Low GPA/Non-target Success Story

Not here to brag, but to maybe offer some inspiration for those in a similar situation. After recruiting hard the past year and a half, I received and accepted a full-time analyst position from a decent-sized fund on the west coast. My GPA isn't great (3.1) and I attend a university that isn't even close to being known by anyone in finance.

It truly is a numbers/connections game; I sent out over 300 cold emails talked to dozens of PMs and put in countless hours researching funds, preparing for interviews and all it took was one more email to the right firm. If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen.

At risk of sounding like one of "those" LinkedIn posts; Thanks to all of you in the industry that provide quality advice on this form & a special thanks to ValueJedije for reviewing my stock pitch, challenging my assumptions, and teaching me some valuable lessons.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.9%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.8%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.8%
  • AQR Capital Management 94.7%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.8%
  • Blackstone Group 96.8%
  • Two Sigma Investments 95.7%
  • Citadel Investment Group 94.6%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 97.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 96.9%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.8%
  • Citadel Investment Group 94.8%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (23) $474
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (6) $322
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (24) $287
  • Manager (4) $282
  • Engineer/Quant (71) $274
  • 2nd Year Associate (30) $251
  • 1st Year Associate (73) $190
  • Analysts (225) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (23) $131
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (250) $85
notes
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success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”