely get the same grades at either school. Do not foolishly assume your HS B student will suddenly become an A student at a college just because you look down your nose at the brand.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. She has a 3.4 from DC private. She did get in a highly regarded (atleast here on the forum). Has decent ACT, she is AA, 2 varsity sports, summer job, etc. i think she is a solid applicant. I just think (not being a college grad) that there would be so much more pressure at a smaller competitive college than say Va Tech…

Congratulations on the great admit. You must be a proud parent!

Now here's what most UMC parents would do.. We send our kids to the best school we can afford and expect our kids to do as best as they can. You should do the same. Life is not easy, so no point in coddling them in college. Even if you choose to send her to a "lower tier" school, say VA tech, it doesn't automatically imply that competition will be any less. I did a masters program at VA tech and one of the students in my class was an undergrad honors student who was aceing all the Master's level classes. Also, according to DCUM, you get a lot more attention and help at smaller, private schools.

Her being a first-gen student and URM will help her with jobs from anywhere but her experience and networking from a higher tier school will go a long way.

Accounting is a great field to go into right now bc there are so many jobs. I work at a small boutique firm in a specialty area. We have a very hard time recruiting even offering training bc there are so many jobs out there in the field. I’m not up on what the Big 4 does (when I worked at one of those firms, it was the Big 6). If that is your dd’s goal, there are many very large firms just below the Big 4 that will offer her great training and experience. She can ultimately move to a Big 4 if she wants after a couple of years of work. It is a very versatile degree. Good luck to her!

Anonymous wrote:No I’m saying she has always been a good B student. She works extremely hard for the grades. Unlike some students at her HS who are just so naturally smart that it’s easy for them. It’s not easy for her. Countless hours studying. It is totally her choice based on many factors but I’m trying to give her rd best advice based on what she wants in the future, which is to be a Partner in a big firm.

Competitive schools come with competitive classmates. My oldest was always an A is the only option kid, wanted competitive, strong big 4 recruiting, and a work hard play hard school. He chose Lehigh, and was honestly surprised at how lesser prepared many students from northern schools are when compared to the dc area, but he had a blast and he and many classmates had big 4 internships for junior summer in place by fall of sophomore year. He is now with Deloitte in NYC.

My younger was always a B (and occasional C) student. He wanted a more laid back environment. He chose Elon, has found classes relatively easy, and will be interning with KPMG advisory in NYC this summer.

That being said, the “target school” pipeline is real. The big 4 are relatively accessible from most colleges, but for consulting, places like BCG and Charles River will tell you to your face that they will review your application after they are finished with their target schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No I’m saying she has always been a good B student. She works extremely hard for the grades. Unlike some students at her HS who are just so naturally smart that it’s easy for them. It’s not easy for her. Countless hours studying. It is totally her choice based on many factors but I’m trying to give her rd best advice based on what she wants in the future, which is to be a Partner in a big firm.

A think a reach school for a kid like that could damage her self esteem (I.e., if she consistently underperforms her peers). Confidence is another thing you need for career success.

My kid really blossomed as a big fish in a small pond.

I appreciate this response and that is totally what I’m thinking!

I agree.