Why I Chose UC Davis MPAc Before Starting My Big Four Career

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After receiving a full-time offer from KPMG for fall 2025, my goal of becoming a CPA felt more real than ever. I was interning at KPMG at the time and my associates repeated the same advice throughout my internship: get your CPA done early because working full-time while studying is incredibly difficult. 

That guidance stuck with me, and it ultimately pushed me to defer my offer for a year and enroll in the UC Davis Master of Professional Accountancy program so I could fully prepare for the exam.

Throughout my time at UC Davis as an undergrad, I attended several presentations about the MPAc program and the advantages of the program. By my senior year, applying felt like one of the easiest decisions I could make. I graduated with a B.S. in managerial economics and a minor in accounting.

Choosing a STEM-Designated Accounting Program

One of the main reasons I chose MPAc was to give myself dedicated time to study for the CPA exam while also completing the units required for licensure eligibility.

Before classes even started, the program sets up students for success through two major events: Career Builder Bootcamp and Orientation. 

At Career Builder Bootcamp, we worked on our resumes and cover letters, practiced elevator pitches, participated in Q&A panels with alumni and faculty and ended with a Meet the Firms event attended by more than 40 firms, including Big Four accounting firms and boutique companies. It was an incredible way to build confidence and make meaningful connections right from the start.

Orientation continued that momentum with a financial accounting review, additional panels featuring professionals from various accounting firms and more time to get to know one another. By the time the school year officially began at UC Davis, I already felt supported and encouraged by the faculty, staff and my classmates in our cohort of about 50 students.

CPA Exam Preparation Built into the MPAc Curriculum

The MPAc curriculum has been incredibly effective in preparing me for the CPA exam. Our classes are intentionally aligned with exam content, and the professors bring extensive expertise from their fields. Three things have made the biggest difference for me:

• Regular use of CPA-style platforms and test-prep tools that mirror the structure and difficulty of real exam questions.
• An accelerated, lock-step format with four four-unit classes each quarter.
• Four-hour, in-person class sessions that allow us to dive deeper into material and work through challenging problems without feeling rushed.

When I first saw the schedule, it felt intimidating. But once I adjusted, I realized how beneficial the longer classes are for mastering complex topics and engaging in meaningful discussions.

This winter, I’ll begin studying for my first CPA exam, starting with the Regulations (REG) section. KPMG provides Becker as my study platform, and I plan to begin studying about eight weeks before test day. 

We took our first taxation course this fall and will take two more later in the program. Studying tax concepts in class while preparing for REG will reinforce what we learn and give me more confidence going into the exam.

Building a Strong Professional Network 

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One of my favorite parts of the UC Davis MPAc program is our cohort. We have about 50 students, and the friendships and connections we've built have been incredible. 

In class, we collaborate constantly, working through complex accounting problems together, sharing ideas and helping each other learn. That teamwork has shown me how important collaboration is for creating a positive and successful work environment in public accounting, industry or government agencies.

Outside the classroom, the community is just as strong. Coming from large undergraduate classes, I wasn't expecting to feel this connected. We work as a team in and out of class, and we've also found plenty of time to have fun together. 

This quarter alone, we formed intramural soccer, basketball and dodgeball teams. Our most recent gathering was a Friendsgiving at Ruhstaller Farm in Dixon, where we all brought dishes and spent time together. I've never been part of such a welcoming, supportive and genuinely kind group of people.

Looking back, choosing the UC Davis MPAc program has already had a huge impact on my CPA journey and my personal growth. The curriculum, faculty support, professional preparation and close-knit community have given me the foundation I need to approach the CPA exam with confidence—and I'm incredibly grateful to be part of this program.

UC Davis MPAc Student Life Snapshots

Click on the photos to learn more.

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Mia Hildebrand (third from left) and other MPAc students pose for a group photo after an intramural volleyball game at the ARC, wrapping up another night of friendly competition.

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Mia Hildebrand (second from left) and other UC Davis MPAc students gather on a foggy evening after an intramural soccer match, celebrating another game together on the Rec Sports fields.