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What are the best ways to show colleges your interest in accounting?
I have wanted to be an account for around 5 years, I want to show my interest in accounting to colleges through extracurriculars, essays, and interviews. How can I achieve this?
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9 answers
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Ching’s Answer
I don't know why you need to do this or that to get into accounting. Maybe i am too out of sync with today's schools. But i just applied to continuing education and studied all the courses required to get into the professional program. After 4 years, i became a CPA.
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Lisa’s Answer
Hi Caroline,
It’s great to hear you are so focused on a specific area like Accounting. I wish you all the best with your college applications and endeavors.
Everyone has highlighted some great academic and non academic pathways that you can use to share your interest in this field.
Option 1: I also want you to consider the areas of accounting you can explore. For example, you can explore H&R Block or tax training and earn a certificate with Intuit for Quickbooks. You can also learn to do advance excel on your own and explain why you took the time to learn this system. Then, you could volunteer to do taxes for your family members or anyone, like the 1040EZ form or teach a class to your colleagues in High School on how to do their taxes in college. A lot of students have summer jobs, pay taxes, but never claimed a refund because they think taxes are just for their parents.
Regardless of what you decide to do, the big tip here is to explain the “why” or reasons for doing the things you are doing (I.e., academically, personally and socially).
Option 2: You can ask to shadow accountants within different industries or areas, such as private practice or major investment firms to see if you have an interest in a particular area. This will show colleges that you’ve done your homework and your invested in this field.
Also, please note that it’s okay to have and share other interests. It will tell the school that although you are focused, you are also open to learning and exploring (if this is true for you).
Option 3: You can pursue and earn a certificate in auditing or bookkeeping at a local community college or online and volunteer to do some auditing, inventory or bookkeeping work with family members or small businesses in your neighborhood.
Whatever you decide to do to stand out on your applications, please remember to tell a full story about who you are, your love and interest in the field in your essays & supplements, and why you are choosing that school to prepare you for the future. So do your research about that school and the opportunities they have available on and off campus.
For your essays & supplements, you can also speak to the areas within accounting that interest you and what you want to contribute to the world when you’re done studying. The school you choose will need to be aligned to what you say you want to do with your career because they will be preparing you to do it.
All the best
I hope this helps!
Lisa
It’s great to hear you are so focused on a specific area like Accounting. I wish you all the best with your college applications and endeavors.
Everyone has highlighted some great academic and non academic pathways that you can use to share your interest in this field.
Option 1: I also want you to consider the areas of accounting you can explore. For example, you can explore H&R Block or tax training and earn a certificate with Intuit for Quickbooks. You can also learn to do advance excel on your own and explain why you took the time to learn this system. Then, you could volunteer to do taxes for your family members or anyone, like the 1040EZ form or teach a class to your colleagues in High School on how to do their taxes in college. A lot of students have summer jobs, pay taxes, but never claimed a refund because they think taxes are just for their parents.
Regardless of what you decide to do, the big tip here is to explain the “why” or reasons for doing the things you are doing (I.e., academically, personally and socially).
Option 2: You can ask to shadow accountants within different industries or areas, such as private practice or major investment firms to see if you have an interest in a particular area. This will show colleges that you’ve done your homework and your invested in this field.
Also, please note that it’s okay to have and share other interests. It will tell the school that although you are focused, you are also open to learning and exploring (if this is true for you).
Option 3: You can pursue and earn a certificate in auditing or bookkeeping at a local community college or online and volunteer to do some auditing, inventory or bookkeeping work with family members or small businesses in your neighborhood.
Whatever you decide to do to stand out on your applications, please remember to tell a full story about who you are, your love and interest in the field in your essays & supplements, and why you are choosing that school to prepare you for the future. So do your research about that school and the opportunities they have available on and off campus.
For your essays & supplements, you can also speak to the areas within accounting that interest you and what you want to contribute to the world when you’re done studying. The school you choose will need to be aligned to what you say you want to do with your career because they will be preparing you to do it.
All the best
I hope this helps!
Lisa
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
Try joining a club or school activity that does fundraisers. Volunteer to keep the records of the funds raised and costs associated with the fundraisers (income statement). Then prepare your listing of assets and liabilities (balance sheet) each month.
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Hi Caroline,
Usually, you can demonstrate to colleges your interest in accounting by choosing it as your major when you apply. To further express your enthusiasm, consider participating in accounting clubs at your high school, seeking an accounting internship, and exploring other related opportunities.
Usually, you can demonstrate to colleges your interest in accounting by choosing it as your major when you apply. To further express your enthusiasm, consider participating in accounting clubs at your high school, seeking an accounting internship, and exploring other related opportunities.
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
Hey Caroline, it's fantastic to see you being proactive and considering this already! One activity I did in high school was joining a business program at my school. I took part in Virtual Enterprise, a year-long course where students managed a virtual company with different departments like CEO, Human Resources, Accounting, Marketing, and so on. I worked in the Accounting department, which gave me experience in managing a company and collaborating with other departments, just like in a real business. Additionally, there are business plan competitions and trade show events. This can be a great talking point for your essays and interviews, so try to find out if your school offers a similar program!
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Caroline!
A great way to show your interest in accounting is to find a local accounting firm and ask about any internship opportunities. This is a great way to also gain experience and develop relationships in the field.
A great way to show your interest in accounting is to find a local accounting firm and ask about any internship opportunities. This is a great way to also gain experience and develop relationships in the field.
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Caroline!
Accounting contains many skills, so you can show colleges your interested in the field in a couple of ways:
#1. - Take Pr-Calculus and Calculus: Many accounting degrees want students to understand calculus concepts. The high school courses can help you prepare early!
#2. - Speak in your Classes: Accounting courses may involve classroom discussions. It's good to know and feel comfortable sharing your ideas and questions with confidence.
#3. - Develop Critical Thinking Skills: College will ask you to think deeper about course content more than high school, so these skills are very crucial to know.
Take a look at the Harvard Business Review and Indeed's guides for developing critical thinking:
- Harvard Business Review | https://hbr.org/2019/05/3-simple-habits-to-improve-your-critical-thinking
- Indeed | https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/critical-thinking-skills
#4. - Take a financial literacy course. Some high schools have finances courses as electives.
If HS finance classes are not available at your school...
#4.5 - Watch an accounting course online!
Some YouTube channels released college accounting lectures for free!
Here are some courses you can listen to:
- Accounting Full Course - Provided by Johnson County Community College | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL301238C9BC6E0B83
- Accounting Class "Introduction" | https://youtu.be/LABe5Sb2jrs
- Full Financial Accounting Course in One Video (10 Hours) *don't worry, the video is broken up into sections/chapters for you :)* | https://youtu.be/v-djL7SPw4c
Outside of these tips, you can reach out to CPA's (Certified Public Accountants) in your area and ask them questions about their jobs.
Doing these things can help you with expressing your interests on a college admission essay or on other areas of the application process. Plus, you'll be ahead of most people!
Sending you the best as you learn more about accounting :)
Accounting contains many skills, so you can show colleges your interested in the field in a couple of ways:
#1. - Take Pr-Calculus and Calculus: Many accounting degrees want students to understand calculus concepts. The high school courses can help you prepare early!
#2. - Speak in your Classes: Accounting courses may involve classroom discussions. It's good to know and feel comfortable sharing your ideas and questions with confidence.
#3. - Develop Critical Thinking Skills: College will ask you to think deeper about course content more than high school, so these skills are very crucial to know.
Take a look at the Harvard Business Review and Indeed's guides for developing critical thinking:
- Harvard Business Review | https://hbr.org/2019/05/3-simple-habits-to-improve-your-critical-thinking
- Indeed | https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/critical-thinking-skills
#4. - Take a financial literacy course. Some high schools have finances courses as electives.
If HS finance classes are not available at your school...
#4.5 - Watch an accounting course online!
Some YouTube channels released college accounting lectures for free!
Here are some courses you can listen to:
- Accounting Full Course - Provided by Johnson County Community College | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL301238C9BC6E0B83
- Accounting Class "Introduction" | https://youtu.be/LABe5Sb2jrs
- Full Financial Accounting Course in One Video (10 Hours) *don't worry, the video is broken up into sections/chapters for you :)* | https://youtu.be/v-djL7SPw4c
Outside of these tips, you can reach out to CPA's (Certified Public Accountants) in your area and ask them questions about their jobs.
Doing these things can help you with expressing your interests on a college admission essay or on other areas of the application process. Plus, you'll be ahead of most people!
Sending you the best as you learn more about accounting :)
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
There are many ways to show your academic interests in accounting. You can do volunteer work, participate both in introductory and professional development courses related to accounting.
Taking private classes from a tutor is also a good option.
Taking private classes from a tutor is also a good option.
Updated
Linh’s Answer
Hi Caroline, this is a great question! During my high school years, I joined a business organization at my school where I had the opportunity to gain knowledge about how a business operates and got to visit different local businesses to learn more about their culture, dynamics, and the day-to-day work of different departments. This experience helped me determine that accounting is the area I wanted to pursue, and I included this in my college essay. I made sure my essay clearly expressed my aspiration for accounting by stating why I wanted to study it, what I was passionate about in this field, and my plans to achieve my goals. I believe this helped to me demonstrate my passion and objectives to the colleges I applied to. Additionally, you can always register for volunteer or part-time jobs as a high schooler, such as fundraising or being a cashier. These experiences will give you a better idea of what could be involved in the accounting area.