[yarnim]

Hello all and first of all, I am very sorry if this post does not belong in this forum. But I did not know of a better place to ask.

My procrastination has really hit me and I am now required to have the 150 credit req for licensure in one of the last states to adopt the new rule, in CO.

Having only the 120 hours, I can still sit for the exam, but since I am going to be needing the extra credits anyway, Ive decided I might as well go for MAcc since I did forget most of what I learned in undergrad (more than 5 yrs ago!) and really

could use some up to date information and education in accounting to help me through the exam and in helping me land a job.

So being in Colorado, I am not sure how many of you would be familiar with the area and the schools in the state, but I have applied to CU Boulder and UC Denver (both part of the colorado university system). Aside from Denver Univ’s well known tax program, I believe CU boulder is probably the best in state college for business, and UCD probably being somewhat competitive regionally at best.

I’ve already been accepted at UCDenver, but at CU Boulder, I am still awaiting an answer because my GMAT wasnt too impressive. But I have been speaking with the program director and my impression is that she is fairly confident in me. She’s told me that I should expect an answer by tomorrow (if anything, I am going to have to re-take the GMAT).

I was set and clear on going to Boulder initially, but after taking into consideration the tuition and all the related living expenses and what not, it was going to be nearly double the amount vs going to UCD. Plus, I was told straight off the bat that there aren’t many financing options for the program at Boulder. On the other hand, when I visited UCD, they were boasting about how many sponsors they had and how many scholarship opportunities they had available.

Key differences between the two are:

I was told that all big 4 accounting firms recruit mostly from Boulder in CO, or CSU (did not apply there). For UCD, when I asked around, they did not even have a set date for an upcoming career fair and no one gave me a clear answer on whether or not there was even an opportunity to network with the big 4. Some online research seems to indicate that they do visit UCD from time to time, but not all 4.

So it looks like there are definitely more (and probably better) opportunities for internships and such via career fairs of sort at CU Boulder.

But at the same time, UCD is located in the heart of Denver Downtown surrounded by big firms and companies everywhere you turn. It is strictly business oriented school for working adults, where there are probably going to be a lot of working professionals in classes. They don’t even offer day classes! I was told that all classes will be in the evenings and at night. I am thinking perhaps that might even be a better connection opportunity with the peers, but nothing is for certain.

Another positive side is that I can probably look for different opportunities by myself around the school knocking on every door. If that works out, commuting to school and work would be super easy all in the downtown.

Now Boulder is a very traditional university setting, and I believe most students will be coming straight from undergrad, in their extended 5 yr program geared towards CPA licensure. Theres also going to be some age difference between them and I, being 30 yrs old, if that matters at all.

One last concern, I know that I am going to have to try really hard and prepare well for it regardless, but being 30 yrs old and in grad school, would the big 4 even be interested in giving me an internship?

Sorry the post got really lengthy but any insight would help me decide better!