First year, non-target, ideal path/advice?

Hello everyone. I am new to this site and recently took interest in the investment banking industry. However, I attend UCSB and our resources are limited but apparently successful in connecting students with alumni within the industry.

I am a first year student and I like to think I have a solid resume; I helped start a construction business with my father, marketing internship with my schools athletics department (6 months ~ 4 hours a week), and managed to land an internship with PwC for this summer. However, last quarter was a pain in the a** and my GPA dropped to a 3.02, which is obviously low for investment banking.

What do you guys suggest and think about my first year accomplishments? Are they common? Off to a good start? Need to step it up (obviously for the GPA section)?

Thanks!!!

 
Best Response

Getting into banking is 85% how well you can sell yourself/ your ideas and 15% technical knowledge. My advise is as follows for your situation. 1. Research the industry, you better have a good explanation for why you want to be in investment banking. 2. Choose extra curricular's/courses that complement your explanation. (investment clubs etc.) 3. Exercise your independence by filling your free time with things of value, read the ft, moneyweek, etc. 4. Manage a mock portfolio to learn about your own personal investment style, then try it with real money (a small amount) to see how behavioural finance affects you.*This is important for gauging how your disposition sits within IB 5. Be honest with yourself about why you want to go into IB and don't take yourself seriously at first 6. Step up the GPA

Just one guys opinion
 
Inv3stor:

Getting into banking is 85% how well you can sell yourself/ your ideas and 15% technical knowledge. My advise is as follows for your situation.
1. Research the industry, you better have a good explanation for why you want to be in investment banking.
2. Choose extra curricular's/courses that complement your explanation. (investment clubs etc.)
3. Exercise your independence by filling your free time with things of value, read the ft, moneyweek, etc.
4. Manage a mock portfolio to learn about your own personal investment style, then try it with real money (a small amount) to see how behavioural finance affects you.*This is important for gauging how your disposition sits within IB
5. Be honest with yourself about why you want to go into IB and don't take yourself seriously at first
6. Step up the GPA

This exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks a lot!

Any other recommendations and/or advice is appreciated.

 
yeahright:

Only advice is transfer from the non-target. You'll thank me later.

Transfer rates are incredibly low coming from a mid tier UC.

Do you guys think my PwC internship will look good for sophomore year internships? What would a typical first year student lined up for their summer?

 
yeahright:

Only advice is transfer from the non-target. You'll thank me later.

Actually, after much thought, I will mostly likely attempt to transfer to NYU Stern. I should have about a 3.3-3.4 by the time I apply (next April).

Any advice for admission into Stern? How cut throat will it be from there?

I looked at the transfer acceptance rate and it was about 30% and read in multiple forums that Stern accept rate is between 15% and 25%. In other words, worth a shot in my opinion.

 

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