My Choice to Attend the NC State Jenkins MAC Program

Author: Hannah

A little over a year ago, I began to seriously consider where to attend graduate school to earn my master of accounting degree. At the time, I was a few months away from starting my senior year at Azusa Pacific University near Los Angeles, California. Four years earlier I traded the Minnesota winters of my youth for the California sunshine. Having lived in the Midwest and the West Coast, but with aspirations to work on the East Coast, I contemplated schools all over the country. Like a good accountant, I made a spreadsheet of all the grad schools I was considering. I poured over each school’s website, read online forums and solicited advice from friends, professors and family. Eventually, I narrowed down to my top five schools and began applying.

Initially, I was most impressed with the Jenkins MAC Program’s job placement and CPA exam pass rates. With placement rates of 95-100% and CPA pass rates well above the national average, the statistics were hard to beat. But the more I found out about the Jenkins MAC Program, the more intrigued I became. The statistics were clearly the result of a thoughtful course structure taught by talented professors. The Jenkins MAC Program class profile was equally compelling. Students ranged from new college graduates like me to working professionals with a few years of experience. With 107 students in this year’s class, the program is large enough to achieve a diverse student set but small enough that no one gets lost in the shuffle.

But my choice to attend the Jenkins MAC Program was solidified during the application process. I quickly connected with everyone on the administrative staff. They were all very helpful in answering my many questions about the program. I visited NC State’s beautiful campus and instantly felt at home. I was equally delighted with the availability of funding, even for an out-of-state student like myself. NC State truly values scholarship and that is evidenced in the large number of MAC students who receive financial aid.

Since arriving at NC State, the Jenkins MAC Program has exceeded my expectations. Classes are engaging and coursework is challenging. Even in a few short weeks, I’ve gotten to know the other students in the program. I’m still adjusting to living in North Carolina, but I love it so far. The people are friendly, the food is delicious and the landscape is stunning. Last weekend, some of the MAC students went to the NC State football game. It was my first experience of State football – I was overwhelmed before I even parked the car! But nothing beats a stadium full of NC State fans during a big game. I am thrilled to be attending the NC State Jenkins MAC Program. I know the program will prepare me not only to pass the CPA exam but also to excel as an accounting professional.