I'm a student at a target school for quant - (MIT/Stanford...). My GPA is a 4.0 but I got some unideal grades for math and CS classes (B-C range). Would quant shops like Jane Street or DE Shaw care about this or would only GPA matter? Would love to hear from some quants in the industry.
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Quant shops like Jane Street or DE Shaw are known for their rigorous standards, and while your overall GPA is impressive, specific grades in math and CS courses can carry significant weight. Based on the most helpful WSO content:
GPA vs. Course Grades: While a high GPA like 4.0 is a strong signal, quant firms often scrutinize grades in core quantitative and technical subjects (e.g., math, CS, statistics). A B or C in these areas might raise questions about your technical depth, especially since these courses are directly relevant to the work.
Firm-Specific Expectations: For example, DE Shaw has been noted to have extremely high GPA expectations, often favoring candidates with near-perfect or perfect GPAs in relevant coursework. Similarly, firms like Jane Street value strong technical foundations and may look closely at your performance in math and CS classes.
Mitigating Factors: Strong internship experience, coding projects, or independent research can help offset less-than-ideal grades. Demonstrating practical skills and a deep understanding of quantitative concepts through projects or competitions (e.g., Kaggle, trading simulations) can also strengthen your profile.
Networking and Fit: Beyond grades, quant firms value candidates who demonstrate genuine interest in trading, problem-solving, and their specific culture. Networking with alumni or professionals at these firms can provide insights and potentially help mitigate concerns about specific grades.
In summary, while your overall GPA is a strong asset, quant shops will likely pay attention to your grades in math and CS courses. To strengthen your application, focus on showcasing your technical skills, relevant experience, and passion for the field.
Sources: MIT vs. Princeton vs. Yale undergrad for quant hedge fund, Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, Does GPA matter for Private Equity?, Q&A: Top Quant Firms First Year Comp 250k to 400k, So you want to be a Quant?
They don’t care. The only point of verifying transcript is to double check your school and major and grad date. Unless you declared a 4.0 and transcript says 2.5 and the minimum requirement for the job is 3.0.
Most companies outsource this to background checking companies anyways. Meaning 1. JS might not even check your transcript 2. Even if they do they will never see it 3. Even if they see it they won’t be going over your classes in detail
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