GPA/Resume Concern
I am an idiot with next to no experience, and I may have fucked up in a huge way.
I'm in college and over winter break I interviewed at a hedge fund in chicago. I have a trash GPA (2.9) but I had my interview before the fall semesters grade were released. Knowing that 2.9 is a crap GPA, I didn't include it on my resume. As I should have expected though, it was the first question that they asked me (What's your GPA). I had a good semester and expected to raise my GPA, but I didn't check before my interview and I ended up screwing up on some of my finals and not really changing my GPA. Whenever the interviewer asked me the question, I answered with what I thought I would end up with, a 3.1.
I checked my grade afterwards and found that I did not really improve my GPA. I also got my offer from the hedge fund for a Summer analyst position.
The fund probably has 25-40 people, and I haven't begun the onboarding process, so I don't know if they will ask for my transcript. In short, I unintentionally lied in my interview. My question is what should I do?
Just hope that they don’t ask for a transcript. If they do, then just send it and hope they don’t notice/say anything about it. Not much you can do at this point, I probably wouldn’t say anything or email them at this point.
Is your major GPA higher? If so, maybe you can say that was what you were referring to if they confront you.
A little bit. I took some courses at a community college and transfered them in. They're not factored into my university GPA, but my GPA would be closer to accurate if they were factored in.
Well then there you go, that's your explanation. TBH, if they were willing to accept you with a 3.1, then either:
* They don't care much about GPA
* Your resume is otherwise great or it's a great fit
* You nailed the interview process
A number of 'prestige' places wouldn't even let you get past first round with a 3.1, especially if you're not from a target school and/or don't already have experience. Congrats on your offer, enjoy it!
If I am still in school, as this is for a summer associate role, are they more likely to ask for my transcript within the next couple of weeks or nearer to my start date? I believe can bring my gpa up this semester
This. You are in. If they ask, you have the answer above. People in finance play this game all the time, re projections etc.
You have the internship. Crush it and it will make any GPA stuff relatively meaningless and you will have a full time offer or be able to put it on your resume to get one. That's the stuff that matters more than how well you can write papers or do some dumb tests.
Work hard, be likeable, be liked, do a good job and of course meet as many people as possible and hopefully you can get a full time offer.
Good Luck
Nothing you can do now but GPA is a lot less relevant for smaller shops. Just be charismatic and show that you can add value if you get to a spot in an interview. When looking for a landing spot volume is key, reach out to as many small shops as you can find. They don't care nearly as much if you did your homework in college, rather if you can add to their PnL
You'll probably be alright - It doesn't look like your GPA was the reason that the HF chose you in the first place. And come to think of it, is there a big difference between 2.9 and 3.1? I've never had an employer follow up about the GPA.
Honestly more impress you got in with a 3.1, sounds like you’ll be fine.
i've never seen a firm do background/transcript checks for summer interns...its just not worth the time/cost. Consider the summer internship as a 2 month long interview...everyday you are interviewing for a full-time job, and going forward, act accordingly.
regardless...i agree with the above that you can always say, if asked, that you included your prior school when you calced your GPA...but i doubt you will ever be asked
I had extensive FBI level background checks for all my summers starting my sophomore year at the HF I was at and even had a minor inaccuracy get snagged and I had to explain it. Simply incorrect info, all top HFs and banks do.
This. I've had pretty deep background checks except except for at the boutique I started off at. A 25-40 person fund probably won't even ask for transcripts
Slightly related to this - How much does your GPA matter once applying to your next role after your first job?
HOLD IT TO YOUR CHEST UNLESS BROUGHT DOWN BY SWAT TEAM. DENY DENY DENY ALLEGATIONS. RESIST IMPEACHMENT.
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