Anyone been admitted to a graduate program...

[ggnl]

I graduated with an undergraduate accounting degree in 2005, and have been working since then. I'm getting laid off soon so I wanted to take the opportunity to go back to school and complete a graduate degree.

The problem is I don't want to get another accounting or business related degree. I'm not exactly sure what program I want to apply to but it will probably be something mathematics or comp sci related.

I talked to the admissions office at the university I originally graduated from and they told me to apply directly to the graduate program, who would then tell me what undergraduate classes I would have to take to meet eligibility requirements. But it seems I would have a very slim chance of getting admitted to the graduate program because I very little academic experience in the fields I'm interested in.

So, has anyone gotten a graduate degree that was vastly different from your undergrad degree? How did you do it?

Cliffs:

1. Got an accounting degree in 2005
2. Getting laid off soon
3. Want to go to grad school, but not for accounting
4. Don't know how to apply

 

[BeauJangles]

I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I've found that calling the admissions departments of the universities you're interested in is highly useful. Usually there are people who can help determine what pre-reqs (if any) are needed, they can help you contact professors and others in the program.

 

[sjwaste]

I did law. No real prereqs, but I have a fairly non-traditional law background (business and economics).

FWIW, I've found it to be fairly easy if you just put in the time. Law can very much be considered a common sense degree in the same way economics is -- some get it, some don't.

I take you work for a Big 4 now and anticipate getting canned after busy season? What firm, if you don't mind me asking (or don't respond if you do!)?

EDIT: I did my law degree at night, though, to hedge my bet. Turned out to be a good idea, given the state of the market. I'd suggest doing the same if at all possible. Find a career-track day job and go to school at night, and make the career change when the timing is good.

 

[imported_Imp]

Depends more on what you've been doing for the last 4 years at work probably.

Chances are you can go Law or some administration program (e.g. health admin, I've been looking at it).

Figure out what you want to do, and look up the school's application/ entrance requirements.

 

[Gibson486]

Accounting is supposed to be one of those higher business degrees....this means that you can take anything else in the realm of business whether it be marketing, finance, or management. For something outside of business....never seen a person do it besides go into law.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Accounting is supposed to be one of those higher business degrees....this means that you can take anything else in the realm of business whether it be marketing, finance, or management. For something outside of business....never seen a person do it.

I have. My friend has a BBA in Finance. Hated her career. Decided to go back for a masters in marine biology.

The school admitted her, but she had to take a bunch of undergrad credits to get the prereqs. Added up to about a year of coursework, pretty significant, but they'll let you do it.

For instance, if you wanted to make a complete change and go towards medicine, there are also post-bacc certificate programs designed to fill the prereqs so that you can apply. The AAMC has a list of schools that do it if you're interested in that. Some will roll grades directly into their med school admissions too.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Accounting is supposed to be one of those higher business degrees....this means that you can take anything else in the realm of business whether it be marketing, finance, or management. For something outside of business....never seen a person do it.

I have. My friend has a BBA in Finance. Hated her career. Decided to go back for a masters in marine biology.

The school admitted her, but she had to take a bunch of undergrad credits to get the prereqs. Added up to about a year of coursework, pretty significant, but they'll let you do it.

For instance, if you wanted to make a complete change and go towards medicine, there are also post-bacc certificate programs designed to fill the prereqs so that you can apply. The AAMC has a list of schools that do it if you're interested in that. Some will roll grades directly into their med school admissions too.

sounds right. I do not see a reason why you can't advance your self just because you do not have the right preq. As long as you have the will to go through it, it should be fine.

 

[Lonyo]

Might make it easier if you say what you are thinking of applying for.
Something computer related would be different to something like chemistry which would be different to something like English.

 

[ggnl]

I work in the internal audit department of a major retailer. I basically run any information security related audit programs that we undertake. These are sometimes large projects with budgets in excess $500,000, and I'm responsible for almost all PM duties.

I guess the stuff that the office of admission told me pretty much matches what I'm being told here. I was just a little freaked out about the prospects of being rejected and not having other options.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Might make it easier if you say what you are thinking of applying for.
Something computer related would be different to something like chemistry which would be different to something like English.

Lets say either mathematics or comp sci. I have some IT background from my job, but virtually nothing in mathematics.

 

[LordMorpheus]

it's somewhat common for engineers to switch disciplines between degrees.

Some of the fields don't really fit neatly into the classic disciplines. For instance, if you are doing controls and robotics you might wind up with degrees in electrical, mechanical, and/or computer science.

If you're talking about a radical change in focus (sounds like you might be) than I don't know. Talk to professors at the schools you want to go to, they'll be able to let you know.

 

[blinky8225]

A lot of math majors end up with graduate degrees in economics, computer science, or physics. One example that I can think of off hand is Dambisa Moyo. She's an economist that majored in Chemistry.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Yep, I have a BS in Computer Science Engineering and an MBA. All it should mean, assuming that you meet all entrance requirements and are accepted, is that you may have more 'deficiencies' in terms of prerequisite classes that you need to complete before you start taking core classes in your graduate program. My first semester back, I took 18 hours of undergrad classes in the Business college and knocked those out. I imagine you would be looking at a somewhat similar scenario.

 

[zinfamous]

Go to Law School. as long as you can read and know how to research efficiently....

 

[mcmilljb]

I have a degree in Computer Engineering, and I'm slowly going back to do Medical Technology. They said they would take me in the program if I made good grades, just sucks that you can only enter the program in the fall.

I'm doing fine in the biology and chemistry. I just laugh at all the kids that don't care enough about their grades to try for an A or B. I'm like shit, I want some free money lol.

 

[Whisper]

I have a friend earning his doctorate in mathematics (graph theory, IIRC), so I could ask him if you really want to know anything specifically related to that area.

From my own experiences in clinical psychology, I can attest to the fact that direct experience in the field (especially research experience) is VERY helpful...to the extent that I would say it's mandatory. Essentially, the school not only wants some assurance that you're dedicated enough to do field-related work, but that you know enough about said field to stick around in the program for the 4-8 years it'll take you to graduate. They're investing a lot of time and money in you, and they'd like a return on said investment someday.

 

[Passions]

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
I have a degree in Computer Engineering, and I'm slowly going back to do Medical Technology. They said they would take me in the program if I made good grades, just sucks that you can only enter the program in the fall.

I'm doing fine in the biology and chemistry. I just laugh at all the kids that don't care enough about their grades to try for an A or B. I'm like shit, I want some free money lol.

What's Medical Technology? Any links? sounds interesting career field.

 

[Rachael]

My undergrad major isn't quite what you would call vastly different, but I may still have a bit of advice for you. I was admitted to an interdisciplinary M.S. Education program with a lot of psychological focus, with psychology and East Asian studies as double majors in undergrad. Of course the most important thing is that you have all of the prerequisites for the program that you're applying for. Make sure to figure out if you have those first, and if you don't have them, do what needs to be done to complete them. I also found the essay or personal statement section helpful to further justify my case. For me the psychology connection was obvious, the East Asian studies less so. However, I was still able to present the ways in which my experience is applicable. For instance, the program I applied to has an urban and multicultural focus, so I stressed that I have experience in another language and in studies of a culture other than my own. My senior thesis was also in my East Asian studies major, and had nothing to do with psychology or education, but I still was sure to make note of that the research, writing, and time management skills I developed during that process- skills that would certainly be useful in my graduate studies. A lot of people are applying to graduate schools, and if you can find a way to have your non-traditional background make you stand out from the crowd, it can become a benefit. Good luck!

 

[ivan2]

has CS, done MS in that, wanted MBA now and know many that's done that. Also know a few went into Math and statistics grad as CS undergrad. As long as you complete the pre-reqs degree doesn't really matter.

 

[Casawi]

I did my undergrad in Engineering and I am in Grad school fir computer science right. I was conditionally accepted, meaning I needed to complete a math and CS course before I am consider admitted graduate student. When I was finishing up undergrad in electrical engineering, I was looking into biomed. I was told that I would have to spend the first semester playing catch up ... and did not want to do that on my own dime.
I would say it is a little bit difficult to get in if you background is different.

 

[dbk]

I had a friend who got bs in comp sci and then completed a mba.

I did finance/econ and got masters in acct so not that much different, I guess.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I have a BS in Electrical Engineering. I am currently trying to apply for a Masters in Accounting CPA route.

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: Passions

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
I have a degree in Computer Engineering, and I'm slowly going back to do Medical Technology. They said they would take me in the program if I made good grades, just sucks that you can only enter the program in the fall.

I'm doing fine in the biology and chemistry. I just laugh at all the kids that don't care enough about their grades to try for an A or B. I'm like shit, I want some free money lol.

What's Medical Technology? Any links? sounds interesting career field.

You can get a good overview from the wikipedia entry on it - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_technologist

Also check out American Society for Clinical Pathology's website - http://www.ascp.org/

Basically it's the people that do most of the lab work at a hospital and other labs where human fluids (and some other stuff depending on training) are analyzed. I think it's interesting. Plus there is nice job security. There is a severe shortage of these people because you can't be certified without experience or doing an accredited program (you get experience this way too).

You can get a MLT faster, but they are limited in duties due to the fact they don't have the background a MT has from doing 2 more years of more intense science courses plus the MT programs themselves go much deeper. You can go from a MLT to a MT by getting 2 years of experience, but you have to pass the MT exam which you can't do by just working. It would require some studying.

It's also a good way to get into Med School. If you do a 3+1 program, you get your bachelors degree in 4 years with all the prereq for med school PLUS you have a year of clinical experience. Imagine having a doctor recommend you to the med school because you really know some clinical stuff.

 

[Semidevil]

math major. will be going to mba in fall of 2009.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
Go to Law School. as long as you can reason and know how to research efficiently....

Fixed.