Graduating with Latin honors?
I'm nearing graduation and have made little progress on my honors thesis to the point where I am strongly considering not doing it. If I complete it and it's good enough, then I would graduate "summa cum laude". If I don't, then I would graduate with "high distinction", which actually has a higher GPA cutoff.
I don't really care about the learning experience at this point and am worried about the stress. I'm also worried that I'll put in a bunch of work and end up not finishing it anyway. The only merit is that I go to a decent flagship state school but not Michigan or UVA, so it would be nice to have the signal. I'll be at an EB so I'm not too sure if the signal is important or if the latin is much more impressive than distinction. Anyone have any thoughts? Did you find an uninteresting honors thesis worth it for the title?
I appreciate the advice!
no one cares
The importance of an honors designation? (Originally Posted: 09/25/2017)
My GPA is 4.48/5 (European school, equivalent to 3.7 in the US) and my school gives out High Distinction (equivalent to Summa Cum Laude) to people with GPA of 4.5 (3.75+ in the US) and higher. People with GPA 4.49 and below won't receive anything.
I'm thinking about doing an extra semester just to redo 1 course... Am I overthinking? Should I just get my degree and be done with it?
I mean, looking forward 3-5 years, leaving GPA on the resume seems ridiculous, while writing "Graduated with High Distinction" looks fine.
i guess it depends on what you want to do?? but i think you're way overthinking it- i highly doubt anyone will care what distinction you graduated with after you have 3-5 years of experiences...
Bump
Overthinking it. Although that designation is nice to have, networking is more important. That is where you should spend more of your time.
What year are you? Is this your senior year - getting a 5.0 this year isn't good enough?
Is an honors degree worth the trouble? (Originally Posted: 02/26/2016)
Hello everyone,
I go to IUB and am applying for the Kelley School of Business this semester. I was just curious if the honors program is worth the challenge? Does graduating with honors give you any real benefit in the corporate world besides an additional few words on your degree?
Basically, is it worth potentially having a slightly lower GPA to graduate with honors?
Thank you all in advance!
I went to a non-target public school (Honors) for undergrad. FWIW, I didn't even mention the Honors program in my resume.
Do I write an honor's thesis? (Originally Posted: 01/12/2010)
Alright so it's crunch time.
I am a senior who locked up a job at MBB and I have to decide today whether or not to write an honor's thesis.
I really don't want to have that stress, so what I want to know is would it materially affect my business school applications to have written one?
Keep in mind that my GPA is on the low end at a 3.6.
It helps but won't push you over the top. You have a good enough GPA for top 5...would get the 700+ on GMAT; and do well at your consulting gig and try to do some ops or PE afterward (do bschool 4-5 years post grad)...
Don't do it--I tried this and was miserable. It won't help at all, my opinion.
Why do you think it would affect your chances for b-school?
My thinking is that writing an honor's thesis shows more ambition, ability to work independently, take on a challenge, etc.
Bump. Same Q..
only if you wanna enter the academia (PhD or research-based MS programs)
Otherwise I'm 100% sure it doesn't matter at all for b-school. Plus, by the time you apply for MBA, you'd have plenty of work experience to talk about that shows ambition, independence and taking a challenge. Why waste your time? Go and have a blast on your last semester
Completing Honors Program/Writing Capstone Research Paper For Admissions (Originally Posted: 02/24/2015)
I'm currently a senior and know that I will be applying to MBA programs after working for a few years. I'd love to hear from some WSO users who have more knowledge pertaining to admissions about how being a graduate of an honors program affects an application, as well as how writing a 60 page research paper as an honors capstone affects an application. At this point, I'm not sure if that's where I want to allocate my time and welcome all viewpoints. Thanks in advance!
sorry for the bump but would really like to hear from someone who knows more than I do about this
sorry, double post
Graduating with no honors but high GPA (Originally Posted: 05/31/2016)
So I'm graduating with a high GPA in both my major and overall (3.8+), but it looks like I won't be receiving any Latin awards (cum laude, honors, etc.) upon graduating . Will future employers look down on this/become suspicious? I'm graduating from an Ivy League school btw.
Why wouldn't you get any of those honors? Did you transfer?
Damn, is grade inflation at the Ivies really that nuts?
Don't think you have anything to worry about, though OP.
From my understanding, you only get honors if you do a thesis - which who cares? i highly doubt someone will ask you about that.
Honors is only granted if you did a thesis which I didn't because I wanted to enjoy my senior year lol. So I didn't get that.
And no I'm not a transfer.
Oh, I see now.
Still doubt anyone will care. My thesis has only ever helped me by giving me one more thing to talk about in an interview.
Anyone else have an opinion?
Won't really matter at all. To be honest, I probably would've assumed that you didn't bother to put it on rather than you didn't receive one.
CFA Question - Graduating Summa Cum Laude (Originally Posted: 05/02/2012)
Hey,
Graduating Summa Cum Laude Math & Finance in May.
Is the CFA 1 (I'll take in december) worth my time and money?
Thanks, B
Depends on what you want to do.....equity/fixed income research or PM related yes.....S&T or IBD no
What ovechkin08 said. I took and passed Level 1 the first year after college(if you have a math and finance background it should not be too hard), but gave it up when I realized I did not want be a PM or in ER.
Cool, thanks for the input.
Hrrmmmm ask our CFA expert (below is his old name).
ToiletPaper aka Tony Perkis,Certified Fellatio Artist
Benjamin,
What do you want to do?
Ovechkin, I will disagree with you a bit. If the role is some kind of capital management (bank, insurance company, etc), or heavy FP&A, the CFA does help a lot. It's not just for PM or ER.
At least this has been my first-hand experience.
(Disclaimer: I passed all three exams, and application for the Charter is pending).
People get their analysis of the CFA very wrong. Kids who have never done it (but have read M&I WSO a bit) say it's useless for IBD etc... only good for AM. They ALWAYS fail to look at the alternatives, read the curriculum and will no doubt cite the "you should spend the time networking" line. That is bullshit, who is networking at 10pm? If you have the time (most do) there is no reason not to pursue it. You will learn something new, your knowledge of finance will improve - these are only good things. However, if you have the opportunity to gain real world experience (internship) or rebrand through a MFin take those options.
^^^^ +1000!!
I can't believe that I get Monkey Shit for this thread. To be fair, I am taking CFA Level 2 for my current job as Equity Research Associate covering Technology. I previously did IBD in Healthcare and Technology. I went to non-target schools (both undergraduate and graduate) without a stellar GPA. To prospective Monkeys, I want you to give you an honest answer so that you don't waste your time doing stupid things. I have been there and done that. This is my personal opinion and only for IBD and ER.
IBD. You don't need CFA. In fact every bankers that I talked to absolutely hate it. You want to nail an IBD interview, you need to do the following things: 1) Research about the group extensively, 2) Know exactly how to answer questions at informational, instead of saying hey I saw that DB did a deal for XYZ company on XYZ date. Be able to talk more specifically, why the deal was being done, how the deal was structured, and why the buyer is willing to pay at such premium. 3) Based on that group history, what are other potential deals that you think could happen, based on market dynamics. (and you know this because you studied about the market, talked to other people in the industry). 4) Actually bring a pitchbook that you have worked on. It can be a) Industry Discussion Material or b) Snapshot of the recent transaction. Look up on M&I on various kind of pitchbook. Doing all these will make it more likely to get hired than CFA. Been there. Done that.
ER. You can argue that CFA can helps in ER but not as much you think. When someone told me they are studying for CFA, all I can think of is, this poor kid spends a lot of time studying. To do ER job well, I want to see work samples. I want to know that you can apply directly what you have learned. I want to know that you can do the job well. I want to know that you can update, build models without me telling you how to do it. I want to know that you can follow the industry metrics, you know the industry growth drivers. You have some sense of valuation methods. And the only way for me to possibly assess you on this is by submitting a short summary of why I should buy or sell a stock. Of course having a full initiation report with models will definitely help. So when I list out all these steps, did I ever mention CFA? No.
The fallacy of studying CFA: pushing off networking because you are shy and you don't want to deal with people. I was one too. I used to push off networking like actually getting to know the Research Analyst (ER) and Banker (IBD). I have seen a lot of BO/MO and IT guys studying CFA, thinking that it will get them the front office jobs. It doesn't because application > learning. Networking > CFA. The reason is as followed:
When someone from IT tells me they are taking the CFA
Because talking to these guys (who are actually working in these roles) for 1 hour, you can learn so much more than reading on tons of books. They tell you exactly how the stock is being traded (ER) or why some deals don't fall through (IBD). You are not going to get the same depth of knowledge by studying CFA. Most importantly, you need to put a face on the resume. You need to know who the staffer is (IBD), how big the group is or how the team operates. Why? This will make it easier for you when you want to get a job there. Instead of going through HR, you can talk to staffer or business manager directly.
CFA is only relevant when you want to move up in the ER, Asset Management, Investment Management role. It is just a resume padder. The problem with CFA is it is a mile wide and an inch deep. There is no way that you can possible learn about structuring deals (IBD) or covering a sector (ER) by doing CFA.
So I rest my case. This is based on my personal experience while looking for a full time job. I actually talked to/cold called/ networked with over 600 people on Wall Street prior to getting my current position.
Picture Source: http://wheninfinance.tumblr.com/post/22291307647/when-someone-from-it-t…
And a generally very well put post. It's often hard to garner the reasoning behind the structure of transactions (personally my favourite part of finance, the why not the what) from the press, and so talking to those who executed it is incredibly worthwhile.
Advice Needed - Graduated in 2010 with a 1st Class Honors (Originally Posted: 12/21/2013)
Hello Everyone,
I am asking for some opinions please.
I graduated in 2010 with a 1st Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering but not at a top target university. I have been working in engineering for 3 years and hate it! I want to become a sales trader or physical commodities trader but have had no luck whatsoever in getting interviews.
(I have experience trading my own money since 2009 and have a profitable account.)
I applied for every investment bank going and also many commodities houses but didn't get an interview at most bar one. I got through to the final round with this firm but unfortunately didn't get the job.
I feel that I have not been getting any interviews simply because I didn't go to Oxbridge. I am now considering going back to uni to do an msc in economics at a top university. Is this a good idea? It is going to cost me ALL of my savings. Is there anything else I can do instead to get in?
Opinions please guys!
Bump
Do you have any other options instead of hard core economics? If you aspire a career in trading, MSc. Financial Economics with a specialization in financial analysis would be better. Or maybe even MSc. Finance :-)
Another thing that might help; the CFA level 1 exam. If you can combine this with a relevant master degree then you're getting much closer to your goal :)
Yes sorry, the main course I am looking at is an MSc in Financial Economics at Oxford, although the fees are huge!
Personally, I would rather not do a masters but can't think of any other way to break into the industry at the moment.
Consequuntur voluptas voluptates quod odit ut. Aspernatur facere et inventore tempora molestiae et unde doloribus. Ut quibusdam maxime consequuntur iste eligendi vel.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Veniam rerum dolorem beatae id. Qui error ut et et et sit a. Nostrum occaecati explicabo eum neque sint.
Officiis omnis quaerat accusantium aut. Nesciunt rerum nisi totam fuga sed est.
Quisquam occaecati quas temporibus. Blanditiis harum quidem aut veniam ea ducimus esse. Unde quia consectetur ex enim vero. Molestiae ex atque dolorem dolorum.
Quas sed eos consectetur. Est quam voluptate fugit est eaque. Sed ut ut quae eaque vel nesciunt sed praesentium. In qui odio reiciendis molestiae. Ullam inventore harum et dolore blanditiis minima.
Architecto sapiente repudiandae praesentium rerum et sequi autem. Et eos consectetur et quaerat assumenda odio. Sint odio exercitationem expedita rerum ea.
Placeat quis minima ipsa doloribus. Et rem et voluptas dolor. Amet nesciunt voluptatem quasi illo sapiente recusandae expedita. Voluptatibus quae aut et qui sunt libero. Sint placeat et eius ab voluptatem. Dolore dignissimos voluptatem officiis sed.
Est tenetur aut dicta porro ullam et. Nihil possimus rerum impedit rem. Quae nihil earum ut maiores tenetur. Et est vel non.