Do I have a chance at BB - Double majoring in IS and Finance

I go to a lower ranked state public school. I messed up two semesters which lowered my GPA quite significantly. I can realistically graduate around a 3.75. I am double majoring in Management Information Systems and Finance. If I work at an branch office for a smaller firm for my Jr and Sr year as well as an internship somewhere else during the summer before my Sr year, what are my odds at a BB firm for an investment banking analyst? I realize GS is not a question since I am not Ivy league nor Jewish, but what about the other larger firms such as Merill Lynch? Thanks in advance.

11 Comments
 

This will have a lot to do with your attitude... race, religion and pedigree will not be a hindrance if you continue to push. Your grades will be competitive, youll need to A) land interviews and B) click with interviewers. Good luck.

PLEASE DONT CHANGE EXCEL SHORTCUTS!!!
 

How exactly do you land interviews these days? There are a few banks that will recruit at my school but for the most part that ones I would prefer do not. These days all the banks require you to simply submit your resume on their websites. Is there something you can do or someone you can typically call to follow up after you submit your resume or is it more just hoping to get a call? It seems like it makes it much harder to land that interview now.

 

You need to wait until the next round... and I'd be careful with bigotry - the industry is all about diversity.

PLEASE DONT CHANGE EXCEL SHORTCUTS!!!
 
Best Response
obxnc517I go to a lower ranked state public school. I messed up two semesters which lowered my GPA quite significantly. I can realistically graduate around a 3.75. I am double majoring in Management Information Systems and Finance. If I work at an branch office for a smaller firm for my Jr and Sr year as well as an internship somewhere else during the summer before my Sr year, what are my odds at a BB firm for an investment banking analyst? I realize GS is not a question since I am not Ivy league nor Jewish, but what about the other larger firms such as Merill Lynch? Thanks in advance.

First, I come from a non-targeted school, and landed an internship this summer with a BB, so yes it is possible. Second, GS is in fact an incredible firm but entry into any of the top banks is just as difficult. Third, suggestions, non-ivy is difficult b/c there is not org. recruiting efforts, so your only way into these banks for even an interview is NETWORK. Reach out to neighbors, friends, family and most importantly alumni network. Also the majority of these banks if you contact them will allow you to come in for an informational interview and if you click with someone your gold. Fourth, grades are real important but anyone who has a shot at these jobs have solid grades differentiate your self. Fifth, My credentials :( So you can get an idea of things that helped me, not a means to boast) good grades, extra curricular activities (started an investment group), leadership positions, took an additional crash course in excel to sharpen skills and solid internship sophomore year. The kids that you’ll be competing with come from incredible academic back rounds and are extremely intelligent. I became very close with faculty of my business school and they helped me plug away into an alumni network until I was finally given a shot to interview and I knocked it down. Don’t give up be persistent and GOOD LUCK!

 
Banker2B
obxnc517I go to a lower ranked state public school. I messed up two semesters which lowered my GPA quite significantly. I can realistically graduate around a 3.75. I am double majoring in Management Information Systems and Finance. If I work at an branch office for a smaller firm for my Jr and Sr year as well as an internship somewhere else during the summer before my Sr year, what are my odds at a BB firm for an investment banking analyst? I realize GS is not a question since I am not Ivy league nor Jewish, but what about the other larger firms such as Merill Lynch? Thanks in advance.

First, I come from a non-targeted school, and landed an internship this summer with a BB, so yes it is possible. Second, GS is in fact an incredible firm but entry into any of the top banks is just as difficult. Third, suggestions, non-ivy is difficult b/c there is not org. recruiting efforts, so your only way into these banks for even an interview is NETWORK. Reach out to neighbors, friends, family and most importantly alumni network. Also the majority of these banks if you contact them will allow you to come in for an informational interview and if you click with someone your gold. Fourth, grades are real important but anyone who has a shot at these jobs have solid grades differentiate your self. Fifth, My credentials :( So you can get an idea of things that helped me, not a means to boast) good grades, extra curricular activities (started an investment group), leadership positions, took an additional crash course in excel to sharpen skills and solid internship sophomore year. The kids that you’ll be competing with come from incredible academic back rounds and are extremely intelligent. I became very close with faculty of my business school and they helped me plug away into an alumni network until I was finally given a shot to interview and I knocked it down. Don’t give up be persistent and GOOD LUCK!

hi, what excel class did you take?

 

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