In contrast to many students who join the MAcc program, Lexy Tays knew from the time she was in high school—she took her first accounting courses as a junior—that she wanted to become a public accountant, so she made accounting her major in college.

While she believed she received an excellent undergraduate education, she says, “I was ready to get a new perspective on accounting from a different institution like Vanderbilt. I also wanted to take courses similar to MBA courses, so I would be more prepared for the future management roles I will have later in my career. I wanted to be challenged to think differently.”

Living in a different place was another matter. After moving from her native Kentucky to pursue her undergraduate degree at Belmont—just a few blocks away from the Vanderbilt campus—she concluded that she had found a home. “I really desired to stay in an area where I could see myself working long term,” she says. “I had been in Nashville for a few years with undergrad, and I could really see myself staying here. When I got into Vanderbilt [with a scholarship], it was a dream come true because I did not have to leave my beloved town of Nashville.”

The faculty and staff, she says, “are unequivocally devoted to giving us everything we need to succeed in our future careers. I cannot sing Vandy’s praises loudly enough.” But she is quick to add that the “absolutely best highlight” of her experience has been the willingness of members of her class “to get to know each other in alternative ways” amid the restrictions created by COVID-19. “Whether it is social distancing in a park or having fun get-togethers over Zoom, we have the best time when we are together. In most classes, we have a group project, and most of my groups have involved different people. I have loved getting to know these amazing individuals and learning through them. I truly believe that the people I’ve met will be some amazing friends I’ll have for life.”

Fun Fact: Lexy, who says she grew up on country music and “loved to sing all the old classics,” has been performing on stage since she was 12—even winning an international competition.

I wanted to take courses similar to MBA courses, so I would be more prepared for the future management roles I will have later in my career.