UIUC Business in 3 Years?

orngblu
Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:58:32 +0000

PAt1120

If you are interested in accounting, Illinois is definitely the way to go. The big four accounting firms hire over 400 grads each year from Illinois. Last year they hired under 50 from Michigan, I don’t know about Cal. Also, even though many of these graduates went to the Big 4, do not be fooled into thinking they all went audit/CPA route. There are about 250 accounting grads last year, so about 150 went to work for the Big 4 accounting firms doing something else. Remember, these are also some of the largest consulting firms in the world.

As for graduating in 3 years, I did that myself back in 1984, with only 17 AP credits coming in. I supplemented with a couple of summer school courses and took a couple semesters with 18 hours. Sounds like with all your AP you could be done in 3 years easily, if you choose to. Or, if you want to take the CPA exam, stay for a fourth year, earn a masters and then take the exam. It is much easier to take before you get immersed in a job.

Finally, beware those who tout Michigan as a better business school. The placement stats for Michigan and Illinois are virtually identical in most respects except that Michigan Ross tends to be 3-5% higher in starting compensation. But that is because more Michigan grads head to the east cost (i.e. much higher cost of living).