2.3 GPA going into Sophomore Year

Gonna need a game-plan guys and some honesty. What’s going against me: Low GPA (school does 4.3 system so I can pull it up) Non target (School does place but in the workshop program which I didn’t get into) No crazy network (I am working on local and some MM shops but nothing good BB wise. Building up my own network that has been good but nothing compared to a family member in the business) What’s going for me: I am diveristy (Hispanic and visibly brown,no Spanish name) Resume (Sold my business for a little under 100k, have internship this summer and next fall, Varsity captain sports team highschool, other good extracurriculars and work experience) Soft skills (Very good during networking, gotten either offer or good feedback during interviews, can sell very well if needed (example being my company) Genuine interest (I genuinely enjoy learning technicals, working on my modeling skills, talking with people in the industry and getting familiar with it. Can display this interest in conversation well) I understand that my junior summer internship chances are looking rough quite frankly. Here is where I think my current priorities should be Raise GPA no matter the cost (if I can pull off all A+ scores and take summer revisions etc I can save my GPA) Network (I am good with people and am creating a strong network already, will continue shooting higher and higher) Become smart(on paper I am stupid, but if I can learn more than the people I am competing against I will stand out especially good modeling and industry know how) Internships (despite being a non target I am in a half decent location for local experience. Lots of small PE and LMM IB shops which I have developed a strong network at to bypass GPA screenings) Self awareness (I fucked up and I can’t afford to do that especially given I’m a non target. I’m asking for advice because I know kids have broken in with low GPA’s just not conventionally. I want to hear about that) TLDR; I have a low GPA but some stuff going for me, I also really want to work in this field badly please drop any and all advice/tips

17 Comments
 

Keep it off your resume. 2.3 is pretty abysmal and no employer will look your direction. It seems you have one semester to bring it up, and assuming you get a 4.0 (or a 4.3 as mentioned) then, you’ll at best be at a 3.0? All assumptions but assuming that, you’ll still be insanely low, especially from a non-target. I would advise to try your hardest to spam diversity programs as much as possible. It seems that may be your only chance at this point.

 

Transfer to a target and study like crazy when you get there, then leave GPA from current school off your resume

 

Dude, 99% chance that you're not breaking into banking with a 2.3. It seems like you've got a knack for entrepreneurship, you've sold companies already- work on that instead. You'll make more money than bankers and you also will have a shot of being successful at it. I'm sorry, but a 2.3 is simply inexcusable from the viewpoint of any banker. 

If you really want to break in, just lie about your GPA on your resume. High risk, high reward. I don't see any other way that you get an interview.

 

You think if I can get it to a 3.5 I’ll have small chance? Or a 3.8 for full time recruiting

I like entrepreneurship a lot but quite honestly there is a lot of risk involved with it. Banking at least provides safety net of employment

 

3.5 you'll have a fighting shot. 3.8 and you're beginning to level the playing field and you have a perfectly good shot. however fulltime recruiting is harder bc less spots. just fight to get ur gpa up, dont go into it with high hopes. you probably will not break in, but if you do, be pleasantly surprised. best of luck

EDIT: I forgot you said you were diversity. You'll be just fine with a 3.5 (not trolling)

 

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