3.45 GPA at Non-Target - How likely is it that I break into IB out of school?

I'm a current student at a Boston non-target (Northeastern/BU), and have a 3.45 GPA. I have one summer internship at a small PE/VC shop, and will have had another 6 month internship when I'm applying. I'm also involved in a couple of finance clubs on campus. My first semester GPA was terrible (2.6), largely because of a family crisis that hit at the worst possible time. I understand my GPA would be a massive hurdle to me breaking into IB, but I was wondering how possible it would be to do so, if I was to nail technicals and networking?

 

This would be for SA positions. Are BB/EB spots out of the question? And what are your thoughts for FT recruiting? My GPA should be higher (3.6/3.7) by then. Appreciate any insight. 

 

Your GPA wouldn't be a limiting factor at that point. However the FT market is extremely competitive and is highly reliant on the market improving, with an LMM summer you will still struggle to get traction when other kids have MM returns competing against you for example. 

In terms of BB/EB for the summer this really depends on you as a candidate. If you are in a finance club with strong alumni who are willing to push you into the interview room it might be possible, otherwise it will be very very difficult. 

 

As others have said your GPA will not be a limiting factor. I went through recruiting last year at a non-target with around the same GPA (you should try to round up to a 3.5 if you can) and was able to get interviews no problem and landed at a BB. If you hammer out networking calls and are great at interviews nobody will even question it

 
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