I am curious about which one is better. I'm a first generation for college and I can't decide whether I should go to a target like Ross and end up with a 3.2 GPA or go to an easier college like OSU and get a 3.8/4.0 GPA. My goal isn't necessarily to get an IBD position straight out of undegrad (though, that would be perfect), but to go to a top business school (M7) and go from there. Any advice would be appreciated.
Also, how is Indiana Uni's Kelley school of business?
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Not sure if im correct or totally off base but IMO non target 3.8> target 3.2 especially because alot of targets inflate their grading. I would liken a 3.8 at a non target to a 3.4 or so at a target. Obviously brand name is a huge thing and most everyone would take a 3.4 harvard grad over a 3.8 OSU grad. Not sure theyd take a 3.2 Ross grad over a 3.8 OSU grad though. Just my 2 cents
Ross 3.8
A lot of targets have grade inflation so it's pretty hard to get low GPAs (Ross being one of those).
If there's grade inflation, then I'm sure I could get at least a 3.4 at Ross.
Non-target 3.8> Target 3.2..But just get a 3.8 at Ross. Don't choose a school based on what GPA you think you'll achieve. Go to Ross, buckle down for 2.5 years, get a 3.6+, then coast through once you have a SA offer...And Kelley places alright (good for its perceived caliber), there were always a couple of IU kids at the superdays I went to.
If you're above average I'm sure you'll get higher than a 3.2. Follow directions and study.
As of 2008 the average UM gpa was like 3.27. I would post link but site does not permit me to do so.
Target like ross lol
why do you think you'll get a 3.2 at ross but a 3.8 at OSU?
Target. End of discussion.
+1. I went to a non-target and have low grades to top it off. My school's name (or lack thereof) has hindered my recruiting far, far more than my GPA ever could. To put this in perspective for you: I have to network for virtually every opportunity I find, and once I get to an interview, the "why x-school?" question always implies "why this weak-ass non-target?"
I think that if the deciding factor is what your GPA might be like, then there isn't even a decision to be made. Go to the target school.
You're being overly insecure. It is a perfectly innocent question and in no way implies that you went to a shitty school, even if you did.
LOL you're going to meet someone from OSU one day and get yourself laid out with that mouth.
Seriously, do you think that OSU textbooks only have pictures while investment-banking-targets get the real ones with numbers and words?
It's the same education wherever you go. The only difference is that targets have more grade inflation, which is why they have over time become targets. If you can get a 3.8 at OSU then you can get at least a 3.8 with the exact same effort at a place like Ross.
However, if you're so stupid that you think that a 3.2 student from Ross would be a 3.8 at OSU, then you aren't going to pull a 3.8 at either one hombre.
This guy clearly goes to OSU haha
No, my degrees are from Texas schools. Just stating the obvious.
Personally, I'd take a 3.2 at the target because you still have access to a strong alumni network and you never know what can happen with effective networking. Most kids at non-targets are never given an opportunity to show their aptitude, despite many of them being more than capable.
Also take into account that if you are anything like most bankers I know, you thrive in competitive environments and fail in environments that don't challenge you. Every non-A I have ever gotten has been in some bullshit core requirement class with a hundred kids that don't give a fuck about school. I'd imagine OSU would be filled with more kids like that than Ross.
Low GPA at a target is better in my opinion. Networking will be be easier and you'll have much exposure to firms at Ross.
Would you rather have a 3.0 at a target or have a 3.8 at a non-target? (Originally Posted: 09/12/2011)
Assume you both have strong on-campus involvement and ECs.
It has been my experience that a good network, supportive friends, and the right last name matter way more than your school or GPA.
3.0 at a target. Five years into your career when you're conducting business and people ask you where you went to school, you have a great name to drop. No one asks you what your GPA was...
3.0 at a target = 5.0 at a non-target
Not enough info is given as assumptions here.
I'll take the 3.8 in Applied Math at CalTech every day.
such a low gpa won't get you an interview on campus unless you know someone in the know because there are tons of 4.0 kids at target schools...
2.5 at a target
1-up!
Target Cashier? $8/hr plus benefits right?
2-up!
Gold. +1 SB
You need to be more specific. I'll def take a 3.0 at Harvard/Yale/Princeton/Stanford over a 3.8 at University of Florida, but I'd prob take a 3.8 at Georgia Tech over a 3.0 at Cornell.
Honestly, I would take a 2.0 at a target. GPA is a function of knowing how to study, not being smart. Either way no one cares about your GPA. I've been asked where I went to college a ton of times, never once my GPA.
I'll take the 3.8 at the non-target. Your gpa can haunt you or help you in the future if you intend on going to business school.
2.5 at a REAL target > 4.0 at non-target
out of curiosity, what do people consider to be target schools, and is it clearly defined and understood? is it:
ivies? ivies + Stanford / Chicago / MIT? ivies + Stanford / Chicago / MIT + top publics (i.e Berkely, UCLA, Mich, etc)?
or just wherever banks happen to be recruiting these days?
where is the line between targets / semi-targets?
use the search function and you'll find many a detailed discussion on this
As someone who goes to a top target, let me tell you, you are not going to get any interviews for IBD with a 3.3 or less unless you are a minority and can recruit during sophomore year or are good friends with a 2nd yr analyst (or above) who can push your resume. Even less than a 3.5 makes it very difficult. The problem with target unis is that it is so easy to apply that everyone does it...and if a bank receives hundreds of applications through one resume drop they don't really have a choice but to essentially rank them by GPA. sad but true.
This is just for graduate recruitment, i assume later on, your university does become more important than your gpa.
False comparison
3.0 Target brah
id take 3.8 at a non-target.
first a 3.5 gpa is pretty much handed to you at a target (come on guys you know its true) so getting anything lower is pretty sad.
non-target schools have more gpa deflation and from personal experience professors can only give out a specific numbers of As, Bs, Cs, etc. I know Wake Forest has this problem.
False. Completely false.
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