The Right Timing Isn’t Always the Expected One

One Program, Multiple Paths

For Elaine, the path to the Master of Science in Accountancy at Notre Dame came with an important realization: there is more than one way to move successfully through the program.

Originally from the Cleveland area, Elaine graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Economics. Like many students, she initially planned to continue her education immediately after undergrad, enrolling in an MBA program at another institution. But after some reflection, she realized she wanted a path that would allow her to build a stronger technical accounting foundation while continuing to explore her long-term career interests.

That search led her back to Notre Dame.

“I had such a strong experience here as an undergrad, and the alumni network really stood out to me,” she said. “Especially in accounting, there are so many opportunities to connect.”

As she explored the MSA program through conversations with alumni and faculty, she learned about a timing option that would allow her to begin in Fall ‘25 and graduate in December ‘26, rather than following the more traditional May graduation timeline.

That flexibility immediately stood out.

“It made me realize there isn’t just one path or timeline,” Elaine said. “You can choose the structure that works best for your goals and still stay on track.”

Finding the Right Pace

For Elaine, the extended timeline created additional space to build confidence academically and professionally.

“My course progression was a little more spread out, which actually helped,” she said. “I had more time to really understand the material.”

Instead of feeling compressed into a faster pace, Elaine was able to focus more deeply on concepts as she progressed into graduate-level coursework.

“Having more time made a big difference,” she said. “I felt like I could really learn the concepts instead of just getting through them.”

That pacing also helped as classes became more rigorous.

“When I got into more difficult material, I felt a lot more prepared.”

Combined with faculty who bring industry experience into the classroom and coursework centered on real-world applications, the structure helped reinforce the practical side of accounting that first drew her to the program.

A Unique Recruiting Experience

The timeline also shaped how Elaine approached recruiting.

Because she is graduating in December ‘26, her initial recruiting focus centered on internship opportunities rather than immediately pursuing full-time roles.

“That extra time meant I could be more intentional about what I was looking for,” she said.

She found that having additional time allowed her to prepare more confidently for networking and recruiting events.

“I had more time to build my story, practice interviews, and focus on networking,” she said.

Even MSA-specific recruiting events like Meet the Firms felt more approachable with that structure.

“I had time to prepare and go into those conversations with a clear goal,” she said.

With support from the program through advising and recruiting preparation, Elaine secured an internship quickly and now plans to intern with Deloitte in Chicago in transfer pricing.

Flexibility to Explore

One of the aspects Elaine values most about the MSA is the ability to explore different paths before committing to one direction too early.

“The flexibility gave me the chance to take different classes and learn about both tax and audit before deciding,” she said. “I didn’t feel like I needed to pick a path right away.”

That flexibility became especially meaningful as she continued refining her interests.

“Since I wasn’t locked into a strict timeline, I had more room to adjust if I changed my mind,” she said. “It gave me a lot more control over my path.”

Building Community on a Different Timeline

Starting on a different graduation timeline also came with questions about what it would feel like socially.

“At first, it was a little intimidating because it felt like people already had their routines and friend groups,” Elaine said.

But those concerns quickly faded.

“It ended up being much more welcoming than I expected,” she said. “Academically, I felt supported, and socially it just took a little effort to put myself out there.”

Through classes, group projects, and day-to-day interactions, she quickly found her place within the Mendoza community.

Advice for Prospective Students

Looking back, Elaine sees the experience not as taking extra time, but as choosing the timeline that best supported her goals.

“I’m really glad I took this path,” she said. “It worked out better for me than I expected.”

For students considering the MSA, especially those unsure about timing or next steps, her advice is simple:

“There are still opportunities. You just have to be willing to reach out and take initiative.”

For Elaine, the additional semester created more than flexibility. It created space to learn intentionally, recruit thoughtfully, and build confidence in the direction she wants to pursue.

“It made my experience more intentional,” she said. “I had time to learn, prepare, and make decisions that fit my goals.”