Application Requirements

Our most successful M.S. in Accounting applicants are well-rounded individuals who:

• Seek to be engaged in and outside of the classroom
• Possess exceptional intellectual capabilities with proven academic preparation
• Value inclusion and pursue opportunities to understand and learn from individuals from different backgrounds and with perspectives or life experience(s) different to their own
• Share a number of qualities of character such as motivation, maturity, tenacity, integrity, collaboration, resilience, and leadership
• Have a passion for the field of accounting and strive to be data driven and client ready professionals

M.S. in Accounting Application Checklist

Download our Application Checklist to stay on track throughout the application process. 

Your application to the M.S. Accounting Program will include:

• Completed online application
• Resume
• Two required essays
• Transcripts and academic records from every college and/or university attended
• TOEFL or IELTS score (if applicable)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Non-refundable $85 application fee
• Interview, by invitation

Essay Prompts

Applicants to the M.S. in Accounting Program must complete two required essays and may choose to share additional information using the optional essay. 

• Goals Essay (Required): What is your motivation for pursuing the M.S. in Accounting Program, and how does the program fit into your short- and long-term goals? (500 words maximum) 

• Impact Essay (Required): Please tell us about a personal, academic, or professional experience that has influenced your decision to pursue graduate study at the McIntire School of Commerce and how it has influenced what you hope to achieve through your M.S. in Accounting education. (500 words maximum)  

• Optional Essay: This essay may be used to call attention to areas of your background or application needing clarification and to provide additional details to any aspects of your candidacy. (350 words maximum)

Test Requirements

GMAT/GRE

A GMAT or GRE score is not required for admission to the M.S. in Accounting program.

Applicants who choose not to submit a GMAT or GRE score will be evaluated based on the materials included in their application. In the absence of standardized test scores, greater emphasis will be placed on prior academic performance and demonstrated quantitative, analytical, and written communication skills.

Applicants who wish to submit a GMAT or GRE score should have official score reports sent to the McIntire School of Commerce using the following codes:

GMAT: KC7-K3-31
GRE: 5829

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have earned, or expect to earn, an undergraduate degree from a college or university outside the United States are required to submit official results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

McIntire currently accepts TOEFL scores reported on either the previous 0–120 iBT scale or the new 1–6 TOEFL scale. A minimum overall TOEFL score of 100 (previous iBT scale) or 5.5 (new TOEFL scale) is required for admission. Applicants submitting IELTS scores must earn a minimum overall band score of 7.5.

Applicants whose native language is not English but who have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, including at least two years of full-time study in residence in the United States, are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request additional evidence of English language proficiency, which may include completion of specific coursework or submission of TOEFL or IELTS test results.

Applicants submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores should have official score reports sent to the McIntire School of Commerce using the following information:

TOEFL
Institution Code: B626

IELTS
Electronic IELTS scores must be submitted directly by the IELTS test center to our Electronic Download account.

E-download account name: University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce
E-download account address: 140 Hospital Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Transcripts or Credential Evaluation

Academic transcripts and/or credential evaluations should be provided for all completed coursework along with proof of graduation from a bachelor’s degree program. If you are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program, you will need to provide your most recent transcript, and once your degree is conferred, an official copy of your final transcript including degree conferral.

Unofficial copies of transcripts from every college or university you have attended may be used to apply for admission. Please redact your SSN or National ID before uploading unofficial transcripts.

Applicants who completed a degree or coursework outside of the United States must submit a professional course-by-course credential evaluation of their official transcripts. Official credential evaluations are required for application review and must be performed by a professional credential evaluator, with the report sent directly from the evaluator to the McIntire School of Commerce either electronically or to one of the addresses below.

If you attended and graduated from a U.S institution or completed coursework outside of the United States as part of a study-abroad program, you do not need to provide the course-by-course credential evaluation.

Applicants who are admitted must arrange for their official/final transcript(s) to be sent to the McIntire Office of Graduate Marketing & Admissions. Official transcripts may be submitted electronically or by mail.

Official transcript(s) submitted electronically should be sent to mcintiregrad@virginia.edu

Official transcript(s) submitted via mail should be sent to either of the following addresses depending on the mail courier service selected:

Mailing Address  Office of Graduate Marketing & Admissions Breeden Commerce Grounds 111 Breeden Way P.O.  Box 400173 Charlottesville, VA 22903

Physical Address Office of Graduate Marketing & Admissions University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce 111 Breeden Way Charlottesville, VA 22903

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, and at least one recommender must be someone who has taught you in an academic environment and can attest to your academic capabilities. The most useful evaluations are from individuals who can speak to your strengths and areas for growth and development.

Once you have identified and selected your recommenders, you will be prompted to enter their names and contact information within the online application form. The online recommendation form will be sent directly to your recommenders to complete, and once received, will attach automatically to your application file and reflect to your Application Status page.

Application Fee

An $85 nonrefundable application fee will be submitted with your online application. Payment may be issued by credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa) or by e-check.

The McIntire School of Commerce offers application fee waivers based on several criteria, including:

• Active duty/veteran status
• Need-based eligibility
• Organization affiliation
  • AmeriCorps
  • Leadership Alliance
  • Mellon Mays Graduate Initiative
  • National College Advising Corps
  • National GEM Consortium
  • Peace Corps
  • Teach for America

Applicants who hold active-duty or veteran status will automatically be waived of the application fee requirement. In the case of organization affiliation, applicants will receive notice and confirmation of their eligibility prior to submitting their online application; please do not submit payment until we have reviewed and confirmed your application fee waiver request.

To be considered for a financial need-based fee waiver, please contact us at mcintiregrad@virginia.edu.