Commerce at UoM vs Commerce/Law at Monash

[thetimeis]

Hey guys, I need help with this one..And im very new to University stuff.

1. For the commerce degree at UoM, does majoring in Accounting allow you to practise accounting after you finish the degree?
2. Does doing the Juris Doctor have any additional requirements besides finishing an undergrad degree (I am planning to complete a major in accounting through commerce and do JD after, it only takes 1 more year than Monash com/law.)
3. For anyone doing the UoM degree, does the major in accounting almost guarantee you a position as one of the big four accounting firms?
4. Is it better to study both accounting and then law, or should I just pick one?

And overall, which is the best choice if I am leaning heavily towards doing accounting?

[sluu001]

First let me reiterate - going to melb or monash DOES NOT in any way give you an advantage over students from other universities. A graduate from deakin who has higher marks than a grad from melb/monah will be more likely to be offered interview - grades matter MUCH more.

Dont fall into the trap o thinking getting into melb means a guaranteed grad job, you will be heavily disappointed if you do. Commerce is an enormously competive market in terms of grad supplies and if you only coast through your degree - your job application for the big4 will head to the bottom of the file.

Dont get it into your head a commerce degree at melb/monash is superior to other unis - they arent (especially in a standardised major like accounting where most unis have their accounting degree certified by the various accouning associations).

As for your other questions - yes melb's accounting major is accredited by cpa/ca etc. (ie. you can become an accountant).

The Jd is an extremely competiive course to get into - they take your average/lsat score (law school test) and written statement to determine your eligibility.

My advice is not to do law unless you do enjoy it - the course is not hard conceptually but has an enormous amount of reading. I always advise students to do a couple of law subjects as electives first to get a taste of law - plus as an accounting student you are required to do 3 law subjects anyway.

In conclusion, dont get Caught up in the name of the uni - marks matter.

[thetimeis]

First let me reiterate - going to melb or monash DOES NOT in any way give you an advantage over students from other universities. A graduate from deakin who has higher marks than a grad from melb/monah will be more likely to be offered interview - grades matter MUCH more.

Dont fall into the trap o thinking getting into melb means a guaranteed grad job, you will be heavily disappointed if you do. Commerce is an enormously competive market in terms of grad supplies and if you only coast through your degree - your job application for the big4 will head to the bottom of the file.

Dont get it into your head a commerce degree at melb/monash is superior to other unis - they arent (especially in a standardised major like accounting where most unis have their accounting degree certified by the various accouning associations).

As for your other questions - yes melb's accounting major is accredited by cpa/ca etc. (ie. you can become an accountant).

The Jd is an extremely competiive course to get into - they take your average/lsat score (law school test) and written statement to determine your eligibility.

My advice is not to do law unless you do enjoy it - the course is not hard conceptually but has an enormous amount of reading. I always advise students to do a couple of law subjects as electives first to get a taste of law - plus as an accounting student you are required to do 3 law subjects anyway.

In conclusion, dont get Caught up in the name of the uni - marks matter.

Thanks, that was really helpful. Is there any way in doing this degree at UoM (this university is more for convenience than anything, alongside Monash, for me personally) that I can major in accounting and do some other finance-related subject, that will allow me to have the option of practise this upon graduating? I.e: Having the option to go into accounting OR investment banking after the degree's completion?

[sluu001]

Do a double major in accounting/finance - however be warned that a job in an ib firm/big4 firm will require top marks. And you will be competing against some of the best and brightest in aus.

Also, i also advise you to take up extra curricular activities ( ie. pt job as a book keeper or active member of student associations) - big 4s/ibs use this as one of the selection criterias to seperate candidates. (plus pwc primarily recruit from students who do do their summer internship programs).