Will my 3.4 GPA destroy my way to banking?
Hi. I’m a graduate student from a target business school. I’m going to find a fulltime IBD job but worried my low graduate school GPA (3.4) will block me from getting interviews. I have almost perfect undergraduate GPA (3.9, top 5%) and internship experiences in hedge fund, boutique IB and Bulge Bracket.
Although my internship experiences are quite solid, I know BB still cares about grades, so will my chances of getting interviews be greatly lowered? If so, is it better to leave out graduate GPA and only write undergraduate GPA, or put expected GPA (3.5) since I’m not graduated yet?
At a target, a 3.4 isn't ideal, but it's really not that bad... gotta network harder to compensate and have a compelling story (that would cover the "explanation" for a low GPA if anyone asks). Like obviously there will people who may stand out more on the basis of grades, so you'll have to compensate. It also means that resume drops/application processes are less likely to pick you, so you may have to network like hell
I thought target graduate business schools usually have grade non-disclosure clauses?
3.4 isn't "bad" just chill out, apply EVERYWHERE, and network.
3.4 at a target with solid BB internships? Mate you're golden, I wouldn't worry one bit.
I've seen much worse make it into banking. You've got this.
Yes it will. You are doomed.
I'd recommend seeking out trade jobs at BOCES.
GPA is stuck in the 3.4 range. (Originally Posted: 11/07/2010)
Cant seem to escape. Feels bad, what should I do?
There is absolutely no reason for a person's GPA to be stuck in the 3.4 range if they are legitimately trying to raise it. Look people when have 3.4 GPAs and "study a lot", but if you really are serious about changing it then you need to devote more time to studying and less time to internet/drinking. Everyone is different, some people learn really quickly others take away to absorb new info. I for one am an extremely slow writer which is why I do paper's days in advance.....2 pages could take me over 6 hours.
Adapt to your strengths to compensate for your weaknesses.
You could give this a try: http://www.myfullerbrush.com/sticky.htm
Gekko21 is right though. GPA is largely a function of effort. The amount of effort required depends on the person. Sounds like you need to put in some extra time and perhaps give up some time-consuming leisure activities.
Get more A's? Keep yourself organized better and allot periods of time to study. Never overestimate your future ability to not procrastinate. Spend less time jacking off, browsing the net, etc.
pad your course load with easy A's.....no one ever looks at what you take. Its only about what you can put on your resume. 3.5 or bust though.
I get tons of A's but its those few classes I will get a C or B in or something.
go to office hours, study sessions
seek outside help
I know a guy from college whose dad was board-level at a Fortune 100 -- he would tell his son at report card time: "Son, you are not pulling straight A's. Why were you at a party last week?"
That's good advice.
Like Gekko said, everyone learns differently. I have to read something quite a few times before it gets ingrained in my brain. Find your weakness and work on it.
its not a problem. just means ur also stuck in back office
No one is 'stuck' in 3.4. If I can work bust my ass from a 3.2 (end of soph year) to past the cutoff by FT recruiting, you sure as hell can 'break out' of a 3.4.
I don't get a lot of these "I failed a test" or "I have X.X GPA" tell me what to do threads ... Maybe I'm missing something, but what do you expect a forum of strangers to tell you about how to raise your GPA? Stop letting yourself off the hook and hold yourself accountable... Its not like someone on here is going to provide you with magic bullets to ace tests... Bust your ass and make things happen... Devote more time, talk to professors, study with people smarter than you... These are all things you know how to do... Stop looking for explanations to make you feel better and handle your business.
Everyone on this forum who broke into the industry worked their ass off... The most successful people in the world are often the least comfortable.
^^^^ good post
What do you expect people on this forum to tell you besides "study more.". You need to stop letting yourself off the hook and start holding yourself accountable for your grades. You don't want to hear it but every grade that isn't an A is your fault. Its up to you to make your GPA happen... If you need to pull all nighters then pull them. Everyone on here got to where they are by busting their ass.
The most successful people in the world are often the least comfortable.
^^^ sorry about the double post there... On my bb right now and didn't think the first one went thru... You'll get there though man... Don't get discouraged
Recruiting - Semi-target with around a 3.4 (Originally Posted: 07/14/2010)
So I'm in somewhat of a pickle. At a semi-target with around a 3.4 GPA. So not really set up for the best opportunities. The thing is I have an F on my transcript from last semester (long story) which when replaced next semester would put my GPA up to a 3.6, and thats without the boost I would be getting from doing well in other classes. Question is, would I have any opportunity to go through recruitment later with my 1st semester grades locked down (which if all goes well could get my GPA up to around a 3.7), or do i bite the bullet and just do fall.
cheers
If you network you can explain this grading error to people you talk to. Can you clarify, are we talking about internship recruiting or full-time? In either case, I wouldn't wait til Spring recruiting season. You will miss many deadlines for applying for jobs and make it harder on yourself. 3.4 isn't bad either, it should be doable.
oh yeah, my bad. its full-time. going to be a senior next year. Assuming the GPA hit severely limits my recruiting chances, are there absolutely no opportunities past the fall?
also its not really a grading "error", although i guess i can spin it anyway i want
i got my full time offer in the spring semester (in january, but still spring semester)
im still seeing more and more IB job postings at my school for recent graduates, and its freakin july
Doing fall recruiting doesn't preclude you from picking up any opportunities that arise in the spring, does it?
Predicament - Graduated from a target with a 3.4 (Originally Posted: 10/24/2011)
I've been reading this site since I was a senior in college trying to figure out how to get my foot in the door at an investment bank, though this is my first time actually posting anything. I have always been impressed by the quality of the comments and the insight that other users have offered, and I'm hoping that somebody can offer me a bit of advice.
I graduated from a target school in 2008 and earned a decent (3.4) GPA as a finance major. With the world going to hell as the financial crisis was raging, I felt pretty lucky to get a job at a middle market investment bank. I have remained at this bank since graduation and was promoted recently. We have steady dealflow and my experience overall has been quite good. Moreover, at this point in my career there, I know I am valued by the senior bankers in my group and that my long-term prospects there are very safe if I choose to remain as a banker. I have no complaints about the money or the quality of life -- we work pretty hard, but I have never felt that they have failed to reward me at the end of the year.
My predicament is this: I just don't want to be a banker anymore.
I would not trade what I have learned in my 3.5 years for anything, but it honestly makes my stomach turn to think that I could be doing the same thing I'm doing now for the next ~20 years. The deals are all pretty much the same at this point regardless of the client - the same process, the same type of work, the same type of thinking required.
While I've been successful as a banker thus far, I think that my personality and interests probably make me best suited for sales and trading and I desparately want to make the move. To do this for real I know I would need to land at a larger MM or BB firm. Here's my question: am I already pigeon holed as a banker? If I were to move to S&T would I have to start all over or will I get any credit for my experience in banking? Has anybody ever made a similar move?....I really want to try this sooner rather than later. I get the feeling that if I don't do something soon I'll wake up one day in 10 years doing the same shit I do now and be really stuck.
You could always try to lateral within your bank, might be a little difficult to convince another bank why they should hire you if you have no S&T experience.
Alternatively, you could go back to school (be it MBA or some sort of masters/PhD program). One of my mentors worked on a mortgage desk during the recession, then left when that went downhill and got his MBA, and is now trading equity derivatives. I don't know how common that is, but take from it what you will.
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