Accounting

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to the M.Ac. Program?
If you go to: tippie.uiowa.edu/accounting/mac/admission.cfm you can find all the information you need to apply to the M.Ac. Program including a link to the Application for Graduate Admission. All applicants are strongly urged to apply on-line; however, a student may download a printed application and mail it with their application fee. On-line applications require a VISA or Mastercard credit card to pay the application fee. Students should note the Admission Requirements of the Graduate College (of which the M.Ac. Program is a part).

What happens after I apply?

You will receive an email confirmation from the Office of Admissions (because of this it is important to give a valid email address on your application). This email will contain your HawkID and Password. Keep this email in a safe place, you will need your HawkID and password to check your application results on ISIS.

Where can I access ISIS?

If you go to www.uiowa.edu and click on A-Z Search at the top of the page, then choose ‘I’ and scroll down, you can find ISIS. Remember you will need your HawkID and Password to access ISIS.

What is the minimum required GMAT score?
There is no minimum required composite score, but the Admissions Committee requires at least 50% on the verbal portion. The average composite score of the 2008-09 class was 629. Students with a score of less than a 550 are only very rarely admitted.

Can I submit the GRE in lieu of the GMAT?
No. The GMAT is required of all applicants to the M.Ac. Program.

What is the minimum required TOEFL score?
Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, and 100 on the Internet-based test.

Can I submit the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in lieu of the TOEFL?
Yes. The minimum required IELTS score should be 7.0 with no section score lower than 6.0. It is the student's sole responsibility to ensure that IELTS scores are correctly delivered to the University of Iowa, Office of Admissions.

Can I waive the IELTS or TOEFL?
Prior to consideration for admission, international student applicants whose native language is other than English must take and pass either the TOEFL or the IELTS, unless they have received a degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand. In those cases the IELTS or TOEFL will be waived.

Is there a minimum required undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average)?
The M.Ac. Program is a part of the Graduate College. The Graduate College requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or better for admission.

What is the tuition for the M.Ac. Program?
If you go to www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/costs/mac.html, you will find information about the cost of attendance for both domestic and international students.

When can I start the M.Ac. Program?
A student can start the M.Ac. Program in the fall (August), spring (January), or summer (June).

How many students apply to the M.Ac. Program each year?
Between 100 and 120 students apply to the M.Ac. Program every year.

How many students start the M.Ac. Program each year?
Approximately 55 to 60 students start the M.Ac. Program each year.

What makes my application "complete"?
Your application is considered complete when all of the following have been received by the M.Ac. program assistant, Jean Thompson (jean-thompson@uiowa.edu, W259 PBB):

  • You have filled out the application form (either on-line or on paper) and paid your application fee. As soon as the Office of Admissions receives your application fee, a Recommendation Form is forwarded to the M.Ac. Program Assistant. Your application file is created upon receipt of the Recommendation Form. The M.Ac. Program Assistant will download a copy of your on-line application.
  • Official GMAT and TOEFL scores. Photocopies of your scores are not acceptable. You must request that Pearson forward your GMAT scores to The University of Iowa, code 4RL-2J-38. You also must request that ETS forward your TOEFL scores to The University of Iowa, code 6681.
  • A Statement of Purpose.
  • A current Resume.
  • A Cover Letter is strongly recommended but not required.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work. The M.Ac. Program Assistant will download official transcripts for University of Iowa students.
  • Three Letters of Reference. Undergraduate accounting majors at The University of Iowa do not need to provide letters of reference.
  • The Scholarship Application (online form) and Designation of Area of Specialization forms also should be included but are not required.

You may be contacted by the M.Ac. Program Assistant about the status of your application, so it is important to provide a current e-mail address on your application form.

Where do I find the Scholarship Application and the Designation of Area of Specialization forms?
If you go to tippie.uiowa.edu/accounting/mac/admission.cfm you will find links to these forms. Note that the Designation of Area of Specialization form is under links titled "UI Student Application" and "on-UI Student Application." You may also stop in W252 PBB to pick up these forms.

When should I apply to the M.Ac. Program?
You should apply as soon as you know you want to attend the M.Ac. Program but no earlier than one year before you plan to start. NOTE: If you want to be considered for a teaching assistant position, you must apply by March 1.

What are the application deadlines?

SeasonMonthDomestic DeadlineInternational Deadline
SummerJuneApril 15March 1
FallAugustJuly 15April 15
SpringJanuaryDecember 1October 1

When will my application be reviewed by the Admissions Committee?
The Admissions Committee reviews completed applications on five dates: October 1, December 1, March 1, April 15, and July 15. Only applications considered "complete" will be reviewed (see above).

How long until I find out whether or not I was admitted?
Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed on the next review date. You should be able to see your results on ISIS approximately two weeks after your application is reviewed. If the applicant pool is very large, it may take longer.

Who can write my Letters of Reference?
You should ask former/current employers or instructors to write your Letters of Reference.

Can two people sign a Letter of Reference?
Yes, as long as you have a total of three separate Letters of Reference.

How much does it cost to apply to the M.Ac. Program?
The fee is $60 for domestic students and $85 for international students.

I am paying my application fee by check. To whom should I make the check?
Make the check payable to "The University of Iowa." All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars in either a check drawn on a U.S. bank, a U.S. Postal Service money order, or an international money order. Do not send cash.

Do I have to pay a fee to apply to the M.Ac. Program?
Yes, your fee MUST accompany your application or it will not be processed.

I changed my mind and have decided not to attend the M.Ac. Program. Can I get my fee refunded?
No. The fee is nonrefundable.

Where should I send my application materials?
Submit the following to the Office of Admissions, The University of Iowa, 107 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1396 USA:

  • Application for Graduate Admission — Items A-C
  • Application for Graduate Admission — Items G-J (signed and dated)
  • Financial Statement for International Applicants — Item K (international applicants only)
  • $60 application processing fee; $85 for international students
  • Official academic records/transcripts (send one set to the Office of Admissions and one set to the Department of Accounting, 108 John Pappajohn Business Building, Suite W252, Iowa City, IA 52242-1396).
  • Official GMAT score report from Pearson. The University's institution code is 4RL-2J-38.
  • Official TOEFL score report (if applicable) from Educational Testing Service. The University's institution code is 6681.

Submit the following to the M.Ac. Program, Department of Accounting, Henry B. Tippie College of Business, W252 PBB, Iowa City, IA 52242. (You also may drop off your materials at W252 PBB between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.):

  • Application for Graduate Admission — Items A-C
  • Application for Graduate Admission — Items D-F (including your Statement of Purpose—Item E on a separate sheet)
  • Official academic records/transcripts (send one set to the Office of Admissions and one set to the M.Ac. Program)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A current Resume
  • A Cover Letter
  • A Scholarship Application (fill out on-line)
  • Designation of Area of Specialization Form

Do I have to turn in all of my application materials at once?
No, but remember that your application will not be reviewed until it is considered "complete."

If I have questions or concerns about my application materials, to whom should I speak?
You should talk to the M.Ac. Program Assistant (Jean Thompson). She can be reached at jean-thompson@uiowa.edu, 319-335-0913, or in W259 PBB. The best time of day to reach her is 10 a.m.

If I have questions about the M.Ac. Program, to whom should I speak and how can I contact them?
The Director and Academic Advisor of the M.Ac. Program is Tom Carroll. He may be reached at thomas-carroll@uiowa.edu, 319-335-2727, or in S324 PBB.

Additionally, you may contact the M.Ac. Program Assistant (see above).