Need Advice Regarding SA and Job Search

Hey Everyone,

I've been reading this forum for a while and really appreciate the wealth of information on here. I'm a junior at a target school for banking. I'm a triple major in electrical engineering, mathematics, and political science. I want to get into S&T, and have had great past experience (2 internships in trading after freshman, sophmore years, trading commodities and derivatives on the trading floor at large reputable Fortune 10 firms). Now that I am a rising junior, I am looking to get into S&T at a BB or MM bank, my goal is to have a FT offer at a BB. I have no trouble in accessing them as I go to a target and they are very active in recruiting here.

My main concern is my GPA. Frankly, my engineering and math is just not working out. I am making consistent B and Cs in them esp. now that the courseload is getting harder. This is actually the average for my school (2.7-2.8 gpa for engineering and 2.5 for math) but after reading here, I know I need at least a 3.3 GPA. My Political Science major on the other hand, I have a 4.0 GPA because it is just way too easy compared to my engineering courses.

EC wise I am quite set, I am in a sorority on the executive committee, as well as the president of an investment club. These two ECs, plus my heavy courseload, as well as working part time all contributes to a not so spectaular GPA.... Personally I am very interested in engineering and math, and I really enjoy the challenge. If it wasn't for a job, I would be happy making 2.7 and 2.8s as long as I am learning and improving in that aspect. However, I cannot NOT have a job after graduation as I have quite amount of debt, and in that regard I am becoming really stressed towards what to do.

My issue is two fold. One, I really love trading, and have traded since high school in my PA. I was planning on going into the prop trading route, but I have realized that I need more job security and after networking and learning more about trading at a bank, that's where I really want to be. I have solid connections at a few of the BBs (2) with senior bankers and they have forwarded my resume to the HR. In addition, because my school is a target I was able to get 2-3 interviews with OCR. So, in total I have 5 upcoming interviews, and I'm hoping I get get 2 more with networking.

QUESTION 1:
My problem is that I didn't put my cumulative gpa on my resume and only my major. I am quite sure they will grant me an interview however what will they do once they find out that my cumulative is a 2.9? That is what it is currently. I am positive this is below their cut off. I am quite sure that at some point they will ask for my transcript... Even though I have a hard major, great leadership, and am quite well rounded... I truly do believe 2.9 is inexcusable. Should I just cancel my first round interviews? I'm not sure what I am going to say if they ask for my transcript . This question is in regards to the BBS I have connections with as well as through OCR.

My current plan is just to go through with the first round interviews. If I even pass that, I drop the GPA bomb. Or, should I just wait until the second round? Or... just let them found out for themselves when they ask for transcripts (but I prefer to let them know ahead of time).

Secondly and QUESTION 2: I am wondering if GPA is the crucial factor should I just drop my engineering and math major and go for political science? Like I said, I have a 4.0 in poltiical science without putting in any effort. I am at the end of the rope regarding getting A's in engineering. This semester I have done every single problem in the book, hired a tutor etc, and still am getting only B and Cs. Next semester is not looking too great either as I have to take 2 upper level physics courses.

So - if my end goal is to get into a BB ST should I forgo my engineering/math major? The highest GPA I can even achieve if I drop my major would be 3.5 by end of senior year. I'm afraid if I continue my engineering and math major I may very well end up with